No doubt due to the public outcry, and to avoid the appearance of using people’s work for “exposure”, Apple added this paragraph to the very end of their recent press release:
Apple believes strongly that artists should be compensated for their work. Photographers who shoot the final 10 winning photos will receive a licensing fee for use of such photos on billboards and other Apple marketing channels.
Good solution.
The strangest part of this “controversy” is that the Shot On iPhone campaign has been going on since the iPhone 6 was featured back in 2015 and this is the first year in which anyone has a problem with participants’ compensation.
It’s also a bit strange that the participants themselves aren’t the source of the controversy, instead it’s from people who likely won’t even look at the winners let alone participate.
“this is the first year in which anyone has a problem with participants’ compensation.”
Not true. It’s just the first time the “mainstream” tech media has noticed. Photographers have *always* noticed.
“It’s also a bit strange that the participants themselves aren’t the source of the controversy, instead it’s from people who likely won’t even look at the winners let alone participate.”
Also not true. I’m a big fan of the campaign, while also being a critic of it.
“Finally.”
But it’s only of “immense value” if that’s the kind of currency you want. For example, let’s say my wife, a non-professional photographer, has a photo chosen for inclusion. She’s an occupational therapist. Which has more “value” for her do you think – a check from Apple or “worldwide recognition” for a photo she took?
I know what she’d pick.
For me, as a professional photographer, maybe inclusion would have “value” – but I sure as hell would prefer a check from Apple.
?
Yeah, I think it’s fair to say this has always been a problem but only this year became a noisy enough problem for Apple to notice and fix.
And you know what? Good on the media for calling them out on it. And good on Apple for fixing it. This is how the world improves, tiny step by tiny step. (I’m aware this isn’t a fix for world hunger or whatever, but not everything has to be.)
I agree with what Brad Fortin said… although I get that there are exceptions to every rule. Also, getting your photo plastered on billboards across the world has immense value… just sayin…