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Archive 2009 · MaxPreps

bivey
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p.1 #1 · MaxPreps

Do any of you guys shoot for maxpreps.com? I emailed them about shooting for them and they want photos using a flash! I can understand why, but I don't have any photos using a flash. They didn't even care what I could do without a flash. I've been shooting sports professionally part time for local newspapers and national magazines for 10 years and be published locally and nationally. They don't care, still want photos with a flash.

Aug 26, 2009 at 02:33 AM

gman1339
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p.1 #2 · MaxPreps

I wouldn't even waste my time with them.

Aug 26, 2009 at 02:56 AM

timgangloff
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p.1 #3 · MaxPreps

Yep, they want flashed HS basketball and football.

Aug 26, 2009 at 02:57 AM

Scott Sewell
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p.1 #4 · MaxPreps

You may be one of the luckiest photographers around! With or without MaxPreps, I can't believe you've shot for so long without having to shoot in a cave...woops, I mean a poorly lit football field.

I don't shoot for MP, but there are many times when there is no choice but to shoot HS football with a flash. That is, of course, if I want usable images.

It would seem that if you want to shoot for MP, you'll need to provide them with photos using flash. I'm sure some of the MP shooters will chime in with their experience. Again, I haven't shot for them, but this seems rather straightforward.

Good luck.

Aug 26, 2009 at 03:18 AM

Zamboni Dan
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p.1 #5 · MaxPreps

Yes, flash or strobes are pretty much required for basketball with MaxPreps; the images are printed/sold and they want to ensure they're not selling noisy, grainy images, it's as simple as that. They are not fans of high ISO shots. Same for night football. It's nothing personal against those without flash.

The only ambient basketball I've shot for MP was at the Garden here in NYC, where the lights were bright enough.

-Danny

Aug 26, 2009 at 03:44 AM

bigfredtn
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p.1 #6 · MaxPreps

bivey wrote:
I've been shooting sports professionally part time for local newspapers and national magazines for 10 years and be published locally and nationally.

Why would you want to shoot for MaxPreps if you have already been published locally and nationally?

Aug 26, 2009 at 01:43 PM

bigfredtn
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p.1 #7 · MaxPreps

gman1339 wrote:
I wouldn't even waste my time with them.

Why?

Aug 26, 2009 at 01:44 PM

gman1339
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p.1 #8 · MaxPreps

bigfredtn wrote:
gman1339 wrote:
I wouldn't even waste my time with them.

Why?

To me they are the Model Mayhem equivalent for high school sports.

Aug 26, 2009 at 02:28 PM

Steve Ickes
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p.1 #9 · MaxPreps

gman1339 wrote:
I wouldn't even waste my time with them.

As a photographer I'm ALWAYS looking for ways to get more mileage and $$ out of my images. If I can shoot one event and upload those images to several different media distribution companies so much the better. If I'm already shooting a HS football game for someone else why not upload to Maxpreps as well. If I manage to sell a few more images then its a bonus for me.

I shoot for Maxpreps and can tell you that they are excellent to work with. Communication is frequent, support is top-notch, and best of all they are expanding their market presence. I also get to pick and choose my games to fit my schedule AND I retain copyrights to all my images with no restrictions on selling to others.

They are continually building relationships and partnerships with state athletic associations and local media outlets. When I go to games I'm seeing more and more Maxpreps Banners and they get frequent announcements during the games. On top of that I get FREE photo cards to hand out during games.

If your main problem is that you just hate "flashed" football shots well that's being a bit short-sighted. I don't particularly like the look of flashed night football games and the battle with Red Eye and Demon Eye is constant BUT that is the very reason I chose to shoot for Maxpreps: it forced me to shoot outside my comfort zone and learn something new. Shooting for someone else and having to adhere to their requirements is always good for my "game" as far as I see it. Another limitation of MP is that they do not want images in excess of ISO 800 which I believe is the main reason for having to use flash.

All in all though my experience with Maxpreps has been excellent. A well run company with clear direction, a responsive staff, and a proven desire to grow. Doesn't sound too bad to me.

Aug 26, 2009 at 02:36 PM

Tim Speciale
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p.1 #10 · MaxPreps

I think it's a matter of consistency. We're getting closer to not needing to flash most fields, but our camera's aren't there yet...and most school districts don't have the funds to get us there by making the fields brighter.

Aug 26, 2009 at 02:39 PM

Steve Ickes
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p.1 #11 · MaxPreps

gman1339 wrote:
bigfredtn wrote:
gman1339 wrote:
I wouldn't even waste my time with them.

