2008 Archives
October Headlines
• NPPA-NYPPA joint meeting proclaimed success by members
• NPPA to have a table at Photoplus
• Orphan Works bill must be opposed as it steals your copyright away
Photo Briefs
• 20 great years at the NY Daily News
• Watching the clock at Star Ledger
• Sun Sets
• Out of jail, and back in
• NYPPA cool in the pool
Calendar Items
• Contests coming
• Exhibit: Richard Leibowitz and Frances Roberts - Thursday, September 11 - Saturday, October 11
• NSC in Virginia – rides are available. Course for vital business, multi media skills
• J&R is your source for cameras, computers and entertainment
• NPPF Airborne TV Seminar – register now - Saturday, October 18, Sunday, October 19
• NPPA to have a table at Photoplus
• Orphan Works bill must be opposed as it steals your copyright away
Photo Briefs
• 20 great years at the NY Daily News
• Watching the clock at Star Ledger
• Sun Sets
• Out of jail, and back in
• NYPPA cool in the pool
Calendar Items
• Contests coming
• Exhibit: Richard Leibowitz and Frances Roberts - Thursday, September 11 - Saturday, October 11
• NSC in Virginia – rides are available. Course for vital business, multi media skills
• J&R is your source for cameras, computers and entertainment
• NPPF Airborne TV Seminar – register now - Saturday, October 18, Sunday, October 19
October Articles
NPPA-NYPPA joint meeting proclaimed success by members
More than 75 photographers attended the September 8 joint meeting of NPPA-NYPPA at Trattoria Alba in Manhattan, where mem-bers ate for next to nothing and discussed issues important for the profession. Everyone received the new 2008 NYPPA year in pictures book hot off the press. Sponsors from J&R Music and Computer World and ThinkTank gave prizes for our raffle that sent some home with valuable prizes including a new printer from J&R and ThinkTank.
A multi media presentation by NPPA Region 2 Director Todd Maisel emphasized police-photographer relations, pushing for photographers to act responsibly and respectfully when dealing with the police.
Photographers were advised that they should approach police officers with only respectful and kind words, or to withhold them completely. Photographers were told
that their best friend should be their
camera and recording devices to capture
anyone who acts disrespectful or violates the First Amendment, whether they are law enforcement or private entities.
Anyone who is approached by disrespectful law enforcement officers were told to refrain from answering officers with any type of disdain and to maintain professional manners so that their words don’t complicate high pressure situations. Members were shown photos and videos in which words complicated already tense situations and were also shown situations where silence removed helped to ease tensions at difficult photo shoots.It was also an evening for photographers to get together and discuss other relevant issues, including contest, upcoming seminars that include Flying Short Course and Northern Short Course coming in March.
Those photographers who were members of both organizations received an additional discount for the evening food.
NPPA to have table at Photoplus
The NPPA will have a presence this year at the PhotoPlus Expo organized by Photo District News at the Jacob Javits Center in October. Come visit us at our table at PhotoPlus where we will have valuable information about our organization and will make sure our presence is known among the various sponsors.
PhotoPlus attracts thousands of photographers from around the region and is a mecca for equipment makers and software producers.
Anyone interested in joining us at the table, contact Todd at toddphoto@aol.com
Orphan Work Bill must be opposed as it steals your copyright away
The NPPA has taken a strong stand against the Orphan Works bill that was snuck in during the fog of the financial crisis on Wall Street.
The Senate still needs to address the bill, but we must sound off to legislators against it. Here is a letter sent by Bob Carey, president of the NPPA, against the bill:
Dear Members,
I am writing to alert you that late Friday the Senate passed the Shawn Bentley Orphan Works Act. This bill was passed by unanimous consent and forwarded to the House of Representatives. It is now a real concern that the House of Representatives will adopt the Senate version or amend their own bill H.R. 5889 to match.
As your president, I have written to members of the Senate and House expressing outrage over this action But my feelings about the matter mean nothing unless legislators hear from you, their constituents.
