 Karla C |
Photo Heartbreaks I entered a photo contest with Photo.com and was so excited to hear that one of my 'moments' had been good enough to go into a book... now I've been told I was invited to receive a trophy, for being OUTSTANDING as a amature photographer in DC - WOW even as a Military Family Member for 51 yrs, even with having my 3 sons serving in the military, even with the youngest in IRAQ still serving, I had never seen our Nation's capital. What a thrill to be going to compete and see DC, and to photograph it, to make memories that I could share. I reserved my spot for $75. and then started looking for the HOTEL. Well there were 3 of them with the name Washington Hilton - don't know which one. I wrote to them, my e-mail bounced hard from Photo.com, then I put in a search trying to find the convention people... can't find them either. I ran a reverse phone # look up, it came up as being in a different town, zip code from what was on the papers, yet the same street address?? I was then lead to this site. I wept Like a car crash, where everything slows and stretches each nanosecond into a ludicrous slow motion movie in your head. I saw every missed warning sign, & castised myself again & again for being so pridefull and gulible. Thank you for letting me know. Maybe someday I'll get published, but for now I will just continue to capture moments.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Damian P. Gadal |
Well, to me this is heartbreaking and seems a crime! I'm glad you posted your story as it will help others. In the meantime, keep shooting and doing what you love to do - if your goal is to get published and you work at it, it will happen!
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
pcmlphotography.com - Pamela C.M Lammersen Contact Pamela C.M Lammersen Pamela C.M Lammersen's Gallery |
Oh Karla, sorry for your experience with photo.com Yes we have all been had by them. I to was excited the first time I sent in a pic and it was accepted, but soon realized that it is not a 'real' thing. Have you posted some of your pics here on the betterphoto.com contests? we for sure appreciate great shots,you may even win a 'real' prize by entering the contest. Its also a big boost when people comment on your work and they say the love it. Keep shooting and you will get where you want to be.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Karla C |
Thank you both for being so kind. I'm still trying to figure out how to explain this to my hubby who was just as excited for me as I was. It was just wanting so badly to have other photographers appreciate a photo that I took, kinda like having everyone come up and tell you that your baby is the cutest baby they have ever seen... LOL Oh well, pride goeth before the fall eh? I've looked at many of the photos that have been entered in the contest here and was awe struck at their beauty. Some left me breathless--what a mass of talented people there are here! I have so many photos, but they pale in comparison to these wonders. I would not want to have to choose, I surely don't envy the judges. I have some photos that I digitally turned to canvas and using sublimation have put them on actual canvas... are they still photos? I don't know. I have a couple that I'm proud of, I'd like to know what people thought of them who AREN'T trying to make a buck off of me. (shakes head)... I know, I know... I talk too much!... LOL ty again & God Bless You all.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
- Shirley D. Cross-Taylor Contact Shirley D. Cross-Taylor Shirley D. Cross-Taylor's Gallery |
I'm so sorry this happened to you, Karla! I have also been 'taken in' in the past, but through experience have found out who has the legitimate contests. Petersen's Photographic Magazine has a monthly theme contest, which is free, and they pay YOU, if you win, AND your photo is published. (I have one in April's issue.) Also, an entry form is in most of the current photo magazines for Photographer's Forum's Spring contest. There is a small entry fee, but they publish a big book each year of the winners and all the finalists, and there are prizes for the winners. Popular Photography & Imaging Magazine has a monthly 'Your Best Shot' where you can also get published and win some money. These are just a few. Don't give up.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Karla C |
Thanks Shirley, I had no idea that there were so many contests out there...guess I've been doing photos for my family, Military Units, and Friends too long. I got recruited as a DA photographer in Europe, and worked with Publicity for Military Units, functions, Volunteers, even did a few things for the Stars & Stripes News Paper...but I've never taken a course in photography, I just learned by trial and error. This was the first time that I'd actually thought that I'd try and get a photo in a contest, yes it was dissapointing, but I'm learning! Right now I'm just putting photos on Dog-tags for Military families...I wish I knew someone who could help me with sublimation of photos...sometimes I'm just pulling my hair out trying to figure out a setting to fix a problem! I'm getting better at it, but them IRAQ high noon photos are NOT fun to do...LOL Thanks again for your encouragement.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