Why?

To me they are the Model Mayhem equivalent for high school sports.

You obviously know nothing about Maxpreps. Again I think that it is short-sighted to not look at any and all opportunities to get your images out there.

Aug 26, 2009 at 02:42 PM

gman1339
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p.1 #12 · MaxPreps

Steve Ickes wrote:
gman1339 wrote:
bigfredtn wrote:
gman1339 wrote:
I wouldn't even waste my time with them.

Why?

To me they are the Model Mayhem equivalent for high school sports.

You obviously know nothing about Maxpreps. Again I think that it is short-sighted to not look at any and all opportunities to get your images out there.

Thanks for telling me what I know.

Aug 26, 2009 at 03:04 PM

danmc
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p.1 #13 · MaxPreps

I chose not to shoot for them because the post-processing required me to send them reduced amounts of pixels which just didn't make any sense to me.

Edited on Aug 26, 2009 at 05:32 PM · View previous versions

Aug 26, 2009 at 03:35 PM

timgangloff
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p.1 #14 · MaxPreps

I have been accepted to shoot for Maxpreps. I think they are a good company, but I do have reservations about their rigid rules (flash and crop requirements). What it comes down to for me is whether or not the extra time and work will be offset by significantly more in sales. In my area at least, I don't think that is the case as they are relatively unheard of. I am not sure just putting my pictures "out there" with them brings a greater ROI than my self-promotion. Last year they asked me to cover a HS playoff game for them. It was about 2 hours driving time from my house. They said they would pay me $125 + sales if they liked my images and $25 if they didn't. I did not take the offer. Who knows, maybe their more regular shooters get better deals, but this was not worth my time.

Aug 26, 2009 at 03:40 PM

Marty Bingham
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p.1 #15 · MaxPreps

Why would you want to shoot for MaxPreps if you have already been published locally and nationally?

I could see this coming a mile away. It happens every year about this time and every year it inexplicably turns sour. Here's a link to six pages of Maxpreps discussion. http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/612655/0?keyword=maxpreps#5400591

As far as the OP's question about flash. It is what it is. I tell my guys if a job requires us to wear polka dot underwear we just need to make up our mind up front if we can live with it or not. Then we show up there in polka dot underwear or show up somewhere else commando style

Marty

Aug 26, 2009 at 03:50 PM

cecilc
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p.1 #16 · MaxPreps

bivey wrote:
Do any of you guys shoot for maxpreps.com? I emailed them about shooting for them and they want photos using a flash! I can understand why, but I don't have any photos using a flash. They didn't even care what I could do without a flash. I've been shooting sports professionally part time for local newspapers and national magazines for 10 years and be published locally and nationally. They don't care, still want photos with a flash.

This season will be either my 6th or 7th year shooting for MaxPreps. And last season was my most successfull year shooting for them. MaxPreps does have some "rules" about gallery submissions and quality and strobes and what-not .... but none of their "rules" or "guidelines" are deal-breakers (at least, not for me).

I, too, have been published locally and nationally. I currently shoot for wire services and submit images to them. They, too, have specific instructions on how those images are to be cropped, color-corrected, uploaded, and captioned. I follow their instructions and requirements .... just as I follow MaxPreps' instructions and requirements. Like I said, there are no deal-breakers with either my wire service's instructions and requirements or MaxPreps' instructions or requirements .....

And I agree with whoever above said it first - why wouldn't you want as much exposure for your work as you can get? I get sales from my own website galleries; I get sales from the same game galleries that I've submitted to MaxPreps. Plus, I've had magazines and high school football annuals (both on a state level and on a national level) pick up some of my images from MaxPreps .... and that would never have happened had I "kept" those images off of the MaxPreps website ....

Shooting for MaxPreps is clearly not for everyone .... and, as Marty pointed out, this conversation pops up every football season. But if you can get on the MaxPreps "roster" and give it a shot, you might find that it does work for you ....

Aug 26, 2009 at 04:13 PM

Steve Ickes
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p.1 #17 · MaxPreps

The problem I have with complaining, whinning, bitching, or criticizing Maxpreps or other media outlets is that everything is clearly spelled out (at least with Maxpreps it is). They tell you what their requirements are and you either accept those or you don't. If you don't, then fine, don't bitch just move along. It's your choice to shoot for them or anyone else for that matter.

Aug 26, 2009 at 04:33 PM

Steve Ickes
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p.1 #18 · MaxPreps

timgangloff wrote:
Yep, they want flashed HS basketball and football.

