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Microstock Photography Forum - General => General Stock Discussion => Topic started by: MatHayward on August 15, 2011, 13:14

Title: Contract for Motley Crue, Poison and the New York Dolls Photo Pass
Post by: MatHayward on August 15, 2011, 13:14
Last Friday I was excited to shoot Motley Crue, Poison and the New York Dolls at the Tacoma Dome.  It was a moderately frustrating experience though as they kept us in a holding pen near security for the majority of the night.  We were allowed to shoot the first 2 songs (standard is 3) and were only allowed to stand in front of the sound board about 125 yards away from the stage, on the floor behind all the jumping and screaming fans with floor seating.  

I knew it was going to be soundboard shooting so I brought a Canon 400mm f/2.8L IS which if you have ever shot with you know is a heavy SOB!  Trying to lift that above the heads of thousands of fans...not easy.  

They had us sign a contract that essentially gives them the rights to use my pics for whatever reason they want.  That was totally cool with me, I would love it if Motley Crue used one of my pics for their web site or whatever.  Just for the cool factor you know?  

Then it said I agree not to license the materials (or shall not exploit any of the materials) without the written consent of Motley Crue.  

I wrote and asked if I could submit to Alamy and Shutterstock and heard back almost immediately...no friggin way!  That got me worried about what they meant by exploiting the materials so I wrote back to ask  about Facebook and my personal blog.  They said that was fine as long as I didn't sell the pics.

I shoot a lot of concerts, the only other band that made me sign a contract similar to this was X-Japan.  Theirs was even scarier.  I sure hope this isn't a trend that takes off with all the bigger bands.    

Mat
Title: Re: Contract for Motley Crue, Poison and the New York Dolls Photo Pass
Post by: grp_photo on August 15, 2011, 14:59
Stuff like this was the reason I gave up music-photography a long time ago, and come on Mötley Crüe and Poison are really bad and has seen their best times long ago. I bought the first Mötley Crüe LP but that was 30 years ago and even in my young naivety I recognized that there was only one okay song on it and that was Live Wire. Really bad music and stupid styling!
Title: Re: Contract for Motley Crue, Poison and the New York Dolls Photo Pass
Post by: Sean Locke Photography on August 15, 2011, 15:29
They had us sign a contract that essentially gives them the rights to use my pics for whatever reason they want.  That was totally cool with me, I would love it if Motley Crue used one of my pics for their web site or whatever.  Just for the cool factor you know?  

So, you're fine with putting professional band photographers out of work?

Basically, they get a bunch of people to come in with nice cameras, shoot for free, and they get perpetual rights to do with the images what they want?  Good deal for them.
Title: Re: Contract for Motley Crue, Poison and the New York Dolls Photo Pass
Post by: sharpshot on August 15, 2011, 15:43
You would think they would want all the exposure they can get.  I can understand Lady Gaga making photographers do whatever she wants, as she is as big as it gets but this lot are a few decades past their peak.  I think I would probably want a large fee to photograph them now.
Title: Re: Contract for Motley Crue, Poison and the New York Dolls Photo Pass
Post by: MatHayward on August 15, 2011, 17:07

So, you're fine with putting professional band photographers out of work?

Basically, they get a bunch of people to come in with nice cameras, shoot for free, and they get perpetual rights to do with the images what they want?  Good deal for them.


Actually Sean, I am a professional band photographer and no, I don't think agreeing to the terms they set forth in order for me to fulfill my assignment posed any risk to jeopardizing the career of other shooters.

I wasn't shooting for Motley Crue, I was assigned to the shoot.  It's just a bummer that I can't use them for anything other than my original assignment. 

Many of my colleagues opted to not even apply for the pass having heard the nightmare stories from shooters at previous shows.  They have their own photographers (including the bass player) so I'll be shocked if they do ever use any of my work.

I made the most of the situation though and I am still very glad to have had the opportunity to shoot the show. 

http://www.verbicidemagazine.com/2011/08/15/photo-gallery-motley-crue-poison-and-new-york-dolls-in-tacoma-wa-81211/ (http://www.verbicidemagazine.com/2011/08/15/photo-gallery-motley-crue-poison-and-new-york-dolls-in-tacoma-wa-81211/)

www.haywardphoto.blogspot.com (http://www.haywardphoto.blogspot.com)

Mat
Title: Re: Contract for Motley Crue, Poison and the New York Dolls Photo Pass
Post by: Mantis on August 15, 2011, 18:39
Mat,

These are very nice.  Great job.
Title: Re: Contract for Motley Crue, Poison and the New York Dolls Photo Pass
Post by: MatHayward on August 15, 2011, 18:49
Mat,

These are very nice.  Great job.

