Still curious about Shoot For Good? Watch a VIDEO of some photos from our previous Shoot For Good days narrated by co-founder Jennifer Ditona-Garcia.
1.) Do my pictures have to be shot in Hampton Roads, VA?
Answer
Well… Initially our plan was to focus solely on Hampton Roads, which we did for the first two years. Now that we’re moving to a social media platform, we recognize things are going to be a little less manageable. We’re not opposed to seeing what others are witnessing in their communities. Our hope has always been that Shoot For Good would be exported to other communities and adopted by other photographers. If you would like to organize a Shoot For Good project in your town, city or country, let us know. If you simply wanna show us something going on in your neighborhood on SFG Day, I suppose we’ll turn a blind-eye to our original intent. Photography is a powerful tool and we hope, no matter where you are or what day it is, you will use your skills in photography to make a difference.
3.) How will my photograph be used?
Answer
All images submitted to the Shoot For Good through social media or the website will be credited to you. A selection from the body of work will later be compiled, produced and used in unique displays and exhibits around the region to promote volunteerism and kindness. You will be notified, via the contact info you supply or through your social media outlet of choice, if your image(s) is included in any such project.
Your picture(s) may also be used to promote Shoot For Good, but will not be used for commercial purposes.
4.) How do I submit my picture?
Answer
After making pictures of good things in your community during SFG Day, choose which one(s) you want to share and come back to this website or post it to your social media outlet of choice with the hashtag #shoot4good. If you prefer the website, click the share tab (which will only be activated on the day of the event) above, fill out the information and select the image you want to upload from the folder that contains the picture through the browse function. If you’re submitting more than one…simply repeat.
Do your best to submit your picture as soon after it’s taken as you can so those following the event can experience it in as fluid a manner as possible. If you become stymied by the upload or posting process, we will be providing an e-mail address closer to the date for you to use. But realize, if you use the e-mail option, your image may not appear on the site in real-time.
5.) How long do I have to submit my picture?
Answer
It is our intention to maximize the advantages of the internet and social media to share your pictures as close to real-time as possible. Try to upload or post your photos as soon after you make them as possible. That said, we will be accepting pictures for up to 72 hours. That doesn’t mean the photos can be taken after the 24 hour period is over. It simply gives you the chance to seek help if you’re stumped or shooting close to deadline.
If all else fails, closer to the event, we will be posting an e-mail address you can send your pictures to.
6.) How many pictures may I send in?
Answer
In the past we’ve said five. We simply ask you to be reasonable.
Edit tightly and thoughtfully and only send your best work, please. Less is more. Avoid sending repetitive pictures.
7.) Do I have to take my picture(s) within the SFG Day 24-hour period?
Answer
Absolutely.
The idea is to capture a 24-hour snapshot of the spirit of the community. We ask that you set the time/date stamp setting on your camera to the correct date and time. But make sure you set your camera so that the time/date stamp does NOT appear on the image. Dig up you owner’s manual if you’re unsure how to do this.
8.) How much of my day will this consume?
Answer
As much time as you want to put into it.
We would love you to take this opportunity to explore your neighborhood to find the extraordinary people who regularly bring joy and aid to others with no expectation of reciprocation — the quiet heroes of our community. So if you have the time, spend the time. If not, simply sling your camera over your shoulder, tuck it in your purse or pocket, keep your cell phone camera at the ready, and just go about your day. Keep your eyes peeled, be hyper-aware of the people around you and seize the moment when you witness something good.
10.) How much may I alter the image?
Answer
See the rules section for specifics.
The intent behind Shoot For Good is to share honest and thoughful pictures with the world that represent the good people and good deeds being done around you. This is not a photography contest, so while we are looking for quality pictures, we aren’t looking for you to be an expert with photo editing software. And by no means do we want you to alter reality. In documentary photography, photo editing software is intended merely to make the picture look as close to what you saw through your camera as possible — clean up lighting and color shifts produced by the digital process. We do not add or subtract anything to the pictures through cloning.
11.) Color or black and white? Horizontal or vertical or square?
Answer
We leave this decision to your discretion and creativity.
13.) May I shoot my picture on old-fashioned film?
Answer
No. Shoot For Good is operating on an entirely digital platform.
14.) Who’ll own my picture?
Answer
You will. You own the picture. You own the copyright.