I implore you to immediately contact your representatives in Congress and urge them to oppose this bill. Without a widespread and overwhelming grass-roots message from photographers and visual artists voicing opposition to this draconian law it will be enacted. Once that happens it will eviscerate any real copyright protections for our images and those who infringe upon our livelihoods will be able to do so as the cost of doing business.
According to the language of the bill, even if held liable for copyright infringement "an award for monetary relief (including actual damages, statutory damages, costs, and attorney's fees) may not be made other than an order requiring the infringer to pay reasonable compensation to the owner of the exclusive right under the infringed copyright for the use of the infringed work." The bill defines the term "reasonable compensation" to mean: "with respect to a claim of infringement, the amount on which a willing buyer and willing seller in the positions of the infringer and the owner of the infringed copyright would have agreed with respect to the infringing use of the work immediately before the infringement began."
To make matters even worse, the legislation goes on to state that "an order requiring the infringer to pay reasonable compensation for the use of the infringed work may not be made ... if the infringer is a nonprofit educational institution, museum, library, archives, or a public broadcasting entity, or any of such entities' employees acting within the scope of their employment, and the infringer proves by a preponderance of the evidence that: (i) the infringement was performed without any purpose of direct or indirect commercial advantage; (ii) the infringement was primarily educational, religious, or charitable in nature; and (iii) after receiving a notice of claim of infringement, and having an opportunity to conduct an expeditious good faith investigation of the claim, the infringer promptly ceased the infringement."
Organizations – such as the American Library Association – have been bombarding Congress in support of this legislation. It is essential that creative professionals do the same. This is not to time to be complacent! You can read the text of the Senate bill here.
You can easily write to your Representative using this link, or this link.
NPPA will continue to advocate for our rights and will keep you updated on this important legislation, but it is up to each and every one of you to voice your opposition.
Bob Carey
NPPA president
Photo Briefs
20 great years at the NY Daily News
The New York Daily News has had its good times and bad, but despite it all, Photo Director Michael Lipack and his right hand Jo Barefoot have stuck to it through thick and thin for 20 years this year. We wish them many more great years to come.
Watching the clock at Star Ledger
Our hopes and prayers are with our colleagues at the award winning newspaper the New Jersey Star Ledger. Their owners, Newhouse, have threatened to close or sell the currently money losing newspaper despite 200 editorial people taking buy-outs because of a failure of the drivers union to make what they deem are needed concessions on distribution that would allow the paper to distribute papers other than the Star Ledger on the same truck.
The paper’s owners say they will close the paper if they are unable to get an agreement by Oct. 10.
Sun Sets
While we hope for our colleagues at the Star Ledger, we lament those who will lose their jobs at the New York Sun, which closed its downtown doors after six years. The paper was losing money in each year of operation and management decided, on the day of the single largest market decline ever. Our hearts go out to our collegues.
Out of jail, and back in
Photographer Jason Nicholas, wrongly jailed in Minnesota with more than 25 other journalists during the shameful police actions during the Republican Convention, was bailed out of jail. His bail came as a result of intervention by Region 2 NPPA, and NPPA National attorney Mickey Ostericker and the attorneys from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. He and a Chicago Tribune freelancer were jailed for three days by authorities on trumped up charges for merely doing their job. Unfortunately for Nicholas after he was bailed out of Minnesota, he had to return to New York City where he was re-incarcerated for parole violations in connection with his former criminal record that prevented him from leaving the state.
Despite him not being a member of NPPA, Todd Maisel personally wrote the court a letter asking for his release as he has tried to lead a noble life in photojournalism. The letter was not endorsed by NPPA, but was based on Maisel’s familiarity with the illegal arrests in Minnesota and based on Nicholas’ efforts to lead an honest life. He was unfortunately remanded at this time.
We are collecting names for a petition to be given to his lawyer for next week. Please email me permission to use your name on a petition or even write a letter on his behalf and then email it to toddphoto@aol.com. The petition will not be from NPPA, as NPPA is not endorsing his release. Instead, the petition will be supporting Nicholas’ effort to be a productive member of society.
It is because of what we believe to be an illegal arrest and improper prosecution of someone who was acting as a member of the media, that we write this petition and our letters.