So if SI called tomorrow asking you to go shoot a pro game or the NCAA finals you'd turn them down simply because they use strobes?

Aug 26, 2009 at 04:34 PM

timgangloff
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p.1 #19 · MaxPreps

Steve, I think you took my answer the wrong way. The OP asked about MaxPreps requirement to use flash. I merely reiterated the fact that they do require it.

I am all about strobing basketball, when allowed by the league/team/etc. Love it.

http://hatpix.blogspot.com/2009/01/freezing-action-at-1300-of-second-or.html

As I said, I am a MaxPreps approved shooter (but rarely post for them) and don't dislike them, just trying to put out some information about my experience with them.

And yes, if SI wanted me to use flash at the Div 1 football, I'd have to turn them down as it is not allowed.

Aug 26, 2009 at 05:58 PM

Steve Ickes
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p.1 #20 · MaxPreps

Thanks Tim. Basketball not football.

Aug 26, 2009 at 06:10 PM

Ralph Thompson
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p.1 #21 · MaxPreps

I've shot for MaxPreps for going on 5 seasons. Yep, their requirements are tough, the PP is a pain in the A$$, but it gets you recognized in the community. The Youth market likes to see the same guy on Saturdays youth game that was on the high school sideline on Friday night.

I've never made good money on a MP gallery( but your galleries are up for years, I've had sales two years later). But MP money adds up quicker than zeros. It has gotten me in the door where I wouldn't have before.

I know some of the really big dogs have no use for them but....

Aug 26, 2009 at 09:09 PM

msauk
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p.1 #22 · MaxPreps

Well I am going on 3 years now shooting for them and I like them.

I still get sales from a few years ago on their site believe it or not. To me their PP requirements are not that tough especially if you use LR2.

Simply select the crop tool and put in 16x21.6 and when you export just enter in both boxes, 2166x2166 and you will get the proper file for maxpreps. Very easy! lol I used to use the photoshop way and that took forever! LR2 is the way to go.

As for using flash for sports or strobes, it is what it is, it is their rule and you either go by it and submit shots or you don't and don't submit shots.

It is their company and their rules.

I strobe all basketball games and I love the way they look. I could not imagine shooting without it lol Low number of shots, my PP time is cut in half or more and I don't have to cull through 400 shots.

Another great thing, Maxpreps has always paid on time! If I sell stuff I get that check every month on time every month.

Aug 26, 2009 at 09:59 PM

Zamboni Dan
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p.1 #23 · MaxPreps

There is a misconception, especially amongst folks here, who think MaxPreps is just a photo-selling website. It's not. It's the high school arm of CBS Sports. They cover games, playoffs, all-star events, compile rankings -- it is primarily editorial and stat-driven. I've written for the site for several years -- it's largely news stories, columns and video features on high school athletes. People seem to think they just sell photos.

In terms of photos, I think it's an excellent opportunity for both those looking to shoot and gain experience as well as for vets who want to make some extra cash.

And as I said before, regarding flash, it's a matter of consistency and quality in terms of noise, that's it. What you consider to look OK at ISO 3200 or 6400 may not be what they or parents want.

-d

Aug 26, 2009 at 10:38 PM

Fish On
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p.1 #24 · MaxPreps

+1 on what Steve Ickes wrote:

"The problem I have with complaining, whinning, bitching, or criticizing Maxpreps or other media outlets is that everything is clearly spelled out (at least with Maxpreps it is). They tell you what their requirements are and you either accept those or you don't. If you don't, then fine, don't bitch just move along. It's your choice to shoot for them or anyone else for that matter. "

I also shoot for Maxpreps and out here in CA and it is a very recognized brand in high school sports. No need for a lot of advertising here in CA as when they see me on the sidelines with the Maxpreps shirt, that is all the advertising that I need. They also allow you to link your own website to their website, so that is an additional benefit. If you do a google on "high school sports", Maxpreps is at the top of the list or close to it. I've talked to the people at Maxpreps and last year, they were getting a million hits a day on their webpage.

I am also still getting sales from galleries that I posted 2+ years ago.

Aug 26, 2009 at 10:41 PM

gman1339
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p.1 #25 · MaxPreps

I fail to see how there is any misconception on what it is. It's pretty obvious when you go to the site. They pretty much smack you in the face with videos, rankings, and leaderboards on the front page.

This is a photography website. I thinks that's why people here only discuss the photography aspects.

Aug 26, 2009 at 11:51 PM


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