A photograph to be published soon

[Bluesky]

Hello,

I am pleased to let you know that my photograph "Passage to Sweet Serenity" submitted here last week for the POTW has been selected for publication by the International Library of Photography in their forthcoming anthology "Endless Journeys" (Library of Congress ISBN-0-7951-5247-7). I would like to share the news with all my friends here at BytePhoto, an excellent site for posting photos!

Best regards,
Bluesky

[devilwoman]

Bluesky,

Was it seen on this site or did you submit it to them for publishing?

[Bluesky]

Thanks devilwoman! Yes, I submitted it for possible publication.

[raaf]

Congratulations also, good news

[Bluesky]

Thanks very much, raaf!

[FIRESTORM]

I had a image published in a prior book about 2 years ago from the same contest/company.

It is a great feeling when you get that official piece of mail. Then you find out what they really want.

The prize for your winning - YOur pic published.

Do you want to see that book - Heck yeah - You need to buy it (From them) for about $100.00 (I am not kidding). You cannot buy anywhere else either.

Then you are bombarded with emails, letters, ect. asking you to purchase plaques, coffe mugs, and a whole bunch of other stuff.

This company borders on scamming people, and in my opinion, they are scamming people. Some of the images in the book that "Won", were in my opinion crap.

To test this theory, I had 7 friends submit their photos; none of which were any great shakes and they all "WON"...Shocker!!!!


It all seems very official, and I do not want to burst your bubble, and the book itself was actually very nice (NOT $100 NICE THOUGH), but when you realize everyone "wins" that wonderful feeling you get goes away fast.

I have also learned that you submitted your image, which they now own to do whatever you like with, which includes selling it to anyone they want at anytime. More $$$ in their pockets.


The only people who really win are the publisher...Based on the book I was published in, about 1000 or more other people shelled out over $100 for a book that probably costs about $20 to print. You do the math.

Sorry to sound so negative on my first post here, but that company really gets to me.

[Bluesky]

Hi Firestorm,

Thanks very much for your post. After reading your message, I did a search on the Web, and found lots of discussions on this issue at "BetterPhoto.com". Most people do not seem to be happy, but some people are OK about the issue.

Yes, I think you’‚’‚…‚’‚…¾‚re right ’‚’‚…‚’‚‚‚¦‚“ the prize for your winning is that your picture is published; however, you need to pay. I also did a search about where the book is available for purchase. I found that you can buy similar anthologies published in the past at "Amazon.com" at the same price ($69.95).

My conclusion so far ’‚’‚…‚’‚‚‚¦‚“ It is an individual’‚’‚…‚’‚…¾‚s choice regarding if you want to spend the money to see your work published. As for the quality of the photographs, I believe that there are some nice ones and some not-so-nice ones. In general, I wouldn’‚’‚…‚’‚…¾‚t have too high expectation. Consequently, perhaps both a wonderful feeling and a regretful disappointment are unnecessary.

Thanks again for your warning, which is much appreciated.

[Bluesky]

Two more things for your info. According to the official letter, you are under no obligation to make a purchase of any kind. This means that you don’‚’‚…‚’‚…¾‚t have to buy the book to have your photograph published. Also, the copyright notice for your photo is published in your name. This means that you retain the copyright.

I hope that they are telling the truth.

[RTaylor]

Great job Bluesky for being chosen for publication. I was on that site once too and I had a hard time uploading a photo. It said if you have a hard time uploading, mail a hard copy to address listed.
Do you have the website link again?
Also.. about the book, I would bet that they are hoping that most would be excited about their photo being chosen and buy the book just because they have a published photo.
If I have the correct website.. I couldnt find a photo I thought was yours.
Which photo will be published and how can I find your photo listed
Thanks and have a great weekend.
Ruth

[FIRESTORM]

No, you are not required to buy the book, but the point is that if I win a contest and my photo is published in a book, I would want that book. Maybe some people do not care either way.

My image was a picture of a friend at her wedding. It was just one of those great shots that everyone loved, so I submitted it. Not only did I buy the book, but the bride did, her mother, her three sisters and the grooms family. So for that one shot, these guys got 7 people to pay $70 per book from my one shot.

Like I said, I do not mean to burst your bubble at all, my intent was only to warn you of what to expect.

The clincher for me was having seven friends submitt their photos, some of which were just snapshots from a birthday party and were nothing to write home about, and then all seven of them "won" and were published in the next book. That just tells me that everyone who submitts wins.


Oh well, it was fun to be published and since I am not a professional photographer that may be the only time I am published. And the book was nicely done, I will give them that much.

Good luck my friend.

[bowlingranny]

Hi Bluesky,

So far I've had 4 photos published and have yet to buy a book from these same people.

I also won second place with one of them. I got a gold coin and and a certificate.

First place does win money. I fould out later there are hundreds of second place winners but that doesn't take away from me, there thousands of entrys.

I think it's choice..if you want to buy the book I think that's fine.
Enjoy your win and your book..
Marianne

[Matt_C]

You deserve it. Congratulations.

[fotoman91]

I had a similar experience with these people. I had submitted a photo that was a pretty good one and I couldn't believe my luck when I received notification that I was selected as a semi-finalist. Long story short, I bought the book. It was a nicely done book. There were a lot of very nice photos in it as well. But my feelings of accomplishment went straight down the drain when I saw some of the photos that were also chosen as "semi-finalists". There was even a picture in there that someone had taken an ink pen and written on it. I feel I was totally duped and I hope you don't make the mistake of falling into the trap of spending hard earned money on that book.

Just this past summer a friend of mine told me he had been selected as a semifinalist for that same contest. I told him congratulations and told him I, too, had been in one of their books. I didn't tell him the whole story, I just went home and grabbed the book and showed it to him. After he looked through it, the look on his face was pretty sour. He had come to the same conclusion I did. They publish ANYTHING.

Bluesky, you're a very talented photographer, so don't be dismayed, just keep plugging away and keep your eyes open for a publisher that is going to appreciate the value of your talent and beautiful images.

[WendyT]

I submitted a photo last April (2003), it won (what a surprise) ........ I ordered the book, the credit card payment was processed last August, $120 Australian. The Anthology was supposed to be released in the fall (it is now your winter) I sent a registered letter before Christmas, reply.... release delayed allow 4 to 6 weeks (this brings it to about the middle of february ... end of your winter). I had to chase them, no information was given re lateness. If you look at the website it tells you stuff that is due for release but not when it is delayed.
I had tried ringing them and no-one answers the phone in their office and there is no email address for them at all listed on their site.
I bought the book because I thought it would be kudos just to be published, I must say that I would not bother again, but it will still be nice to hve the book if/when it gets here.

[Bluesky]

Hello,

Thank you all for your messages. I received a letter a few days ago, telling me that the deluxe hardbound photography anthology, Endless Journeys, is scheduled to be released on June 30, 2004. All pre-publication work has been completed and the book will be available at retail and online bookstores about six weeks later.

In a separate email, I was told that the International Society of Photographers 2004 Convention and Symposium will be held in Washington, DC, on April 2-4, 2004. I will be presented with my Outstanding Achievement in Photography Award. According to them, the Award is "a magnificent work of art (a $200.00 value) that measures over 10 inches across and over 11 inches high, handcrafted in silver, with your name custom-engraved on a beautiful cherry-wood base". "It will merit a special place of pride in your home. Your award is so large and heavy that you may wish to bring an extra suitcase to carry it home". I have no idea but I guess that probably every invited person would get one?

Anyway this is just some update for an early post that you may or may not be interested to know.