We are further outraged by the arrests of members of the media and believe his continued prosecution, while most others had charges dropped, is more than capricious, but targeted
against him because of his parole violation in pursuit of his need to express himself through
the First Amendment.
Region 2 will be advocating for the National to become more proactive in the future on negotiating in advance of such events to prevent the illegal arrests by police of members of the media.
NYPPA cool in the pool
The New York Press Photographers Association ran this year’s photo pool for both the seventh anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center at Ground Zero and for the visit later in the day by presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain. It is because of this involvement that news agencies and publications from throughout the world were able to get great photographs and excellent positions for this event.
Calendar Items:
Contests Coming
Make it something you can get together quickly. Start your contest entry gathering now so you don’t have to rush. We will be announcing contests and their deadlines as we receive them - not just NPPA but as many as we receive. Stay tuned.
Exhibit: Richard Leibowitz and Frances Roberts
Richard Leibowitz and Frances Roberts have photos in the photo exhibit, "911-Lost" at the Haven Arts Gallery, 50 Bruckner Blvd. Bldg. A, 'da Bronx' running from September 11-October 11.
Take the # 6 train to the 3rd Ave./138th Street stop. Opening night is Thursday September 11 from 5-9 pm.
Let us know if you have an exhibit to announce. We will put up here for your colleagues to see. Email me at toddphoto@aol.com.
NSC in Virginia – rides are available. Courses for vital business, multi media skills
The Northern Short Course will again be held, this year in Virginia – details to be
announced shortly.
The NSC will focus on helping photographers who lose their jobs in the current difficult newspaper market and to help them find alternative means of making a living. We will have specialists on
being self sufficient and making photographers into business entrepreneurs.
Further, NSC will have seminars on Final Cut and becoming multi media specialists,
making photographers into multi skilled professionals who can change their specialties with the market conditions.
If you don’t think you need this kind of help and networking, you are nuts. Not to mention the great parties that we have with your colleagues from throughout the country.
Let us know if you are interested in getting a ride, or want to share a room. We will help people put this together to offset some of the costs of the weekend, which looks like the third week of March. Let me know at toddphoto@aol.com.
J&R is your source for Cameras, Computers and Entertainment
You’ve got to be crazy not to take advantage of your NPPA discount at J&R. Call J&R Corporate department to find out how.
J&R has been a great supporter of photographers and we should use their services when we can.
J&R donated at printer for our raffle at the NPPA-NYPPA meeting and it was won by Bill Turnbull.
We expect to see them again soon supporting our events. Please say hello and thank you to them at the PhotoPlus Expo where they will have a booth. We appreciate their help and you should too.
Here are some events being held at J&R this month.
Kenny Garrett will be performing and signing autographs as part of our next WBGO live remote on October 11th, Sketches of MD, $13.99
On 10-17-08 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees Little Anthony and the Imperials make there first NYC in-store appearance EVER! (Please use this tag) Little Anthony and the Imperials Acapella performance and signing autographs. October 14, 12:30 PM $9.99
On Oct. 10, Tommy James will be signing autographs on Tuesday 11-11, 12:30pm Tommy James Live at the Bitter end $13.99 DVD Tommy James I love Christmas $10.99 CD.
Dion will be signing autographs of his new CD Heroes on Friday 10-3 at 12 pm, Heroes, $13.99 Ollabelle will be performing and signing autographs of there new CD Before this time.
Brian Wilson will be signing autographs on Friday November 21st. at 12:00pm That lucky old sun,
regular $14.99, deluxe $17.99
Trin-I-Tee 5:7 will be performing and signing autographs on Thursday 10-2, T57 Deluxe edition.
$7.99; 10-05-08
Lesley Roy will be performing and signing autographs on Friday 10-3 at 12:30, $9.99.
NPPF Airborne TV Seminar – register now
Less than a month remains to register for the 2008 Airborne TV Seminar in Wichita, Kansas, on October 17th (critiques) and 18th (seminar) or Portland, Oregon with critiques on Saturday evening and the seminar on Sunday October 19th.
Story Telling in Tough Times is this year’s theme and to prove the point, two of our speakers have experienced layoffs in the past year. Anyone who tells stories with video is invited to attend the day long program. This includes TV photographers and reporters and newspaper video journalists. There will be breakout sessions for both photographers and reporters and critiques (DVD only) at both stops.
