Photo "ownership" for competitions

[spt29970]

I tried sending this to intlcomp@laups.org but it bounced due to an overquota error, so I decided to post it here and see if there is a consensus.

I have a great "self" portrait that I would like to enter in the LAUPS competition, but the question I have is about the role of assistants in image creation. For the image in question, I set up the camera, settings, and composition, but since I wanted to be in the image, I had an assistant hold the camera and press the shutter release. Is this image "mine" or his? Can I enter it or not? I understand that this is a gray region.

 

[livewire]

Considering circumstances you describe, I would say the image is yours. Since composition and exposure are all yours, and your assistant merely pulled the trigger (the human form of a remote shutter release) then the image is owned by you. Why even ask though? Is your assistant trying to claim ownership? Not familiar with the LAUPS rules, or how they would affect this one.

 

[spt29970]

No, my assistant is fine with it. I am just trying to be intellectually honest.

 

[DivePhotoGuide]

Although I agree that your assistant in this case was the human equivalent to a remote shutter release, you may want to get him to sign a small basic release to that end. Nothing major, but hey, ya never know!

 

[Fastmarc]

IMO, I would kinda consider this picture taken by the assistant. Though you had set up the camera and suggest the composition, he had to physically hold the camera and frame the picture.
Very gray...

 

[DivePhotoGuide]

Very gray indeed. I would get a release from the assistant stating that he was a human tripod and auto release.

 

[spt29970]

It is interesting to hear the range of responses. They are running diametrically opposed.