MMS To The Front Page

Source: 160characters.org

Scoopt has set up a picture agency specifically and exclusively to help amateur 'citizen reporters' sell newsworthy photos taken on camera phones to the media. Given the propensity of camera phones (and digital cameras), there is now the potential for people to photograph or video just about anything that happens anywhere. Occasionally, somebody will be in the right place at the right time with a camera phone to hand and photograph a genuinely newsworthy event that the mainstream media miss.

Revenue Share
At this point, they can MMS or email the photo directly to Scoopt (or upload on via the web site). Scoopt then license it for publication on their behalf and split the money earned from the use of the photos 50/50% with the photographer. Although targeted to the UK, with PayPal as a payment option to photographers, photos could be submitted from anywhere in the world.

The revenue split means that Scoopt has a vested interest in making sure that not only does the photo reach the right people but negotiating the best possible deal. It aims to bridge the gap between the amateur snapper who gets lucky with a camera phone and the professional picture desk editor looking for newsworthy photographs.

MacRae recognises that "probably only a small number of photos submitted will be saleable, but the potential is there for someone to be at a newsworthy event with a camera phone and there will be no press".

"The majority of stories are not illustrated as there simply no pictures available" said MacRae. "It can even make a difference as to which stories are reported if a photo is available to support it. For some we might even write some news copy to go with the picture to be able to sell the story the press on a tight deadline ready to use".

Why Join?
Why bother joining Scoopt when photos could be sold directly to the press? "The truth is that it's not so easy to reach a picture editor in the first place," says Kyle MacRae Scoopt's founder, "assuming you have the nerve to try and understand how newspapers and magazines operate, and it's a whole lot harder to get a fair price and a fair deal."

"It is important to register with Scoopt so that we can strike a deal with a picture desk editor within minutes" says MacRae. "If the photographer has to wait until he gets home, and then join Scoopt, and then upload the picture... well, a newspaper's deadline may well have passed and the photo loses much of its value." Membership is free and provides access to the MMS, email and upload features.

In addition to news photos, Scoopt is planning regular special supplements like Britain on Britain (www.scoopt.com/britainonbritain), where people have the chance to tell their own stories. MS: MMS To The Front Page

Given the propensity of camera phones (and digital cameras), there is now the potential for people to photograph or video just about anything that happens anywhere. Occasionally, somebody will be in the right place at the right time with a camera phone to hand and photograph a genuinely newsworthy event that the mainstream media miss.