ViewBug

I'm seeing a lot of reviews throwing the word "Scam" around. This is a little ridiculous. Even a cursory look at some of the profiles shows some extensive bio's and linked websites that easily prove there is nothing shady going on. The judges are real people with real websites too. If it's a scam, than it's a damn good one, and these people are going to WAY more trouble than it's worth. Are the people running the website trying to make a profit? Yes, they are. That's not a scam. That's called a business.

Now, some of the other complaints center around the award process. Should there be some kind of rule about submitting a winning photograph to other contests? Maybe--but keep in mind that ViewBug allows anyone to submit the same photos to as many contests as that person's subscription allows (whether it be PRO, Premium, etc.). So essentially the complaint is going something like this: "The best photo's are winning all the contests." Well... yes, they are. Shouldn't they? And this statement isn't coming from someone who has won anything. Are there times I think to myself, "Man, this just isn't fair--these people who are winning have such expensive equipment, and can go wherever they want to photograph the greatest scenes"? Sure. Welcome to the game of photography. The technology is much more accessible, but it's still a rich man's game.

All in all, you get out what you put in. If you're interested in networking, exposure, finding inspiration, and rubbing shoulders (so to speak) with people who are REALLY GOOD at what they do, you'll be really pleased with ViewBug. I've learned a lot just in a few short months, and I love using the topics of the contests as inspiration for my next shoot. It's a great way to get your creative juices flowing. Keep in mind that most photography contests will charge you per entry (or per every 3 photos or whatever), whereas if you pay for a a one year subscription to ViewBug for a PRO membership, you get unlimited access to every single contest they make available.

One of the other reviewers said, "There's no such thing as a free lunch". They are correct. If you come to ViewBug thinking you're going to submit a few decent photos and get showered with contest prizes and recognition, then move along, post those pictures on FB, and reap the rewards of those worthless "Likes" from your friends. If you're looking for opportunities to get exposure, network with other photographers, and get creative with a broad range of different topics of contests, ViewBug is well worth it.

I have been a member for a little under 6 months. Before joining, I did my due diligence and did some research into the ViewBug site. I stumbled upon these reviews and a few Facebook pages directed at calling ViewBug a scam. I have to say it almost deterred me from joining. I noticed though that it was only a handful of people who were having issues. ViewBug has hundreds of thousands of members so the ratio wasn't worrisome to me. One of the main complaints was how they hound you about joining or raising your membership level at a cost.
I cannot tell you the amount of emails I get from other reputable companies that offer similar services doing the same thing. ViewBug's sales model is no different than that of other companies. To me, this doesn't make it a scam or a bad site. People fail to realize the cost associated with running a site like this. I also read there were issues receiving and/or winning prizes. For me, I was looking for a site that I could receive honest feedback about my photos and learn in the process. In the end, I decided to join.
I am truly happy I did. Not only have a met a TON of talented photographers who I learn so much from on a daily basis but I also have gained a great deal of confidence in my own ability. The networking opportunities are so worth what I pay each month to be a member. When it comes to entering contests, yes, it's a numbers game. If there are 60,000 photographs entered in one contest or challenge, what are the odds yours will get noticed. You do get weekly emails letting you know roughly where your photo ranks ahead of other entries but nothing specific. I'm ok with this. I'm very motivated when I get an email saying my photo is ahead of 52,000 other photos. The bottom line to recognition is you have to work at it. I spend the time going through photographs and commenting on them, liking them and giving peer awards. I spend the time voting in contests that I am in. I also follow photographers who have similar styles and interests as my own. As I do this, I grow the number of followers, I noticed my votes started to increase and my ranking progressively get better. I make a point of interacting this way at least once a day. Because of this, I started gaining more and more likes, more and more peer awards etc. This make sense. Just like Facebook, your main feed is made up of people you follow. The more people you follow and that follow you, the more your work gets noticed. People usually return the follow when you follow them too. Overall, this site is no different than other sites that offer the same type of service. Yes, there is a membership fee. The higher the membership, the more you pay but the more you get. Of course I would like to win a contest but that's not my main goal. I would rather have my work noticed by like photographers and grow my name as a photographer than win a prize. I really like ViewBug, it's really done wonders for my confidence, my photography knowledge and inspires me daily.

And even worse, it's like pulling teeth to contact anyone, STOP CHARGING MY CARD EVERY MONTH! This is just ridiculous!

