by Melanie Rockett
Photo contests are generally for just about anyone who is interested in entering, whether you are:
Working as a professional photographer.
An amateur photography enthusiast.
Someone with a creative eye and a camera.
Just bored with your routine.
Unlike poetry or cooking contests (where there’s a definite level of skill involved) almost anyone can start taking pictures with a camera. With digital cameras getting better and better, there’s really not much you have to learn. Photography has truly become a ‘point-and-click’ affair.
What are the benefits of entering a photo contest?
That’s a perfectly legitimate question, Photograph Contests are a great way to:
a) Win prizes.
b) Showcase your skills - your winning photo may be published in very high profile photography magazines and books.
c) Be judged by your peers, experts and critics in your field.
d) Receive wonderful benefits such as the opportunity to talk with editors, well-known photographers, equipment manufacturers and more.
e) Get your ‘15-minutes of fame’ or at least receive instant exposure.
The prizes range from small cash prizes to fully equipped photo studios from a few rolls of film to exotic photo safaris.
Here is a short list of some of the prizes being offered from current and past contests:
* Survey wolves, bears and chamois when you participate in a Biosphere Land Rover Expedition to Slovakia’s Tatra Mountains.
* A three-week overland adventure in Tanzania, Kenya and Zanzibar
* An $8,500 Grand Prize that includes a Nikon camera, lenses and flash system, notebook computer and printer, software and many other accessories.
* A Grand Prize worth $9,300. Including: a trip to the Northwest Territories and a Nikon Digital camera kit.
Besides winning prizes, you also have an opportunity to build your own real-world portfolio and depending on the contest, being a winner (or even finishing near the top!) can launch your photo career.
So why are you hesitating?
How to Begin the Process
Get started by choosing a contest. Check out this comprehensive ‘list of photo contests’ (link to your website’s photo contests page) at www.proofpositive.com. Here you will find dozens of current photo contests. The list is constantly updated, so visit often.
The first step is selecting a contest. Then go to this comprehensive ‘list of photo contests’ (link to your website’s photo contests page) at www.proofpositive.com where there are dozens of on-going photo contests. The active contest list is continually updated, so check back often.
Insider Tips for Entering Contests
Every contest is different. There are different eligibility standards as well as different rules and entry regulations. One of the first things you have to do is determine whether or not you are qualified for the contest. Here are a few other tips:
- Follow all the instructions! This cannot be emphasized too strongly! Ensure that you know the theme of the contest that is being run. It’s amazing the number of people who submit their favorite picture of their new puppy to a nature- or scenic-themed contest! Most contests have a limit to the number of submission each entry can make.
- Scout the contest website for past winners, and take a look at the pattern with which judges select winners. Photo contests aren’t exactly 100 meter sprints; the judges are subjective (beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that), and while they do their best to be objective and impartial, it’s imperative that you have an idea of what they consider ‘winning’ material.
- Make sure that you have read the terms & conditions of participating in each contest you want to enter. Some contests require you to forfeit the copyright to your photo/work just by entering the contest. Why bother showcasing your work if you’re going to grant legal rights to it to someone else? Make certain you read ALL the details and legal information!
That’s it! Just register, get exposure for your work, and collect great prizes!
About the Author:
For a comprehensive list of current
photograph contests, visit
Proof Positive and click on the “Photo Contests” tab. This site also offers advice for amateur and professional photographers on how to make money with your photographs and discusses niche photography markets.