She-She Killough |
Well Karla, You seem like such a sweet gal. I hate to see that happen to anyone but you really hate when it happens to someone like yourself.(Only reason it hasn't happened to me yet is that I haven't been brave enough to submit anything anywhere!) One good thing that may have come out of it is, you discovered BetterPhoto! This a place where you can learn SO much from the feedback of others, from the excellent classes and from reading tips and hints etc... In many ways you have landed in a good and safe place. And we want to welcome you as a fellow lover of photography! Keep learning and trying I agree with the others you will get there. :D Blessings to you! Sheesh
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
fax-sinclair.com - Fax Sinclair Contact Fax Sinclair Fax Sinclair's Gallery |
Dear Karla, Here is a wonderful website that was put together by a man who wanted to show off his grandfather's photographs. My-Webgallery.com It's a free (although you can give a donation) place where you can place as many images as you want, and recieve comments on them. The site is just developing but is already proffessional. Really good way to get your photos "out there." Also for around $20 a year you can join Shutterline.com and post photos for critique in the workshop forum. Is there any way you can get your money back from the creeps? I sent in a photo too but when I got the BIG letter I did not bite. But I can see how one would.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Danielle Atwater |
Well I'm glad I read this question and answer...i too entered the contest and felt so proud that a photo of mine was excepted! I almost went to DC also! I can't believe I believed that. Well now I know thanks a bunch. Sincerely Danielle
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Karla C |
Thank you all so much, I wish I'd found this site first. If I had, I'd probably not have fallen into the trap so easily. I may or may not get my money back, but at least I didn't put up the entire amount before finding out the truth. I'm sure that someday I will get to go to DC and I'll take my little Minolta K-1000 & my digital..and capture the moments. With any luck, I'll have many treasures to share with my families and friends. Thanks to all of you for your advise and information. And hopefully some others will be helped by it as well. God Bless you all...
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Toni A. Martin |
Karla, I am so sorry this happened to you. I felt just like you about 3 years ago when I received the letter from Picture.com with my photo in the little window of the envelope. I too was very heart-broken when I learned the whole business was a scam. I decided to do to Border's and look for the book. They couldn't even order it. That told me it was not for real. I just kept plugging away at my photography, dreaming that someday I would be published. I had been sitting on what everyone had told me was a great kayaking shot for a year and a half when I just decided to send it to a magazine one day. It was accepted in two weeks. All along I had felt the shot was not good enough. I have been kicking myself ever since. I am still looking for that second publication. But at least I got a foot in the door. Keep working on what you do best and send it where it applies. A rejection is only a rejection, just another stepping stone. Get over it and move on! Don't think about it or dream it will happen. Just send the photo out. Best of luck to you. I also started with a Brownie camera at the age of nine. Toni Martin
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Chris D. Saxton |
Hi everyone, I to received the letter stating that they wanted to publish my photo, that I was invited to DC, and that I could have my photo presented and receive my award for a fee of course. oh well Ill stick to it, nothing good comes that easy. chris saxton
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Susie L. Ambrose |
To all : Karla- all the way from British Columbia to Washington DC - a dream come true- to show my photo which they also picked- and a brass trophy too- when they asked for $$$$$, they lost me. If nothing else, you found new friends and a legit website- priceless! Susie Photo Canuck
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Susan Loomis |
Hi Karla, I too had been duped to the cost of 187.00 and was supposed to show my pic and send a bowl and medal for 2004 photo acheievements...still hasn't shown...and haven't heard about folks seeing any 20 ft. screen shots?? curious. can also reply runningfeathers@yahoo.com
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Karla C |
Wow! I really wasn't expecting so many responses to my initial comments... I am really touched & encouraged by all of you. Thank you so much for caring enough to respond and for all the info too. I'm sorry that I'm just now getting back to writing, I've had my hands full with my grandbabies (what a blessing...not to mention they are excellence photo ops...LOL) My eldest son just returned from Germany after 3 yrs, and is heading out to Guam, just as my youngest is arriving home (after 410 days in Iraq)...Still on pins and needles waiting for his call. God Bless you all...