I really don't think that many, if any, of the negative reviews can be relied on. As an example; we have some saying that photographs that win the competitions shouldn't even be entered as they are rubbish, while others say it's unfair because they are so good the ordinary person doesn't stand a chance. A bit contradictory if you ask me.
The people that have the biggest downer on ViewBug call themselves professionals, really! If you are all so great why are you considering such sites? I come to the conclusion that these people, some of whom claim to teach photography, are just worried about losing some business which in my mind isn't very professional, it's called competition. I've seen a lot of so called professional's work (outside of ViewBug) and it is appalling. How they actually earn a living is beyond me, yet their arrogance seems to know no bounds.
I joined ViewBug in March 2016 and have had great fun. It inspired me to pick up my photography after 30 years away from it. I'm not a great photographer, never was, but I have improved with the help of ViewBug. I've tried techniques that I wouldn't have dreamed was possible. As for the whingers that haven't won a contest, then your in ViewBug for the wrong reasons. Why not do as I do? I joined with the intention of getting inspiration and improving, entering competitions are an added bonus. I join challenges they don't offer prizes but they offer exactly what they are, a challenge. There is often a distinct lack of entries - in comparison to competitions offering a camera or lens - but the quality is still high. I assume this difference is down to lusting after a free camera or improving your hobby skills.
I see one person complaining that it's often down to who has mastered processing. Why not? What's the problem? Don't these people realise that it has always been that way? Winning a competition or producing excellent work was never down to 100% what happened in the camera, a lot was down to processing and manipulation in the darkroom.
As for an anti-ViewBug Facebook page! Well, what do you expect? Nearly everything has an anti Facebook page usually started by someone that is disgruntled about not getting a freebie. Waken up, Facebook is the biggest trap on the internet.
As for receiving "likes" within seconds of putting up a photo, I wondered about that, but the reason is obvious. You post a photo and it is immediately shown on your followers wall, they like it. It's really not that hard to work out. As for claiming you received "likes" up to a week or two prior to taking on your membership, I just don't believe it. How on earth could that be possible unless ViewBug has some sort of telepathic link to prospective members.
ViewBug is great if you join for the right reasons, keep it up ViewBug.
I'll finish with a request. I would like to second the suggestion of the other reviewer for a forum. A place where we can ask for help and give advice.
Bill

The people who run this site are totally clueless. They lure you in with the plethora of meaningless "rewards" - you get nothing for these alleged rewards. A Good portion of the photos posted are sub-amateurish although having said that there are some outstanding pros that habituate the site. Of course you get little unless you pay annual fees to use the site.

There are lots of issues with the software, too numerous to mention, but the one I dislike most is the ability to paste something that you cut from something that you wrote off-site that you might want to use as a photo description.

As an side, I am not a disgruntled user who never one any of their silly awards. As of this writing, I have "won" ******* of their alleged awards and have 5382 followers - IOW, my stuff was quite popular on the site.

I live in Florida and I am a nature photographer. This time of the year it is hot, humid, buggy and the creatures are in short supply, hence to amuse myself I started a Photoshop project of putting my dog in various scenes. For example, the photo attached shoes him as one of the lions at the New York City Library.

I got a note from the rocket scientists who run the site claiming that I was violating their rules - I guess the clowns have no sense of humor - they are too busy out there protecting illegal immigrants I guess. They indicated that after years of using the site, I must remove the offending photos. In that I have been disenchanted with them and their alleged support when I have had an issue and in that I have to pay a annual fee to perpetuate said disenchantment, I informed them that they simply could delete my account and the 5078 photos I had uploaded over the years. They were finally fast to comply with a request!

Interestingly, for a site for which you have to pay, if you ever lose the original of one of your photos and which to download another copy from your own portfolios on this ridiculous site, you are unable so to do. Conversely, on the photo site Flickr, which is a free site, one can download the any photo in its full size at any time and there is no cost so to do.

Oh and yes, on the free sites of 500PX, Pixoto, and Society6, where I have uploaded a fraction of those uploaded to ViewBug, I have sold many of my photos. The same ones were available on ViewBug, including many what have won major International photo contests, been published full page in major publications, and have even been displayed in the Louvre in Paris, and not a single one has sold in the years I have been there.

Bottom Line: The site is a total waste of your time and money - go elsewhere!

I love to challenge myself by entering the contests on Viewbug. I also enjoy having a website to share my shots and encourage others to vote for my photos. I've been using this service since September 2023.