ViewBugReviews 249

I remember that when I first found this site, I was enthralled. There was so much to do and try out for a photographer! Since then, however, it really hasn't improved. I would actually argue the site has declined.
The biggest pull of the websites is its photo contests. This is where you are made to believe you can receive big prizes for good photography. However, this has turned into another cash grab for them. Most contests are reserved for their memberships. Finding a contest that you like and can do for free is a chore. There used to be a way to sort out the free contests from the elite ones, but now there is no way to do that. Viewbug makes you go through all of the elite contests to find a free contest, which creates a feeling of fulfillment with your free membership: a ploy to make you buy pro.
If you want to showcase your photography in any way, this is not the best site for you. The only thing you will get is a lot of spam and no prizes.

I have been a member for over two years now, I have not upgraded yet, but even as a member with a free membership, their support has been super helpful and treated me as if I was a paid member. The perks of having an account are great, as I can participate in free contests and create my own challenges. I also enjoy the community, as other photographers are willing to give you advice on your photos. Overall it has been a great experience.

Awesome photography, fun contests and many challenges created by other photographers.
I bought the membership to get unlimited uploads and access to videos to improve my photography, and I have to say I did get a lot more than only these two benefits. Received discounts for other products, I unlocked more contests and get more points which I'm still not sure how to use or redeem but will find out. Before buying the membership I had a question and reached out to support and within 1 day, they replied and resolved my inquiry. Overall, super happy, no complains and do recommend it!

So I'm a pro+ and first I thought that the site was fun, and enjoyed participating in contests and challenges... Then I started noticing how most of the contests where just full of pictures that did not fit the contest description, and how you could have fantastic pictures, spot on at the description be lower than someones shaky phonepics that barely fit in the description. So maybe the winner was handpicked but everything else is just random.

I tried to make my own challenge, and thought that that would be nice boost for getting noticed... well the issue is, you can't find the non-sponsored challenges anywhere! So even after marketing it on the forum (I'll get back to that soon) I just had 10 pictures submitted. So, even though I'm paying a silly high amount of money for "exposure and extras" I get nothing for it. Except for a "logo" that pretty much was my name in a circle... That's quite a expensive logo.

Then the forum, starting off, the forum was full of ideas, help and shoutouts about new challenges, and it was fun. Then the tones started changing, more and more negative comments about viewbug, and how people aren't getting what they've paid for, how customer service is non-existent and how unorganized the site has become. VB responded to these with shutting down the forum without notice, so now you have no possibility to actually connect with everyone else. So now we don't have the forum to connect, the challenges are impossible to get upped, contests winners/placements are randomized but mostly I feel discouraged by having the feeling that they made enough money to just let the site die. Even here you can see that they still tried to answer peoples comments, but not anymore. I recommend that if you are searcing for a photography contest site, go somewhere else, this site is taking its last breaths.

So, I receive a message that I have a new follower. I haven't been to the dang ViewBug site in months, or maybe years. I decide to go take a peek and see what's what.
Well, I can't login under my email address account, so I login via Facebook. That brings me to an account with ZERO of my photos. I realize I must have two accounts and try the "lost password?" link. That link takes to some ViewBug wall page.

OK, so I figure maybe it's just me. I'm tired. I'll just send a detailed message to tech support explaining all the things I've tried, all the links I noticed that were broken, and what happened when I clicked on those broken links. As a programmer, I write very detailed bug reports. I know how important details are when reporting an issue.
Twenty minutes later I have completed my email to support, click the "Send" button and... nothing. The link to send to tech support isn't working.

So, there's that.

I have not used this site for years, and saw a new charge for $59.00 on my credit card last august. After repeated attempts to reach them I was told basically sorry about your luck, and make sure not to renew again.? I told that operator and four more I wanted my account deleted, so low and behold today another $59.00 charge for another renewal. Uggh. Now there is no phone to contact, I have sent emails regarding this, and called in a dispute to my CC.

I have been on this site for several years now, thinking I will give it a chance! Well, I've wasted too much time already! If you choose to stay here for free and never upgrade to any of the paid memberships ( there is a very aggressive sales pitch for you to upgrade), you will get no exposure at all! I'm no fool! I have some pretty decent photos, and hardly anyone looked at them! I'm told that there are a large number of photographers on this site, yet when I enter any of the challenges or competitions in order to gain exposure, I noticed that in the end a very small number of people had a chance to view my photos (50 the most if I'm lucky)! I realized that half the time, my photos are not even shown! Another thing that bothers me are the winning photos! I have seen some amazing inspiring photos on this site, and yet, half the time the winning photos are a joke! I'm through! Time to move on. Out with the old, in with the new!

Watch your credit card charges. I upgraded my ViewBug subscription in late November to "Pro+" for $79. On January 1 an unauthorized charge from ViewBug for $79 showed up on another card that I had used once a year or two ago.

I contacted their Customer Support. They claimed they did not make the charge and consequently would NOT reverse the charges. I had to file a dispute with my CC company.

I have since deleted ALL my pictures, website and profile on ViewBug. I do no tolerate unethical companies and ViewBug is one!

I have been using the website for 3 years, it's funny but of really no much use to improve with photography. I decided to not renew the premium membership and unticked automatic renewal box on my account. I didn't realize it had to be deactivated also from Paypal (why?) so today I got an unwanted payment. I'm trying since hours to talk about the issue to get my money (which I badly need!) back, I have a Case open but have no idea if and when someone will answer. It's ridiculous they have nothing like a real time chat for urgent matters at least.