Speakers include NPPA’s Photographer of the Year, Scott Jensen from KTTU in Anchorage; Editor of the Year, Shawn Montano from KWGN-TV in Denver; Peter Rosen, winner of this year’s NPPA Photojournalism Reporting Award, until recently from KUTV in Salt Lake City; and Deborah Potter, Executive Director of the NewsLab in Washington, DC.
For registration forms and additional information, visit our web site at http://www.nppa.org/workshops/airborne or contact Steve Sweitzer, Airborne Chair sesweitzer.net@gmail.com 317-956-8561. Our FAX machines are open and waiting.
More than 75 photographers attended the September 8 joint meeting of NPPA-NYPPA at Trattoria Alba in Manhattan, where mem-bers ate for next to nothing and discussed issues important for the profession. Everyone received the new 2008 NYPPA year in pictures book hot off the press. Sponsors from J&R Music and Computer World and ThinkTank gave prizes for our raffle that sent some home with valuable prizes including a new printer from J&R and ThinkTank.A multi media presentation by NPPA Region 2 Director Todd Maisel emphasized police-photographer relations, pushing for photographers to act responsibly and respectfully when dealing with the police.Photographers were advised that they should approach police officers with only respectful and kind words, or to withhold them completely. Photographers were told
that their best friend should be their
camera and recording devices to capture
anyone who acts disrespectful or violates the First Amendment, whether they are law enforcement or private entities. Anyone who is approached by disrespectful law enforcement officers were told to refrain from answering officers with any type of disdain and to maintain professional manners so that their words don’t complicate high pressure situations. Members were shown photos and videos in which words complicated already tense situations and were also shown situations where silence removed helped to ease tensions at difficult photo shoots.It was also an evening for photographers to get together and discuss other relevant issues, including contest, upcoming seminars that include Flying Short Course and Northern Short Course coming in March.
Those photographers who were members of both organizations received an additional discount for the evening food.
NPPA to have table at Photoplus
The NPPA will have a presence this year at the PhotoPlus Expo organized by Photo District News at the Jacob Javits Center in October. Come visit us at our table at PhotoPlus where we will have valuable information about our organization and will make sure our presence is known among the various sponsors.
PhotoPlus attracts thousands of photographers from around the region and is a mecca for equipment makers and software producers.
Anyone interested in joining us at the table, contact Todd at toddphoto@aol.com
Orphan Work Bill must be opposed as it steals your copyright away
The NPPA has taken a strong stand against the Orphan Works bill that was snuck in during the fog of the financial crisis on Wall Street.
The Senate still needs to address the bill, but we must sound off to legislators against it. Here is a letter sent by Bob Carey, president of the NPPA, against the bill:
Dear Members,
I am writing to alert you that late Friday the Senate passed the Shawn Bentley Orphan Works Act. This bill was passed by unanimous consent and forwarded to the House of Representatives. It is now a real concern that the House of Representatives will adopt the Senate version or amend their own bill H.R. 5889 to match.
As your president, I have written to members of the Senate and House expressing outrage over this action But my feelings about the matter mean nothing unless legislators hear from you, their constituents.
I implore you to immediately contact your representatives in Congress and urge them to oppose this bill. Without a widespread and overwhelming grass-roots message from photographers and visual artists voicing opposition to this draconian law it will be enacted. Once that happens it will eviscerate any real copyright protections for our images and those who infringe upon our livelihoods will be able to do so as the cost of doing business.
According to the language of the bill, even if held liable for copyright infringement "an award for monetary relief (including actual damages, statutory damages, costs, and attorney's fees) may not be made other than an order requiring the infringer to pay reasonable compensation to the owner of the exclusive right under the infringed copyright for the use of the infringed work." The bill defines the term "reasonable compensation" to mean: "with respect to a claim of infringement, the amount on which a willing buyer and willing seller in the positions of the infringer and the owner of the infringed copyright would have agreed with respect to the infringing use of the work immediately before the infringement began."
