Pixiq

You are now building a portfolio of photographs. Your friends and family are commenting about how good they are. Are you ready to start entering your photography in contests? Here are a few points to note. This is geared toward the amateur photographer and is a basic quick-start guide. If you want even more tips and hints, be sure to check out Jeff Wignall’s book, Winning Digital Photo Contests.

Study and Research

 Spend time viewing previous winners of contests that are similar to the one you are entering. Spend time examining the photos and ask yourself why they won. Do your photos have these qualities?

Rules

 Read and understand the rules or guidelines of the contest. Make certain that your entry meets to parameters of the contest. It is simple. Don’t waste your time.

Judging is Personal

Shooting photography has two aspects: shooting for yourself and shooting for someone else. Submitting photos to a contest should be from the latter. Your entry must speak to the judge at the other end. Photos of your backyard barbeque party will most likely hold no interest for a judge. It may hold a personal attachment for you, but unless it is creative or unique, it may go nowhere.

Emotional Detachment

The photograph is yours. You made it. You worked hard for it and entered it. You love it! Now forget all of that. Just because you hiked, climbed, waited, froze or otherwise suffered for that shot does not necessarily make it a winner. The amount of effort expended does not directly translate to success in photography. Print it and hang it on the wall for some time. Study it. Ask others for their honest opinion.

What Judges Want

In a recent poll of current and former judges from Digital Image Cafe, 100 respondents said the first thing that they look for is “Impact.” A majority want to be WOWed! Your photo must jump off the page and stand out. Keep in mind that many of the other qualities play an important part in the first place “WOW” factor. Here is the breakdown:

30% : Impact, The "WOW" factor
20% : Composition
15% : Clarity / Quality / Technical Ability
15% : Interest / A story / A statement / Connection to image
14% : Uniqueness / Creativity
06% : Other

Things Beyond Your Control

I have yet to meet the computer that can judge art. Art is emotional and visceral. Humans will be the judge of your art if it is not a random drawing contest system. You will be at the whim of a person or persons and they will be having their own drive. One never knows what type of day they are having.

Judging is comparative. As a judge goes from one entry to the next, the preceding or subsequent entry will have a bearing on the opinion of yours. Your entry may rise or fall in comparison to other entries at the time. When you feel that you have a contender, keep entering it in contests even if it does not win right away. Enter it again and again. You never know when the mood will be right in that human on the other end!

Conclusion

You will never know until you try. Get entering your photography. I have personally seen many an artist go from, um, not-so-good to outstanding over the years. Seek out honest critique of your work, no matter how much it may hurt.

Digital Image Cafe is an online community dedicated to the promotion of those with an interest in Photography and the Digital Arts through sharing, communication and resources. We strive to provide a friendly environment where our members can grow, learn and have fun. The primary focus of this organization is to offer a place where one can grow their skills through relevant information, the assistance of other members and partners whom share similar interests and goals.

Photos are copyright of their respective owners; Manny Librodo, Stuart Dahne, Heather McFarland, Zenon Char, Travis Novitsy and are used with permission.