Ever Entered a Photo Contest of any kind?

I have had mixed results with photo competitions and entries, 

some years I do well and others I,

not so much. 

The things that won did not necessarily shock or suprise me that they won. 

What did?

That they were able to collectively grab multiple judges attention in order to propel themselves above other extremely worthy entries and notable photographer names in their respective field.  

This is always an honor as well as some luck in finding that symbiotic vein in a completely objective and intangible quality that somehow elevated your work above 1,000's of other entries.  No one knows how to win an art contest all the time, at least in photography.

The things I felt were going to do well and ascend me to the dizzying heights of the art world, however, once again not so much.... 

Also, these competitions are not cheap, make sure the ones you enter justify the cost.  Typically the ones offering cameras and gear or cash as well as fame are great, if you win.  

The best are all about the notoriety that the competition will bring you alone.  

Most photography friends of mine already know this, but for the others that do not, if you are interested in these things, Communication Arts Photo Annual and L'urzers Archive seem to have the most broad appeal and viewership by those that hire photographers for commercial work based on editorial or competition entry work.  Otherwords, these are the 2 big dogs for Art Buyers and Creatives at the places you want to work for.  PDN while a fantastic mag, appeals to photographers not necessarily the people that hire photographers, some do, not all.

Well, the article below is a pretty comprehensive guide to read before you decide to throw that $80 at your next submission:

Here is an article from an excellent little magazine called Art Calendar about entering your

work in juried contests. 

Bailout, Schmailout.... Mag industry latest to nose dive.

The latest of great news on our economic front is the great news that our beloved photo industry is going to get tougher to get into the big magazines.  Check out the post here on this:

http://www.wwd.com/media-news/fashion-memopad/fashion-magazines-bear-brunt-of-economic-meltdown-1859479?navSection=media-news&toc_preselected=65#/article/media-news/fashion-memopad/fashion-magazines-bear-brunt-of-economic-meltdown-1859479?page=1

Cloud Atlas: If you don't know now you know!

As of late I have been trying to regain my passion for reading something other than magazines and short stories. I always have one or two novels in some form of unfinished reading.

During most of my twenties I was too poor to have a fancy television or afford cable, now I am just as poor but managed to get the fancy tv and cable when I was not poor.

Anyway, the point is this; I have not been I guess you would call it "amazed" by a writers particular style since I discovered Pynchon in college.

David Mitchell has mastered Herman Melville's style, Philip K. Dick twists, Nabokov and Faulkner "esque" dialogue bending, Anthony Burgess dialogue inventing, Huxley's future,  Cormack McCarthy's bloodlust and bloodletting and yet it is all his own.

I am no literary critic but all of the big ones agree this book is awesome. Even if you do not read novels and think fiction is shit, still buy this book. Keep it in your travel bag, beach bag, bedside table, bathroom, it will eventually get it's hooks into you.


It is basically six books in one (but really multiply it by 2 and the divide it by 2= exactly) and written with the perfection of a symphony. I believe that I am one of the more well read knuckleheads of my ADD ridden/MTV generation. 

Truly art with words and if you do not get it, I feel for you.  

My dad who reads more than I do and has tried his hand at the novel and I believe he should continue doing so, basically forced this book on me.  

I did not dig it wholeheartedly until the 3rd story, but even then was like,"WTF where is this going?"

When the scope of it and the way he does it finally hit home, I understood.  Genius.

When you get to Sloosha's Crossin' 'n' Ev'yrthin' After, remember to protect your babbit and watch out for Kona and protect the Prescient and the Orison.  So dork am I.  I have said way to much.

BUY CLOUD ATLAS yesterday!

McCain/Greenberg Part Deaux

I would love to say more about this situation, but Mark Tucker I think has put it best thus far:

http://marktucker.wordpress.com/2008/09/16/what-ive-learned-from-this-greenbergmccain-fiasco/

Also Rob Haggart and his blog of goodness have a great take it on it as well:

http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/09/16/jill-greenberg-is-not-afraid-to-dump-all-her-clients-at-once/

Both worth a read as the ripple effect of this could be huge on the photo industry.

Jill Greenburg, let us know how you really feel.

Jill is apparently not afraid to voice her opinion. Likely to say this is the last time the Elephants allow her into the zoo to take pictures. I guess you can do whatever you like after Gwen Stefani pays you a cool mil to do her album cover (at least that is the legend). She is also famous for pics of monkeys and crying babies. Always the same light set up, whatever, 2 octobanks, a ringflash, and some edge lights tweaked in just right and it will look good. Amy Guip is way better and more creative, my opinion may be a bit biased.

Check out all of her McCain hatred on display:

http://www.imagebam.com/gallery/75fe3a4650f53f809a541bbda6f05a1c/

Her site if you want to see her other work:
http://www.manipulator.com/

Please watch this the whole way through...