Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

Crashoran

I'll try to keep this as simple as I can, it's a long story.

I entered a photo contest, took several months for it to end.

On the very last day of voting, I was in first place hours before voting ended. All of a sudden, a photo appears in first place with over 10,000 votes. It's the owner of the contest's photo, and I know it's his photo because it's right in his portfolio on the website. I think to myself "uhhh..what's going on" and decide to ignore it and keep getting votes from friends/family to overturn it and jump back into first. I was so mad that this was being rigged.

I jump back into first. About 15 minutes later the owner immediately closes the contest and says it has been canceled due to "hacking".

I send an email demanding an explanation. After being ignored for several hours, I threaten legal action. The contest immediately opens back up with his photo removed from the top ranked.

The owner sends me an email along with an apology:
-------------------------------------------------
I apologize for the mess of the past 24 hours.

Honestly the situation is this, the ex-employee we had build the site decided to take it upon himself to bring my photo to the top ranking because he knew all of our staff and friends were aware that the photo of the dogs was my photo. It was one of the first added to the site. He was attempting to cause me distress which I would say he definitely succeeded.

Anyways you've won. Congratulations.
-------------------------------------------------
So whether he is telling the truth or not about the ex-employee, is beyond me, I will never trust one of these things again. Too much stress.

Imagebuffet · 10:40 PM

I'm not sure how to say this, but at what point did you think these contests were a good idea? I've always considered them a scam. My Mom keeps encouraging me to enter contests, but I think they are a waste of time and worse.

Besides, getting everyone's friends and family to vote on the "best" picture, simply on the basis that you are popular, is a really stupid way to base a contest.

I think that TPF has a rule against soliciting for votes, too, though I'm not sure. I know that several other sites do.

Sorry, I feel like I'm kicking you when you are down and an easy target, but I've been stewing about this for a while.

KJ Smith · 10-14-2009, 10:43 PM

Is this the one where you were up for the 5DII?

Congrats on the win.

Crashoran · 10:55 PM

This was the only one I've entered other than the Ritz photo contest a few years ago. I thought I'd give this one a try, but never in my mind would I have imagined one of the employees (or ex-employees) would actually try to rig the contest.

I learned my lesson.

Also, I didn't know that thread I created before was against rules, apologies. I assumed it was ok when I remembered Webtech doing the same for the Canon sports contest.

Roy · 10-14-2009, 11:26 PM

I don't see any rule violation Nick. The only time I've seen anything about seeking votes for a contest is if the contest is one for this forum. I think you're safe.

janikphoto · 10-14-2009, 11:57 PM

So, what did you win? And, by the way... many contests are scams. You need to feel very confident about the people backing the contest. The entry fees can make these people a mint, or the free contests can either rights grab your images or sell your contact info to advertisers...