Digital BW, The Print

Harvey

I'm interested in your take on this. On the surface they look no worse to me
than competing publications, such as Communication Arts, or American
Photography. So, while I'm sure everything you say is true, how are they
different than the others? Okay, you don't get a free book out of it, but
their submission fees are a lot more reasonable than most of the others I've
seen. I like that. I don't know of any high end publication that doesn't
charge some entry fee for submissions and many charge you an additional fee
for scanning and separations if your work is selected. I suppose I'm not
crazy about them reserving the right to continue to use your work for future
publications but, I wonder how many times they've actually republished an
image. Furthermore, most people enter these types of award competitions for
the exposure, so additional publication in a future volume would be more
good fortune.

Seems to me that if you want your work to be seen at the highest level in
the commercial arts world and given the stamp of approval by the one of the
highest arbiters of taste (in that segment of the industry), the reasonable
entry fee makes for the cheapest advertising you can get (if your work is
selected) and probably much more effective than source book ads. It's not
free at $30 for 5 submissions, but the reward to risk ratio seems really
small to me.

With that said, I do respect your opinion, so I'd like to hear more about
your experience with them. I'm just not sure I see why you are disenchanted
with them. Was there nothing good that came from being published by them? Do
you feel the same way about all the awards books? Do you feel the same
if/when you're submitting commercial work?

Todd


> Despite the fact that Graphis does beautiful publications, and despite the
> fact that in the past I had my work
> in their first book of Nudes (Graphis Nudes), I have to say that they have a
> terrible attitude towards their
> artists, I would never enter again.
> 
> They charge you for the privilege of submitting work for publication in a book
> that they sell for a profit.
> Even if you get in the publication, they don't give you a copy of said
> publication....they give you a measly
> discount (which is still above the wholesale price...so they are making even
> more money, beyond the entry
> fee).  They also reserve the right to reprint these images in future editions,
> to earn even more money off of
> you.
> 
> While I understand the desire to have one's work seen, it is just another, in
> a long line of examples of
> artists being abused by 'the system'...It's not like they are a 'not for
> profit'....this is how they make
> their money.
> 
> end of rant.
> 
> Harvey Ferdschneider
> partner, SKID Photography, NYC
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> sdmey4@... wrote:
> 
>> Todd, thanks for this, you saved me making the anouncement myself. I'am
>> packaging up my entry tonight! Graphis books are of the highest quality, and
>> so beautifully done. Any photograher would be honored to be included in one
>> of there publications.
>> I've been busy and almost forgot about it, and then I was thinking/is my
>> stuff really photography? Anyrate I'm sending them 7. Digital files, and
>> matching Ink prints.
>> Steve M.
>> In a message dated 10/09/2001 8:43:37 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
>> tflash@... writes:
>> 
>> 
>>> Thinking about Steve M's possible large print sale deal --particularly
>>> thinking how beautiful his work is-- made me think I should let you all know
>>> about a call for entries by Graphis Publications for their first edition of
>>> a book called Flora 1. The deadline is October 15th. I know several people
>>> on this list have wonderful bodies of work which focus on plant life.
>>> However, I called their office and they are open to landscapes too if their
>>> focus is on flora/fauna-- so it's not just for photos of flowers.
>>> 
>>> Graphis is a very highly regarded publisher that many creatives look through
>>> it for inspiration, so not only is it an honor to have your work selected
>>> for publication but it's also great PR which can often lead to sales and
>>> assignments. I'd say their focus is primarily on the commercial arts but
>>> with a greater emphasis on the word "art" than just about all others of it's
>>> kind.
>>> 
>>> The usual disclaimers apply, I'm just a fan of their books and magazine and
>>> hope to submit a few inkjets of my own. If anyone enters, good luck.
>>> 
>>> Here's the link:
>>> 
>>> http://graphis.com/bks/cfe/cfe.cal.0.EN.html
>>> 
>>> Todd