Thank you very much Mantis.
Title: Re: Contract for Motley Crue, Poison and the New York Dolls Photo Pass
Post by: WarrenPrice on August 15, 2011, 19:21
So ... you have a 400 2.8.   :o 
Sigh... I just thought a I wanted that 400 5.6.  Now, that sucks.   ;D
Title: Re: Contract for Motley Crue, Poison and the New York Dolls Photo Pass
Post by: Sean Locke Photography on August 15, 2011, 19:28
"Actually Sean, I am a professional band photographer and no, I don't think agreeing to the terms they set forth in order for me to fulfill my assignment posed any risk to jeopardizing the career of other shooters.

I wasn't shooting for Motley Crue, I was assigned to the shoot.  It's just a bummer that I can't use them for anything other than my original assignment.  "

Your original post said nothing about being there for an 'assignment'.
Title: Re: Contract for Motley Crue, Poison and the New York Dolls Photo Pass
Post by: jbarber873 on August 15, 2011, 19:58
   When I used to shoot sports, there were always some people on the sidelines shooting with passes from the PR dept. They were thrilled to be in with the big boys doing real photography, and were happy to shoot for nothing. They just wanted a picture for the wall, and the chance to tell their friends how they were a professional photographer. It was the same at concerts. I can't blame the photographers, it was just fun to them. That's why I got out of that and got into advertising. BTW- Motley Crue- The NY Dolls?- Are they still alive? Did they come in riding their wheelchairs? They were old when I was shooting,and that's a long time gone...
Title: Re: Contract for Motley Crue, Poison and the New York Dolls Photo Pass
Post by: qwerty on August 15, 2011, 23:32

never heard of the New York Dolls

Poison and Motley Crue - they were the bands for those guys at school in year 7 who thought they were hard rockers. Sounds like a dungeons and dragons convention concert.

Cool photos though
Title: Re: Contract for Motley Crue, Poison and the New York Dolls Photo Pass
Post by: MatHayward on August 15, 2011, 23:41


Your original post said nothing about being there for an 'assignment'.

You are right, my bad.  Communication isn't always my strong suit :)
Title: Re: Contract for Motley Crue, Poison and the New York Dolls Photo Pass
Post by: MatHayward on August 15, 2011, 23:44
BTW- Motley Crue- The NY Dolls?- Are they still alive? Did they come in riding their wheelchairs? They were old when I was shooting,and that's a long time gone...

LOL, the New York Dolls definitely looked like they've been rode hard and put away wet. 

Motley Crue looked better than ever.  Though I'm not entirely convinced Mick Mars was actually alive onstage.

Backstage, Vince was strutting around like a peacock with the full on look of "All the chicks want to do me and all the guys want to be me."  It was awesome.  The girls looked like they traveled through time from 1984 to 2011.  It was very nostalgic.  I can't say I wasn't entertained.
Title: Re: Contract for Motley Crue, Poison and the New York Dolls Photo Pass
Post by: MatHayward on August 15, 2011, 23:45
So ... you have a 400 2.8.   :o 
Sigh... I just thought a I wanted that 400 5.6.  Now, that sucks.   ;D

It was rented Warren.  I wish I owned one.  I spent a couple of weeks lugging one around through East Africa and found it's a heavy sob.  Not an everyday shooting lens by any stretch of the imagination.
Title: Re: Contract for Motley Crue, Poison and the New York Dolls Photo Pass
Post by: grp_photo on August 16, 2011, 04:40
Mat,

These are very nice.  Great job.
yeah great photos considering the circumstances, but hey I'm happy to be a photographer so I can get old with style and grace and don't have to look and act like a mop.
Title: Re: Contract for Motley Crue, Poison and the New York Dolls Photo Pass
Post by: WarrenPrice on August 16, 2011, 10:28
So ... you have a 400 2.8.   :o 
Sigh... I just thought a I wanted that 400 5.6.  Now, that sucks.   ;D

It was rented Warren.  I wish I owned one.  I spent a couple of weeks lugging one around through East Africa and found it's a heavy sob.  Not an everyday shooting lens by any stretch of the imagination.

I've been considering the "rent route."  Could really use one on our trip... wildlife in South Dakota and Montana.  My neighbor has done that and suggested it to me.  I'm just so cheap.   ;D
Title: Re: Contract for Motley Crue, Poison and the New York Dolls Photo Pass
Post by: MatHayward on August 16, 2011, 12:33
So ... you have a 400 2.8.   :o 
Sigh... I just thought a I wanted that 400 5.6.  Now, that sucks.   ;D


It was rented Warren.  I wish I owned one.  I spent a couple of weeks lugging one around through East Africa and found it's a heavy sob.  Not an everyday shooting lens by any stretch of the imagination.


I've been considering the "rent route."  Could really use one on our trip... wildlife in South Dakota and Montana.  My neighbor has done that and suggested it to me.  I'm just so cheap.   ;D


I have a local shop I rent from for day use...if you are going on a trip, check these guys out:  http://www.lensprotogo.com/ (http://www.lensprotogo.com/)