Tips on How to Win a Photo Contest

Photography contest offers great ways to gain exposure to your work, and win great prizes while doing so. Other props include having your photo appear in popular magazines such as National Geography as well as in ad campaigns. Here are some steps that will help you win a photography contest.

1. Practice your shots

Hone your talent to capture unique elements of a shot that will give your photo the edge over other competitors. This will automatically set your work apart from the others, and give you a chance to be selected in the batch that will move on.

2. Work with the theme

Do not try to work an existing photograph into the theme of the competition. If you do not have a photo that matches the theme, try instead to capture a photo that does. If the contest requires a portfolio entry then ensure that your photos have a common thread that they follow so that they synchronize to reveal that theme as opposed to appearing disconnected from each other. Whatever you do, stick to the topic.

Photo by Karen Summers

It is best to keep your photograph for a competition simply as opposed to taking shots that are complex, and shows off too many elements and techniques. Keep it simple, but let it tell a powerful story.

3. Do your homework. Get acquainted with the contest

For repeat competitions it is good to research past entry winners. If it is a fairly new or one time competition you could view competitions that are similar in nature. This is a good way to gain some insight into what the administrators of the competition are looking for and what they expect of the entries. Your aim is to find the common factor that the judges might be looking for in the photo entries. The winning photos can give you an idea as to the quality that appeals to them.

4. Get feedback on your work

Get feedback on your photograph from peers or persons who have an eye or taste for such things. You may be surprised at just how much critics can help you produce better shots. Start gathering your shots early, and take several shots of the scene or object you want to enter. Evaluate your technique, and play around with your shots a bit. This will allow you enough time to vet and make changes to your shots.

5. Read and follow the rules

Follow the rules that are laid out for competitors. Get acquainted with them by reading them over several times. Ensure that your photo is of the required size, imagery, pixels ect. Your first chance of getting eliminated is to send in a photograph that does not fulfill the rule requirements. Follow the submission guidelines, get any queries or concerns you may have cleared up before you do so.

6. Send in your entry while there’s time to spare

Do not wait until the last minute to send in your entry. Many people tend to do the same thing which means the judges may have to rush to get through all the late entries, and yours might just get lost in the stock of work they have to get through. A day or two before the closing date should be sufficient as you want your photo to still be fresh in the mind of the judges.