Top 10 Tips to Win Photo Contests - What the Judges Look For

Gone are the days when Photography Contests were considered the domain of the professional photographer. There are hundreds of photography contests available to both amateur and professional photography enthusiasts. From local camera club contests to international photography competitions, themed or open entry, there is sure to be a contest to suit every keen photographer.

Of course, just with any other contests, there’s no better feeling than winning. The validation that judges are as impressed by your photos as you are is reason to be proud. For many photography enthusiasts, they may battle to ever experience that winning feeling, but don’t despair, here are 10 tips for winning photography competitions that will put you on the winning path.

It’s really vital that as a first step, you understand the terms and conditions of the photo contest you are entering. There have been many competitions where amazing photographs are disqualified because they haven’t followed simple rules of entry. Be sure to check instructions on file format, file size, subject or theme, entry close, entry fees, mounting instructions for submitting prints, maximum entries allowed and any other special instructions.

Another important consideration is copyright transfer. Some competitions state ownership of copyright once your photograph has been entered, of course this is not something most photographers would be comfortable with, so it definitely pays to check all the fine print.

Often a photography contest will be based around a specific theme. For the amateur photographer it's great to keep an eye out for local area photo contests. Competing locally often means there's plenty of time to capture that perfect shot without having to travel from home. It also means that professional photographers are less likely to enter, especially in photography competitions that are run by newspapers and local companies.

No matter what the theme, whether it be a single descriptive word such as "love", "smiles", "family" or a complete brief on exactly the type of photo required, be sure to think outside the square. Think about the theme and then think about different aspects of the topic. Love could include a number of interpretations, often children and family, so think about including animals, a heart drawn in the sand at sunset, or a heartbreak scene.

A small warning, while it's important to creatively interpret photo contest themes, be sure to stick to the theme, something too way out with no artistic reference to what the judges would expect could lose the competition even if it is the best photo of the day.

If the photo contest you are entering is being sponsored by a specific company or product, then as long as it is practical and it makes sense, use their product in the shot. Of course this isn't always possible, but it really can influence the outcome of the contest. Be creative with product placement, boring shots of your subject holding a bottle of juice, standing in front of a company sign etc, aren't going to inspire, get creative and increase your chances of winning.

Please continue on to page two to learn additional tips and tricks on how to win photo contests and what the judges look for.