So eternal optimist/glutton for punishment enters his first competition of the year: it seemed respectable enough with proper rules, rights and jury- what's to lose, besides another, rather reasonable entry fee, and perhaps the last remaining vestige of whatever's left of my once youthful pride and dignity?
The results... the usual- with a twist. A very nice person involved in the competition (but not the judging) emails to tell me how much they liked my work, then asks if it was "a positive experience," and if I had any pertinent feedback. I reply that: I appreciate that their judging occurs anonymously (w/o the entrants names attached), but am very much surprised that an already familiar photograph that has already garnered critical acclaim won first prize, and that not even making it unto the honorable mention shortlist can't exactly make for "a positive experience." I receive yet another response saying said person just viewed my website and that with work that good... I didn't really need them! Seriously, they-actually-said-that. The guy who wins is represented by Panos and Getty, has appeared in Nat Geo, The Guardian, The BBC, etc, etc... he just "needs" it more than me!!!
The results... the usual- with a twist. A very nice person involved in the competition (but not the judging) emails to tell me how much they liked my work, then asks if it was "a positive experience," and if I had any pertinent feedback. I reply that: I appreciate that their judging occurs anonymously (w/o the entrants names attached), but am very much surprised that an already familiar photograph that has already garnered critical acclaim won first prize, and that not even making it unto the honorable mention shortlist can't exactly make for "a positive experience." I receive yet another response saying said person just viewed my website and that with work that good... I didn't really need them! Seriously, they-actually-said-that. The guy who wins is represented by Panos and Getty, has appeared in Nat Geo, The Guardian, The BBC, etc, etc... he just "needs" it more than me!!!
Of course! It was as I had suspected all along, years of artistic trials and tribulations have finally honed me into a paramount creative force that has seen me progress and evolve from someone simply beneath consideration- to someone well beyond any possibility of ever being considered!!! This is the year...
I - HAVE - ARRIVED.
10 comments:
Hey, I`ve got some ocean front property for sale. Shoot me an e-mail.
Does it have a nice view and a super max facility?
A lotta times people "ask" why even bother- fair enough...
Truth is, if I had the $$$, I'd be globetrotting year long hitting all the various photo reviews and festivals, showing off my work, glad-handing & networking, yada, yada- Doing what ya gotta do!
Me- I ain't even got the money to make the prints to take to a review, which automatically puts one at a very distinct and pronounced disadvantage. So every once in a while, I'll occasionally enter what at least sounds like a legit competition, even though in truth, I'm actually still competing against those very people who already have their connections in the playing field.
So yeah, chances are pretty nil- guess it's just nice to suit up once in a while...
You can`t hit the ball if you don`t swing. Years ago I had some success in contests but none since. I`ve looked at winning entries and said to myself, "where am I" Went to art school for awhile and got lower grades than the rest of the class (maybe it was because I was intoxicated and full of creative vigor). It`s illogical and difficult with little money but I never wanted to created from a large bank account. I want it raw and in the dark places where things grow. However, I don`t network or get myself seen. I am not very good around the internet and therein is my jugular. Don`t hide your talent under a lamp. Yeah, I hate the system too but revolution is from within. Know your enemy. Good Luck in your endeavors.
Face it, at our age we are just over qualified for just about everything. Let's see the image(s) you entered.
http://www.stanbanos.net/#5
http://www.stanbanos.net/people#8
http://www.stanbanos.net/signs#7
The theme was "Continents," so I entered three images featuring bridges (I'm sometimes told my entries lack thematic unity).
You can argue whether or not my images deserve even a mention, but two things are well beyond arguing: 1) the BS response I received, 2) if industry insiders are actively pursuing competitions such as this, it really tells ya just how desperate the industry really is...
I'm really torn Stan, because as much as I'd like to see you actually win one of these damn things, I'd also miss reading your posts lamenting the fact that you lost, again.
Mud- ya son of a bitch... ya just made my day!
Well Stan old boy I can see why your pics didn't make the cut. All you have to do is take a look at their website and see what they like. It isn't for the most part b&w and certainly not abstract ideas. Trying to fit that square peg in the round hole again. Part of being a good communicator or salesmen is knowing what your "target" wants. If you keep pitching and no ones catching then you have two choices, change your pitch or find that one special entity that is just waiting for what your pitching. Well you have three choices actually, you could give up all together. I'm with Mudhouse, I would miss the quarterly woe is me rant. So didn't give up. I like the images you submitted, but I'm sure deep down you knew they weren't going to get to far in the selection process. Better luck next time.
Honestly, at this point- what really ticks me off is that a working pro, an insider with an already known and awarded photo, is picked in a competition for aspiring photographers by yet another working pro.
Yeah, I know it's tough out there making a living and all- but let some of the guys outside the goddamn loop have a few crumbs sometimes!
And then throw salt in the wound with some twit saying we don't need them because...
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