StR
Quick Stop
Joined: 16 Aug 2007
Posts: 37
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 Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 3:42 pm GMT Post subject: Why I didn't go to EBC. |
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I did not go to EBC (Eastern Balboa Championships).
Not a big deal: I didn't go to many dance events. What makes this one special?
I was (actually we were) very tempted to go there, and almost registered for it once the registration opened. So, what stopped me?
I read the rules that accompany the registration... and decided not to go.
As some San Diego dancers know, I enjoy taking photos at dance events. So, what did I find in the rules?
| Quote: | Photographs:
By clicking the Submit button and registering for EBC, you agree that in return for allowing you to photograph during EBC, that you will abide by the following rules: If you post images, they CANNOT have watermarks. If you post images, EBC retains the right to use them in any way. You CANNOT sell photographs taken at EBC.
If EBC requests copies, you must provide them without watermarks in high-quality digital format if they originated in digital format, otherwise prints will suffice. EBC reserves the right to determine acceptable usage of photographs taken at EBC.
EBC retains ownership of any and all photographs, digital, film or print, taken at EBC.
These rules apply to ALL photos taken at EBC, past, present and future. |
I must? provide...? I owe EBC results of my work? Do they want a first-born as well?
While for most dancers this is irrelevant, to me it sounds offensive. For people who are taking snapshots of themselves and their close friends, - it might not a big deal, because it is very unlikely that the EBC will be interested in their personal photos.
Very few dance events (most of which are community-oriented in nature) limit photography.
In those rare cases when it happens (e.g. ASTF did not allow flash photography), I disagree but respect it.
The EBC organizers did not forbid photography, they did much worse: they decided that they have the right to own your photos. Some might say: big deal, - just don't take photos. It's not that easy. It's a torture for a photographer to be at a very interesting (photography-wise) event (besides everything else, EBC coincided with Halloween), see others taking photos (albeit with their point-and-shoot cameras) and not to be able doing it yourself.
As some event organizers in San Diego and other places know, - I don't mind to work with the event organizers if they need photos for their promotional needs. But I don't want to be a slave.
Actually, I received some legal advice that such rules wouldn't stand challenge in court. But I don't want to waste my time and energy for courts.
Hence, I decided not to go at all.
The EBC organizers would not notice absence of two dancers (by far not the "top" ones) who did not go to the previous EBC either.
PS.
For some time, I thought if I should post this and if so, - where.
EBC doesn't have its own forum, and I am not aware of the forum for that area. The event website (iBalboa.com) doesn't have any contact information (except in the payment area - e-mail address for PayPal payments) - which IMHO is weird by itself. (Is this why Chris Owens calls it "the bad-boy black-sheep of Balboa competitions"?)
Of course, after some investigative work, I could guess that Chris Owens, whose name appears as c/o on the payments page, is likely to be an organizer, and I could find his own website (whatashuffle.com).
But if the organizers are not interested in being contacted in the first place, - why should I insist?
If you know Chris Owens (and Holly? and/or other EBC organizers(?)) - feel free to forward him (them) a link to this posting.
PPS. After posting the message, I found this strip on WTD.
I am not looking for paid gigs at dance events, but this cartoon is still relevant.
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