John Wadleigh , Oct 30, 2009; 08:43 a.m.
I just recently took some great wildlife photos that I wanted to submit to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. However, reading throught the rules it says that if the photo makes it to the final rounds then they will require the original RAW camera file to determine the modifications that have been made, etc..
The problem is that I usually import my photos into Lightroom and have them all converted to DNG format, without the RAW file being embedded in order to keep the file size small. DNG format has its benefits and I like using them for these reasons. (too many discussions on this so I won't go into it)
So I emailed the company doing the competition and they continued to say that they do not accept DNG files - they require the original RAW file.
My arguement is that DNG files are simply converted from the original camera file. So there are no modifications done. Why would they not accept the DNG format?
This is overall upsetting for me since I can't submit my photos.
Anyone have any idea what to do here? Of course, I am now embedding my RAW files into the DNG format but this is rediculous.
Here is their website - anyone else have experience with this competition?
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whats-on/temporary-exhibitions/wpy/
Luis G 
, Oct 30, 2009; 08:48 a.m.
I can't imagine what you can do. It's their contest, and their rules. Maybe you should be considering entering another contest?
Howard Vrankin 
, Oct 30, 2009; 08:50 a.m.
Edward Ingold 
, Oct 30, 2009; 09:05 a.m.
There's a slim line between a photo contest and a scam to steal images. This one crosses the line.
William Kahn 
, Oct 30, 2009; 09:10 a.m.
Well, clearly, they don't understand the nature of a DNG file; and just as clearly, they're not going to be convinced. It would be interesting to know if they require film photographers to submit their negatives. But, as Luis said, it's their competition and their rules. It's probably time to move on.
I don't embed RAW files in DNG files, but I do preserve the RAW files and move them to a DVD for backup and whatever the future might bring. You might consider doing something like that.
Edward, it doesn't look like a scam to me, just a severe case of photoshopanoia...
John Wadleigh , Oct 30, 2009; 09:15 a.m.
I guess I was extremely shocked that they will not accept a DNG file as I understand it is the next best thing to the RAW file. Is it not the case that a DNG file is *exactly* the same as the original file except for losing some proprietary image properties that are specific to the camera make and model... ?
Hal B , Oct 30, 2009; 09:15 a.m.
They probably don't know what DNG is. What can you do? Submit your entry as JPG, and if they select it, you'll have to provide the DNG. It's up to them what to do with it at that point. You're not the only person in the world without RAW files. I usually don't even bother shooting RAW if I'm outdoors. I only switch to RAW if the lighting is funny or it's dark or something.
Photographers need to take a stance against releasing RAW files. RAW is a format to help you produce your work. RAW is not the final product, and shouldn't be subjected to scrutiny. This competition is borderline invasion of privacy, if you ask me.
John Tonai , Oct 30, 2009; 09:20 a.m.
You can make changes to a file then save it as a .dng It is easy to take a .jpg or .tif file, open it in Adobe Camera Raw then click the Save As box, and convert to .dng. It loses all the benefits of a real raw file, but it is a .dng.
Reading the rules of the contest, I don't think this is an image grab. They specifically state that the raw files is used to verify that the photographer didn't do any manipulations beyond what they allow-minor adjustments, spotting, etc. They also state that entries may be used to promote the contest, but that's it. If the image is used for commercial purposes (for the magazine or for the natural history museum) they will give the photographer the option of accepting it and will pay a royalty. Seems decent for a contest these days.
John, when you converted to .dng did you trash your original files?
John Wadleigh , Oct 30, 2009; 09:25 a.m.
John Tonai - I agree with you. I have however one last hope - I have my card still, even though the camera formatted it, I will try to use some recovery software to get the RAW files back. I am crossing my fingers on this one!
peter carter 
, Oct 30, 2009; 09:37 a.m.
A DNG file is a modified format TIF file (so is a PSD). It can be easily changed, and Lightroom does apply changes (deltas) to it (option in LR2.x).
If they have concerns on what changes we made to the image, a DNG can already be suspect by nature of what it is; a converted file. Nature is riddled with hoaxes, zoo shots and the like, and I am sure this is how they intend to thin out the "bad crowd".
Being a programmer, I suspect it would not take too much effort for me to modify a NEF file. This would assume that I wanted to in the first place. I don't think they really thought out what they are doing, but like mentioned - "it's their competition and their rules".
