Model Consumer Photo Contest F.A.Q.

So, have lots of good response on the Model Consumer Photo Contest and some good questions too.

Here is my crack at answering the questions and keep those great entries coming in:

1. I’d love to be in the contest, when is it taking place?

The Model Consumer Photo Contest is accepting entries now through August 24, 2007.

Entries must be received via email to KurtColeEidsvig@yahoo.com by midnight on the 24th.

For full submission guidelines visit:

www.KurtColeEidsvig.com/contest


2. What kind of pictures are you looking for?

This is the hardest question to answer. The contest seeks creative images that will be judged on quality as well as creativity. Beyond that, the decisions are solely those of the model/photographer


3. Can I have someone in the dressing room (and the picture) with me?

If you want to, and can figure it out with the dressing room clerk, go for it. The only disclaimers are:

a) I am not bailing anyone out for getting arrested taking a picture (translation: Kurt Cole Eidsvig and KurtColeEidsvig.com are not responsible for any harm done in any way in the process of attempting to create an entry for the contest).

b) The person who takes the picture must be in the photo as well.

c) It is the entrant’s responsibility to secure the model release and rights and permissions of anyone who is included in the entry photo.


4. Are you looking for nudity?

Sometimes in my personal life, yes. For instance when I take a shower, I disrobe.

For the entry into the contest there are no rules for or against nudity. They are called “dressing rooms” though, not “naked rooms” so don’t feel obliged to do anything besides take a great picture.


5. Will you post the entries as they come in?

Since the contest is concerned with getting each person’s own creative version of themselves in a dressing room mirror I don’t want seeing other people’s entries to impact that. So, there will be no posting of any pictures until the end of the contest.

After that, full credit will be given wherever possible to the entries and the photos.


6. I am interested in entering— tell me more.

The only thing more to know is that each submission must be accompanied by the date taken, name of entrant, store, and location, as well as the following posted into the entry email:

This email and entry signify that I have read and agree to all of the contest rules and regulations for the Model Consumer Photo Contest. I herby grant Kurt Cole Eidsvig and KurtColeEidsvig.com full permissions and rights for the use of the attached photograph.

After that, just go take a picture and send me your best one.


7. I don’t understand the contest— taking a picture of myself in the dressing room mirror? Won’t the camera be in the picture? Are you just trying to see people naked because there are easier ways.

This is a multi-part one—

I took some pictures of Old Navy mannequins a few months back. And I have been doing these paintings with layering— mostly line drawings to make up people (i.e. maps under the surface, design-build drawings of planes, etc)...

On top of that I have done a lot of work with mirrors lately. Which I love. It recalls the idea of threes in nature and in art— the father/son/holy ghost; person/mirror's surface/reflection; water/surface/sky; past/present/future, Monet's water lilies-- reflection, lilies, beneath water, etc., etc.

Also, a lot of my work lately is on how people inform their ideas of themselves— images of women in comic books, the National Enquirer saying Lindsay Lohan is too fat/too skinny, etc.

And, over the past few months I talked to 2 different people about dressing room mirrors. One said:

"I know— how do they do it so things look so good in the dressing room and when you get them home they look awful?"

The other said:

"Could those dressing rooms make you feel any worse about yourself? I mean the light is awful… and those mirrors!"

Obviously, people were seeing different things in dressing rooms.

To go back to the mannequins, I thought it would be interesting to flip the idea I have been working on in art. That is, rather than take some pictures to make up what people are (the maps, drawings, etc.) why not use people to make up another object— that is mannequins in this case.

So, I needed pictures of people to then turn into line drawings and put beneath the surface of paint in a huge line painting of mannequins. Which I also love, because who draws mannequins?

The contest seemed like a good way to promote my art, get some help creating art, promote some other people’s photography and modeling, and create some great art wit a lot of combined energy and creativity.

I also love the idea of people's various images of themselves within the confines of consumer America, and what that looks like to different people. So, I am working on this project that is both an individual work of art and a happening of sorts— it captures people's vision of themselves, ideas of consumerism, uses mirrors, and is great fuel for other paintings.

No longer is the project limited to this mannequin painting but I have also planned individual paintings for some of the pictures I have received— watercolors, (like the fire and ice paintings) enlarged pieces, etc. This will be the start of my next series.

As for the camera needing to be in it? Maybe. I guess if you can hold it to the side maybe not. But it isn’t important to me either way, as long as the image is cool. You may want to turn off your flash too. Maybe not.

As for wanting to see people naked. That is the strangest question to me— the contest rules say nothing about it. Maybe take the picture before you have tried something on, or after, or in-between. Or be buck naked— whatever.

But do I like to see naked people? I guess it depends on who is asking.

And as for easier ways to see naked people…

I feel like I may know a few of them but I am always eager to find new ones. Do tell.


8. As always, for more information see:

www.KurtColeEidsvig.com/contest

www.617Midway.Blogspot.com

www.MySpace.com/KurtColeEidsvig