Contests are absolutely necessary to enter both for budding and professional photographers. There are so many reasons to enter photography contest like increasing your competitive mentality, improving your skills, and so on. But, what if you enter contests again and again and don't win any? Despite having good technical knowledge and talent, many photographers falter to win the contests.
Sounding similar? Do you relate to it? Here are some points that will increase your chances of winning any photography contests, no matter what.
Here are the top 5 Tips to win any photography contest:-
1. Always follow the rules and regulations of the contests:-
Always follow the rules and regulations of the contests:- It is perhaps the most important tips that you should follow. You'll be surprised to know so fewer contestants actually read the rules and regulations. Any violation of the rule can dismiss your entry, however eligible you are. So, you must go through the points carefully where they mentioned the deadline, format etc. Also, you must be clear about the policies of the organizers on how are they going to use your photos. Otherwise, it may so happen that they use your photos for commercial purposes and you end up getting nothinNG
2. Know about theme clearly:-
Sounds silly, right? Who enters a photography contest without knowing about the theme? It's really strange that people do that! Yes, they know about the theme, but don't give much thought to it. They let their imagination and creativity run wild, and submit a photo that doesn't have even a distant relation with the theme of the contest! Many good photos just get rejected because of this. So, you must not put an attempt to amaze the judges with your new aspects of shots that don't go with the theme. Try to analyze the theme, but stick to it. Your chances of winning will increase multiple folds.
3. Try to do some experiments:-
Sticking to the image doesn't mean you should shot cliches. Try to be more experimental with your techniques, subjects, and compositions. One thing is for sure that cliches never win. So you might need a lot of brainstorming before getting your perfect shot. Also, make sure that your photo is technically flawless. There should not be any fault in terms of focus, exposure, or composition.
4. Tap the emotions of the audience:-
Everyone is moved by emotions, so as the judges! And photography is a great field to agitate various feelings and emotions creatively. Make sure your photo tells a story so that the audience can feel connected to it. The more emotionally appealing your photo is, the more is your chance of winning.
5. Get genuine feedback before submitting:-
Even if you are absolutely sure about which photo to send for the competition, you should always get a second opinion. If you can't have a review from professional photographers, go and ask your friends or relatives. Often, nonphotographers can give genuine opinions too as they judge on the basis of emotional appeal context. It particularly works if the contest is of the 'Audience Choice' type. No matter however confident you are about your talent and skills, honest feedback always helps.
Apart from the tips mentioned above, you should always do one thing after entering any contest- Go through the winning photographs of the previous contests organized by the same authority or sponsors. You will get an idea about the kind of photos they appreciate. For the same reason, you should search for the works of the judges also. It will also give you better inspiration.
As you have got enough tips, hopefully, you are all set to bag the prize for the upcoming photography contest.
Written By Sanga Basu, Content Writer, WPC