To make matters even worse, the legislation goes on to state that "an order requiring the infringer to pay reasonable compensation for the use of the infringed work may not be made ... if the infringer is a nonprofit educational institution, museum, library, archives, or a public broadcasting entity, or any of such entities' employees acting within the scope of their employment, and the infringer proves by a preponderance of the evidence that: (i) the infringement was performed without any purpose of direct or indirect commercial advantage; (ii) the infringement was primarily educational, religious, or charitable in nature; and (iii) after receiving a notice of claim of infringement, and having an opportunity to conduct an expeditious good faith investigation of the claim, the infringer promptly ceased the infringement."
Organizations – such as the American Library Association – have been bombarding Congress in support of this legislation. It is essential that creative professionals do the same. This is not to time to be complacent! You can read the text of the Senate bill here.
You can easily write to your Representative using this link, or this link.
NPPA will continue to advocate for our rights and will keep you updated on this important legislation, but it is up to each and every one of you to voice your opposition.
Bob Carey
NPPA president
Photo Briefs
20 great years at the NY Daily News
The New York Daily News has had its good times and bad, but despite it all, Photo Director Michael Lipack and his right hand Jo Barefoot have stuck to it through thick and thin for 20 years this year. We wish them many more great years to come. Watching the clock at Star Ledger
Our hopes and prayers are with our colleagues at the award winning newspaper the New Jersey Star Ledger. Their owners, Newhouse, have threatened to close or sell the currently money losing newspaper despite 200 editorial people taking buy-outs because of a failure of the drivers union to make what they deem are needed concessions on distribution that would allow the paper to distribute papers other than the Star Ledger on the same truck.
The paper’s owners say they will close the paper if they are unable to get an agreement by Oct. 10.
Sun Sets
While we hope for our colleagues at the Star Ledger, we lament those who will lose their jobs at the New York Sun, which closed its downtown doors after six years. The paper was losing money in each year of operation and management decided, on the day of the single largest market decline ever. Our hearts go out to our collegues.
Out of jail, and back in
Photographer Jason Nicholas, wrongly jailed in Minnesota with more than 25 other journalists during the shameful police actions during the Republican Convention, was bailed out of jail. His bail came as a result of intervention by Region 2 NPPA, and NPPA National attorney Mickey Ostericker and the attorneys from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. He and a Chicago Tribune freelancer were jailed for three days by authorities on trumped up charges for merely doing their job. Unfortunately for Nicholas after he was bailed out of Minnesota, he had to return to New York City where he was re-incarcerated for parole violations in connection with his former criminal record that prevented him from leaving the state.
Despite him not being a member of NPPA, Todd Maisel personally wrote the court a letter asking for his release as he has tried to lead a noble life in photojournalism. The letter was not endorsed by NPPA, but was based on Maisel’s familiarity with the illegal arrests in Minnesota and based on Nicholas’ efforts to lead an honest life. He was unfortunately remanded at this time.
We are collecting names for a petition to be given to his lawyer for next week. Please email me permission to use your name on a petition or even write a letter on his behalf and then email it to toddphoto@aol.com. The petition will not be from NPPA, as NPPA is not endorsing his release. Instead, the petition will be supporting Nicholas’ effort to be a productive member of society.
It is because of what we believe to be an illegal arrest and improper prosecution of someone who was acting as a member of the media, that we write this petition and our letters.
We are further outraged by the arrests of members of the media and believe his continued prosecution, while most others had charges dropped, is more than capricious, but targeted
against him because of his parole violation in pursuit of his need to express himself through
the First Amendment.
Region 2 will be advocating for the National to become more proactive in the future on negotiating in advance of such events to prevent the illegal arrests by police of members of the media.
NYPPA cool in the pool
The New York Press Photographers Association ran this year’s photo pool for both the seventh anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center at Ground Zero and for the visit later in the day by presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain. It is because of this involvement that news agencies and publications from throughout the world were able to get great photographs and excellent positions for this event.
Calendar Items:
Contests Coming
Make it something you can get together quickly. Start your contest entry gathering now so you don’t have to rush. We will be announcing contests and their deadlines as we receive them - not just NPPA but as many as we receive. Stay tuned.
