A photography contest typically involves participants submitting their images to be judged based on specific criteria, with winners receiving prizes or recognition.
Photography contests are popular ways for photographers of all skill levels to showcase their talent, gain exposure, and compete for various awards. While rules and themes vary widely between different competitions, the core process generally follows a similar pattern.
The Typical Stages of a Photography Contest
Participating in a photography contest involves several key steps:
1. Entry Submission
- Finding a Contest: Photographers start by finding contests that match their interests, skill level, and photography style.
- Understanding Rules & Themes: Each contest has specific rules, often including eligibility requirements, image specifications (format, size, resolution), and themes or categories (e.g., nature, portrait, abstract). Deadlines are crucial.
- Preparing and Submitting Photos: Participants select their best images that fit the criteria, often editing them according to contest guidelines. Submissions are typically made online through a dedicated platform, often involving an entry fee per image or per submission bundle.
2. Judging Process
Once the submission period closes, the judging begins. This is a critical phase where a panel of judges reviews all the entries.
- Expert Panel: Photo competition judges are highly image literate and see lots of images in the course of a year. They are experienced professionals, artists, or critics with a deep understanding of photographic technique, composition, lighting, and visual storytelling.
- Review Criteria: Judges evaluate images based on criteria often outlined by the contest, such as:
- Creativity and Originality
- Technical Quality (sharpness, exposure, focus)
- Composition
- Adherence to the theme
- Impact and Emotional Resonance
- Standing Out: Since judges see a vast number of images, if you want your entry to stand out, start by being original. Judges look for fresh perspectives and unique visions. Often entrants copy previous winners, and they are never going to win by doing that. originality is key to making an impression among countless submissions.
- Rounds: Large contests often have multiple rounds of judging, narrowing down the entries from thousands to a shortlist, finalists, and finally, the winners.
3. Selection of Winners
After the judging is complete, the winners and often a selection of highly-rated entries are chosen.
- Winner Categories: Contests usually award prizes for overall winners (e.g., Grand Prize) and winners within specific categories. There might also be honorable mentions or runner-up prizes.
- Prizes: Prizes can range from cash awards, photography equipment, and software to publication opportunities (in magazines, books, or online galleries), exhibitions, and recognition within the photography community.
4. Announcement and Recognition
The final stage involves announcing the results and showcasing the winning work.
- Notification: Winners are typically notified directly before the public announcement.
- Public Announcement: Results are usually published on the contest's website, social media, and sometimes in affiliated publications.
- Showcasing Work: Winning and shortlisted images are often displayed in online galleries, exhibitions, or printed publications associated with the contest, providing valuable exposure for the photographers.
Summary Table
| Stage | Key Activities | Outcome for Participant |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Submission | Find contest, read rules, prepare photos, submit entry (often with fee). | Photo entered into the competition. |
| Judging Process | Panel reviews photos based on criteria (originality, technique, theme, etc.). | Photos are evaluated and ranked. |
| Winner Selection | Top entries chosen by judges across categories. | Potential winner/finalist status. |
| Announcement | Results are publicly shared, winners notified. | Recognition, prizes, exposure. |
Understanding how judges evaluate images, particularly their emphasis on originality due to the sheer volume of photos they review, is crucial for any photographer looking to succeed in a competition. Copying popular styles or previous winners rarely works.