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Karla C |
Wow! I really wasn't expecting so many responses to my initial comments... I am really touched & encouraged by all of you. Thank you so much for caring enough to respond and for all the info too. I'm sorry that I'm just now getting back to writing, I've had my hands full with my grandbabies (what a blessing...not to mention they are excellent photo ops...LOL) My eldest son just returned from Germany after 3 yrs, and is heading out to Guam, just as my youngest is arriving home (after 410 days in Iraq)...Still on pins and needles waiting for his call. God Bless you all...
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Karla C |
oops!! sorry about the double hitter!! see what happens when you try to edit your spelling after you hit the submit button?...eeeek!! :o)
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Rose J. Altman |
Karla, I don't know if this is permitted, but I'm going to try. Please contact me directly at rosealtman@aol.com , not my email on betterphoto.com. I have contact info for you to report this. As you sent in money, this is classified as fraud & must be reported. If it helps, I am a legal secretary & have filed complaint. But this one really takes the cake. Now, I'm going to go further because this was really the lowest of the low to do to you. Please email me. Thanks! Rose
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Maxine Snyder |
Don't feel too bad, Karla---except for the money part. They've got most of us at one time or another. I got their letters and emails too. Sometimes I guess it's beneficial to be poor and not be able to justify sending money or going on vacations as it prevented me from being duped like you were. These people have been at this for a VERY long time. If you run a search for Photo contests on Google, these people come up about 50 times. I hope you and Rose are able to get somewhere with this fraud thing--I can't believe they've been getting away with duping so many people for so long! I'm in the legal business as well, but since I didn't actually lose anything I didn't bother with it...but they should be stopped. Heaven knows how much money they've made by their deceptive tactics! You just have to wonder how they've managed to operate all this time and not be shut down!
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Wayne l |
Yes, Rose you're right I it would be mail fraud and should go to the fraud dept. of the US Postal Dept. Go to your local post office and they have a form you can fill out and they will send it to the proper postal inspection divison. Wayne
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Karla C |
Howdy y'all, sorry I'm just now responding to the new messages. My son arrived home from Iraq, and he's been a bit ill...seems more than a few of the troops returning are having similar illnesses...But I am still enjoying having him home, he's like a tourist, he's in awe of the simplist convieniences that we all seem to take for granted...refridgerator, soft bed, hot showers, washing his clothes at will...the room he used to call too small, he now calls enormous! LOL It really allows me to put my wee annoyances into proper perspective. Thank you all again for taking the time to write, and care. God Bless you all.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
- Shirley D. Cross-Taylor Contact Shirley D. Cross-Taylor Shirley D. Cross-Taylor's Gallery |
Karla, Give you son our love and appreciation for his service to our country. Sure hope he feels better soon.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Loanne L. Commack |
I am greatful that there are people out there willing to discuss this. I too would have been dooped had I not come across this on Q&A. I am sorry to hear about all of the troubles y'all have been having.
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Katrina M. Scheidler |
Hello every one, I to have sent many a photos to both of thease places, and they have sent me the same responce as they sent you.but good thing I never sent any money to them, I am sorry for all your losses.keep up the good work every one, and smile for some time what you see trough the camera is better than not seeing at all. Katrina
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Katrina M. Scheidler |
Hello every one, hope you all had a great 4th of july, I did.I was reading and one of you have a site we can contact to report this problum to please may I have that so I also can tell them what a scam they are,thank you. Katrina
|
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here
Report this Thread |
||||||||