My Plan is working
Welcome back!
Remember about three weeks ago when I came up with My Master Plan for a certain online photo contest? It’s going exactly as I predicted.
My idea was to pick a truly awful picture to submit and see if it got the same raves as the “okay” picture I submitted the previous month. Here’s the picture I submitted:
and here’s the email I got from them yesterday:
Thriell,
After thoroughly reviewing and discussing your photograph, I am pleased to inform you that our Selection Committee has advanced your contest entry, “we’ve got cows,” to semi-finalist in the International Open Amateur Photography Contest.
Your photo will now be automatically entered into the final competition, where you now have an excellent chance of winning one of over 114 cash or gift prizes, including the $1,000.00 Grand Prize. You may even win the $10,000.00 Annual Grand Prize!
And that’s not all! In celebration of your unique talent, we also wish to publish your photograph in our forthcoming anthology series . . .
Endless JourneysEndless Journeys will be a classic, coffee-table quality hardbound volume that is printed on fine-milled paper specifically selected to faithfully reproduce the unique texture and character of your photograph.
“we’ve got cows” was selected for publication because of its unique perspective and your artistic vision. We believe it will add to the importance and appeal of this series. You are under no obligation whatsoever to submit any entry fee or subsidy payment, or to make a purchase of any kind.
Of course, many people do wish to own a copy of the anthology in which their artistry appears. If this is the case, we welcome your order and guarantee your satisfaction. This finely crafted volume makes an excellent addition to any home, a treasured family keepsake, and a highly valued personal gift. Go here if you would like to purchase the anthology featuring your photo.
Thriell, let me assure you, your image remains your property; Endless Journeys is copyrighted as a compilation. The copyright notice for your photo is published in your name. This means that you retain the copyright to your own work of art.
You should also decide if you’d like to have some personal information about yourself and your photo included in this elegant edition. Many readers have told us that one of the most interesting and enjoyable parts of the anthology is learning about the artists and the stories behind their photos. You may give the reader this added perspective about you and your photo by including this information in a special section of the anthology set aside for this purpose. Although we must charge a nominal fee for this service, you are under no obligation to include this information. Your photograph can be published without it if you wish. Please see the order form for further information. (This feature is only available to book buyers. You will be able to add an Artist’s Profile once you order your book.) We look forward to reading more about you and your photography!
Thriell, you should be genuinely proud of your accomplishment. Of the thousands of photographs we see each year, only a fraction can be published. We are pleased that “we’ve got cows” will achieve the recognition that a national publication can give it. And, if you order Endless Journeys, we are so confident that you will love both the quality of the edition and the way your photograph is presented, we can proudly offer an unconditional money-back guarantee. If for any reason you are dissatisfied, simply return the book to us within 90 days and your money will be promptly refunded.
Again, congratulations, Thriell. We feel you have a special talent and look forward to the publication of your photograph, “we’ve got cows.”
Sincerely,
PUH LEEZE! “Unique artistic vision”, my foot! More like “The complete lack of talent demonstrated in this out-of-focus, blown-out waste of media”
Now, you tell me: Are these people running a contest, or are they just selling books?
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Although I had heard about these “photo contests” that were actually something else entirely, this is the first time that I’ve seen it in action. Clearly, they’re selling. But, you were sharp enough to know that this was an attempt to sell you something. Unfortunately, many unsuspecting photography enthusiasts aren’t as discerning as you. Thanks for sharing (and warning).
BTW, that’s a lousy photo:-)
Great post!
That’s funny. The same thing happened to me a couple of years ago, but it was a poetry contest. And I actually thought I was a good poet…well I am lol, but’ they’ll never know.
It all looks like a selling exercise to me. A five year old child would tell you that`s a bad photo, nevermind someone who`s supposed to `know` about photography
That’s just exactly my point in all this. I don’t think these folks “know” as much about photography as they do about selling books … and trophys, and plaques, and “memberships”, and who knows what else. Someone could easily drop $1,000 if they bought everything these people emailed them about.
Oh I liked the picture, but honestly it didn’t deserve to go so far ahahaha, they are realyy selling books for sure!
You actually LIKED that picture?! You’re the FIRST person to say that. Heck, I took the stupid picture and I don’t like it. This silly contest and my desire to see if it’s really a crock are the only reasons I even let this picture see the light of day (And, you’ll note I have yet to publicly associate this picture with my real name…)
No accounting for taste, I guess.
Thanks for the comment.