Exhibition Scams

[cliveh]

I believe there are some photographic calls for entry exhibitions/competitions that are merely scams to extract money from photographic artists. Perhaps APUG members could list any they think are in this category on this thread.

 

[amsp]

Seems nowadays everyone is trying to make a quick buck holding competitions. I get hounded with "invitations" on a regular basis and I ignore them all. I'm sure it's good business for them though, usually the prices they give out are only a fraction of what they are making with all those entry fees. The example above was particularly laughable though.

 

[eddie]

Some are, some aren't... If you want to reach a wider audience with your work (i.e. better galleries/publications/etc.), you need to develop a good CV. One way to do so is to enter, and be accepted, to competitions. In order to pre-qualify entrants, they usually have a fee. Sometimes part of the fee will go to an accomplished juror, in an attempt to add cachet to the competition. If there is a physical show involved, some of the money may go to the expenses of the staff needed to hang the show, as well as publicity, and whatever refreshments are offered at the opening. Remember, though, if you are accepted, you'll need to pay to ship your work both ways (unless, of course, it sells), so a $30 entry fee can end up costing quite a bit more.
I can't speak to "on-line" competitions, as they seem a bit shady to me...

Michael- the competition you posted seems legit, to me. As a member of a few Art Leagues, I have witnessed the effort put in to their competitions. This one has a physical show, cash awards, and contact information. Whether the manner in which they contacted you was ethical, I have no idea. But, Art League competitions are a very good way to dip your toes into the jury process.

A few years ago I was given some good advice about entering competitions:
1- Call and ask how many entries they had the prior year. If they won't tell you, be wary.
2- Research the juror(s). See if your work falls into their area of interest/style. It will improve your chances of acceptance.
3- Enter large pieces in local (drop-off) competitions. Smaller pieces in competitions which require shipping.

 

[John Austin]

This seems like one as well, but as part of a very expensive book - But I don't know, anyway the cost of a single page = a lot of travel and film

"Dear John

I visited your online portfolio, and I liked your work. I would like to invite you to submit work for inclusion in "International Masters of Photography”, a juried annual art photography publication presenting noteworthy photographers from all over the world.

Please note that this is not a free inclusion. If you are interested, I will send you more information or you can visit: http://wwab.us/index.php/Photography-Application/

To get an idea of the quality of our publications, you can view other books of ours on the same site.

We organize a large group exhibition for the photographers appearing in this book, at the Southern Nevada Museum of Fine Arts, which is located in Las Vegas. Contact us for more information.

Best regards,
Ornella Martin - Assistant Curator
World Wide Art Books,INC
1907 State Street
93101 Santa Barbara CA
Tel / fax +1 805 845 3869

www.worldwideartbooks.com"

 

[amsp]

This seems like one as well, but as part of a very expensive book - But I don't know, anyway the cost of a single page = a lot of travel and film

Those kind of books are the same deal really, only packaged differently. They massage your ego, make you feel special and then they make a killing from the fees.

 

[Moopheus]

Those kind of books are the same deal really, only packaged differently. They massage your ego, make you feel special and then they make a killing from the fees.

Plus, presumably, sales of the book to the people included. These sorts of vanity projects occur in the literary world, too. Especially in poetry, since the ratio of wannabe poets to real markets for poetry is pretty high.