Pixiq

Joining a Challenge or entering a Contest can certainly be one way to break out of a slump. These are also great ways to meet peers and try out photographic techniques that may be new to you. I’m following along with photochallenge.org’s 2008 challenge in order to fine tune my landscape and street photography skills. While I know the technical aspects of these types of photography I didn’t really practice those skills often. I’m forcing my creative brain to adapt to unfamiliar territory, as far as photography goes. This really has a ton of benefits!

By joining a group or challenge your going to get a chance to meet peers and to study what they are doing artistically. This is a fantastic way to add new photo skills and techniques, as well as adding ideas to your arsenal. I promise that you will run across some images that will make you wish you had thought of it first! Sometimes it can be a great angle or depth of field used to capture something that is normally drab.

Put those skills to test by entering contests. It’s a great way to show off your work, and to maybe win a prize or two. Do keep in perspective the amount of images submitted to the contests and don’t get discouraged if you don’t win one ever! I’ve entered works in contests and open calls that didn’t get a nod at some places then was loved at the next. On any given day a jury or judge will choose an image that is conducive to his/her emotions at the time. An image can have a huge impact on one person one day, then not really impress them on a different day. I’ve seen it myself as part of a jury.

Try not to only enter contests you feel comfortable entering. This is an opportunity to try something new. Break free of your comfort zone and your creativity will soar once you get back to the everyday!

To follow along with my journey through online challenges and contests head on over to my photoblog A Cognitive State of Mind