What you’re doing by sharing your image(s) is granting a limited license to Shoot For Good to reproduce your picture. Here’s the deal in its entirety: “By submitting to Shoot For Good, you are promising that the content is original, doesn’t plagiarize from anyone or infringe a copyright or trademark, doesn’t violate anybody’s rights and isn’t libelous or otherwise unlawful or misleading. You are agreeing that we can use your submission on ShootForGood.org, in exhibits and displays hosted by Shoot For Good and to promote the organization.” Here’s the one exception – if you choose to work directly with one of the participating non-profits, agree to grant the organization limited copyright usage of your picture(s) for the purposes of promotion free of charge. That means they can use your image in their newsletter, website, brochures…but they can not use your picture(s) for any commercial purposes. If you want to build a relationship with a specific group beyond Shoot For Good, that’s great, we encourage it. But on this day, we are giving the non-profits promotional usage of the pictures made in appreciation for their openness and in the spirit of helping their causes.
15.) What about the caption?.
Answer
Keep it concise, please. Just a couple of sentences that include the who, what, when and where. The upload form on the website will actually prevent you from writing much longer than that. If you’re posting your photos to a social media site, please include the caption information in the description of the image. We won’t be exhibiting photographs that are accompanied by a caption. See the rules section for a more in-depth explination.
16.) What happens to my picture?
Answer
All images submitted to the Shoot For Good website or social media sites will be credited to you. A selection from the body of work will later be compiled, produced and used in unique displays and exhibits around the region to promote volunteerism and kindness. You will be notified, via the contact info you supply, if your image is included in any such project.
17.) Will I get paid?
Answer
Not by us. But the image(s) is yours, after all. Make of it, or out of it, what you will. If you are taking photographs at a non-profit, it’s our hope that you will share your work with them free of charge for use on their website or promotional material.
18.) Can I remain anonymous?
Answer
No.
If we expect those we photograph to share their information with us and for the public to believe what we captured is truthful, then we must ourselves be transparent and share of ourselves.
19.) Do I need to get permission from my subject to submit their photo to the website?
Answer
Yes and No.
How’s that for a clear answer? Shoot For Good is a not-for-profit documentary project and no images will be used for any commercial purposes. Therefore, Shoot For Good is not legally obligated, nor does it require, that anybody sign a release form. We are working under the same principles as editorial or documentary photographers. That said, if you intend to subsequently sell an image individually, you must obtain the subject’s signed consent that you may use his or her likeness for profit. Also, some non-profits may require their members to sign something to protect the organization from any litigation. Regardless, it is always good form to let folks know that you are taking their picture and why. Not to mention, we need their names included in caption information anyway. Unless you would be spoiling the perfect moment by doing so, introduce yourself and the project and start things off on the right foot.
Have more questions?
Answer
If we didn’t address all of your questions here, then ask away in the comment form here or hit us up on Facebook. We’ll do our best to provide answers as quick as we can.
Susan Lowe
Do I need the subjects permission to submit their picture to you and for your use?
Tom Feist
Susan, I’m just seeing your post and wanted to offer a clarification, or at least my way of thinking on the matter. I am by no means an expert, but I am an MBA and have done a LOT of reading regarding releases. As a traveler, I often take pictures of people and have no way to communicate to ask for a release. I have come to my own conclusion: I do not release 99% of my photos. My reasoning is, if you release a photo, most of the time it positively ruins the spontaneity of the moment and furthermore it legally obligates you–in complicated “legalese” ways I cannot ever hope to understand–to the exact language of that release. If you–OR THE PEOPLE YOU SELL OR PROVIDE IT TO–step outside (even unknowingly) the exact usages prescribed in that release, as the photog YOU ARE LIABLE for damages to the model. Ouch. However, if you do not seek to model release a photo, then sell it or provide it to another party, as long as you openly state it is NOT RELEASED, the person who buys it assumes the risk if they want to use it. Because of this transferred risk, stock photography companies positively require releases. Exactly. Because if 20,000 people buy your photo from a stock company and one of those buyers misuses it, they want the PHOTOG to be liable for damages and not them. It’s one reason I do not shoot stock photos, or deal with those companies. Here again, this is my attempt to explain my own thinking regarding the eternal “to release or not release” debate and offer you a “…see Spot run…” level interpretation of the issue (i.e., as much about it as I understand).