Being the curious fellow that I am, I found it weird to see that you and your wife Heather were no longer at JPG magazine. So I Googled, “JPG Business Articles,” and low and behold hear I am reading about how it is you and your wife have been tossed out of the company that the both of you built. Not for nothing, I just can’t be a part of something that has been unscrupulously taken away from someone, especially something so beautiful as JPG. I immediately wet to my JPG account and pulled myself from the site. Please, whenever you set up another magazine, or website, let me know about it I’ll be the first one to sign up. Thank you and Heather for all of the hard work you’ve done.

Kenneth M. Ortiz

Just thought it was funny to see hundreds of photos on the site that are at a certain level of quality and then you open up the mag to see a ton of work that I NEVER saw on the website. Made me think that the whole process was just a scam. Of course a few photos made it in from the site I’m sure, but I’m not buying the whole concept. I am in publishing myself (www.believeinone.com) so I’m no stranger to putting together a magazine (we publish 6x per year @ 64 pages with contributors from around the world).

After reading this blog and other reports, now I know that there is no reason to believe that there is any integrity at this publication. It just affirms a hunch I had. Sorry to hear about this situation. You obviously have great ideas, so I wouldn’t worry about it. Move on, start a new project, and take them down! Nothing ever survives without the spirit that gave birth to it…

Now is the time you should be most proud of your story and having left. I only just heard about this today, as I was searching for information on bad things happening with JPG.

I recieved the new issue only yesterday, and was completely dumbfounded as to how the image that graces the cover even made it to the publishing stage at all. If you give a good look, you will see parts of the steering wheel are missing, where the photog did a poor job of outlining and adding in the new sky. (and most likely just did a select and feather based on the missing piece, the halo effect and very soft edges of the car window frame)

I was amazed that a magazine would post submission rules that state “We’re about mostly unmodified photos. That means we do not accept photos that have been overly Photoshopped. Adjustments to color and sharpness is just fine, of course. Just keep it real, baby. Here’s a handy rule: If anything has been digitally added or removed (well, besides dust), it’s probably not right for JPG.” and then publish this photo – ON THE COVER no less.

I have been a graphic designer and photographer for a long time, and have worked over many images for commercial purposes…so believe me when I say that I have seen WORSE jobs done, but this one would never get by me for print or any other use. I couldn’t believe this got past you guys.

And now I understand that it didn’t. Because you aren’t there.

Well, neither am I anymore. And as one person in the beginnings of going on his own, to someone that has been there (you) and will be again…KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON!

Jack

Once the initial shockwaves subsided, I found myself walking tall, shoulders high, proud of myself for my actions.

So should you.

The Powazek name with forever be synonymous with JPG Magazine. You and Heather are brilliant!

The cream will rise to the top. That’s what you and Heather are. You must know deep down that this will make you stronger and attract the right people/circumstances to your future. There might not seem like any justice at the moment, but you can sleep at night and feel good about whatever you do. It’s inspiring to see people with principles that aren’t afraid to stand by them. I for one would like to be part of ANYTHING you are involved with in the future. I’d say good luck, but your already making your own.

: >