Exhibit: Richard Leibowitz and Frances Roberts
Richard Leibowitz and Frances Roberts have photos in the photo exhibit, "911-Lost" at the Haven Arts Gallery, 50 Bruckner Blvd. Bldg. A, 'da Bronx' running from September 11-October 11.
Take the # 6 train to the 3rd Ave./138th Street stop. Opening night is Thursday September 11 from 5-9 pm.
Let us know if you have an exhibit to announce. We will put up here for your colleagues to see. Email me at toddphoto@aol.com.
NSC in Virginia – rides are available. Courses for vital business, multi media skills
The Northern Short Course will again be held, this year in Virginia – details to be
announced shortly.
The NSC will focus on helping photographers who lose their jobs in the current difficult newspaper market and to help them find alternative means of making a living. We will have specialists on being self sufficient and making photographers into business entrepreneurs.
Further, NSC will have seminars on Final Cut and becoming multi media specialists,
making photographers into multi skilled professionals who can change their specialties with the market conditions.
If you don’t think you need this kind of help and networking, you are nuts. Not to mention the great parties that we have with your colleagues from throughout the country.
Let us know if you are interested in getting a ride, or want to share a room. We will help people put this together to offset some of the costs of the weekend, which looks like the third week of March. Let me know at toddphoto@aol.com.
J&R is your source for Cameras, Computers and Entertainment
You’ve got to be crazy not to take advantage of your NPPA discount at J&R. Call J&R Corporate department to find out how.
J&R has been a great supporter of photographers and we should use their services when we can.
J&R donated at printer for our raffle at the NPPA-NYPPA meeting and it was won by Bill Turnbull.
We expect to see them again soon supporting our events. Please say hello and thank you to them at the PhotoPlus Expo where they will have a booth. We appreciate their help and you should too.
Here are some events being held at J&R this month.
Kenny Garrett will be performing and signing autographs as part of our next WBGO live remote on October 11th, Sketches of MD, $13.99
On 10-17-08 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees Little Anthony and the Imperials make there first NYC in-store appearance EVER! (Please use this tag) Little Anthony and the Imperials Acapella performance and signing autographs. October 14, 12:30 PM $9.99
On Oct. 10, Tommy James will be signing autographs on Tuesday 11-11, 12:30pm Tommy James Live at the Bitter end $13.99 DVD Tommy James I love Christmas $10.99 CD.
Dion will be signing autographs of his new CD Heroes on Friday 10-3 at 12 pm, Heroes, $13.99 Ollabelle will be performing and signing autographs of there new CD Before this time.
Brian Wilson will be signing autographs on Friday November 21st. at 12:00pm That lucky old sun,
regular $14.99, deluxe $17.99
Trin-I-Tee 5:7 will be performing and signing autographs on Thursday 10-2, T57 Deluxe edition.
$7.99; 10-05-08
Lesley Roy will be performing and signing autographs on Friday 10-3 at 12:30, $9.99.
NPPF Airborne TV Seminar – register now
Less than a month remains to register for the 2008 Airborne TV Seminar in Wichita, Kansas, on October 17th (critiques) and 18th (seminar) or Portland, Oregon with critiques on Saturday evening and the seminar on Sunday October 19th. Story Telling in Tough Times is this year’s theme and to prove the point, two of our speakers have experienced layoffs in the past year. Anyone who tells stories with video is invited to attend the day long program. This includes TV photographers and reporters and newspaper video journalists. There will be breakout sessions for both photographers and reporters and critiques (DVD only) at both stops.
Speakers include NPPA’s Photographer of the Year, Scott Jensen from KTTU in Anchorage; Editor of the Year, Shawn Montano from KWGN-TV in Denver; Peter Rosen, winner of this year’s NPPA Photojournalism Reporting Award, until recently from KUTV in Salt Lake City; and Deborah Potter, Executive Director of the NewsLab in Washington, DC.
For registration forms and additional information, visit our web site at http://www.nppa.org/workshops/airborne or contact Steve Sweitzer, Airborne Chair sesweitzer.net@gmail.com 317-956-8561. Our FAX machines are open and waiting.