Are there any real benefits of entering photo competitions? Definitely. While not for everyone there are definitely some positive benefits according to some fellow photographers and digital artists I spoke to recently.
Camera Clubs
While some feel camera clubs are not willing to move forward with current trends, I think there is still plenty of room for Camera Club competitions and Peer Reviews. This is especially if you can receive constructive criticism and feedback on your work. It’s a great way to learn and grow as a photographer since you can see how other images did in the same category as yours.
International Competitions
Bigger internal competitions are more prestigious and have a wider audience for your work, whether digital art or photography. They allow you to gain recognition and awards. Seeing what is happening overseas allows the artist to stay relevant and up-to-date with current trends. Often there can be real financial rewards as well.
“To say I am a multi award-winning photographer is a great selling point. You can add to business pages and use for marketing purposes and it can help secure work”
~ Lana Bowen
“I like to enter local competitions to see if my images have improved over time.”
~ Sue Adorjan
I enter competitions to remain relevant, the main benefit is a wider audience for my artwork.”
~ Denise McDermott
What about the cost?
In today’s economy, the cost is a big item to factor in. If it is a physical print competition there are printing and framing costs to consider, as well as the entry fee. With digital competitions, you can discount printing and framing costs, but there are often entry fees. Many competitions do not offer cash prizes, only prestige and ribbons or digital banners. Some offer digital assets, classes and other tangible benefits. Some are just for fun.
Not too many competitions are free. There are some good competitions with free entry, but others can sometimes be a bit dubious. So read the rules and such.
Check out past winners
Sometimes it pays to check past winners, and see if there is something you can learn from their composition, lighting, framing and more. Never copy, but certainly gain some inspiration from viewing the work of past winners in a particular category. Will the judges be the same? Often art is subjective and certain judges may like a certain style over others. In La-La land, this should never be the case, but in reality, it often is.
Read the rules
Read the rules. Can you use digital art in photo competitions? Can you use textures? Is it only photos captured in the last 12 months? Is it photos only taken with a particular brand of camera? Can amateur photographers join, or is it professionals only? Often, there are various disclaimers and rules you must abide by. Size, resolutions and such. Animals, can they be considered a portrait or not (mostly not)? So read through the rules and learn what you can and can’t do.
Check your Copyright rights
Check your Copyright status, if you relinquish your rights, I suggest backing away. Make sure in writing you retain all of your copyright status of all images. Also find out, what will be done with your artwork after the competition is finished. In the case of physical prints, can they be sold?
What about online competitions like Viewbug?
A popular online Photography competition site is Viewbug (see our offer below). “Joining a photo contest is a great way to improve your photography. First, it provides an opportunity to explore new subjects that may be outside of one’s comfort zone. Second, contests provide a chance to get feedback from other photographers,” says Ori Guttin, Viewbug Co-founder. “Imagine a place where you can join hundreds of photo contests to challenge and reward your creativity,” goes Viewbug. You can sign up and enter competitions for free or you can get a paid membership with more options and benefits. You can even win some terrific big name brand prizes like cameras and lenses.
“VIEWBUG is a great peer to peer site that allows you to see what other think of your work and why they think that Constructive criticism is great but positive feedback is just as useful”
~ Lana Bowen
“Viewbug is interesting to see how many (people) like your images and to see other’s for inspiration”
~ Sue Adorjan
“Just be aware that free accounts are very restrictive in what competitions you can enter”
~ Marios KR
It can be validating
One of the main reasons or benefits of entering competitions is it can be validating, especially if you win. The opposite can also be true, not winning can be crushing. So, it pays to check your ego at the door. If you win, fantastic, let the whole world know! No win — shake it off and move on. Sadly in any competition, there can only be one winner.
Why not check out a competition or two? Talk to a few fellow photographers and see which ones they enter.
The Viewbug Awesome Landscapes contest
Photofocus is happy to partner with Viewbug for the Awesome Landscapes Photo Contest.
We are excited to run this contest in collaboration with our Photofocus friends, who we’ve known for 14 years already!
Joining a photo contest is a great way to improve your photography. First, it provides an opportunity to explore new subjects that may be outside of one’s comfort zone. Second, contests provide a chance to get feedback from other photographers.
Finally, contests can be a great source of inspiration. So if you’re looking to improve your creativity, joining a photo contest is a great way to do it, and we invite you to participate today!
~ Ori Guttin, Viewbug Co-founder
The contest is open for submissions as of today and closes on Feb. 20, 2023.
When I was a member of Viewbug, I found that the only period in which I received any likes or comments was when I was a paid member. It made me seriously wonder if the algorithm used to select and organize photos for voting and/or viewing was skewed to paid members. When I reverted to a free account, the likes and comments ceased. Also, during many competitions the top photos were either of the same local, depending on the theme, or similar composition. Leading lines related to docks or wharves seemed to fit almost any theme. There was a least… Read more »
Hi Marie, yes I have heard membership offer more benefits. But many competitions seem little skewed in one direction over another, art tends to be very subjective. It pays to have a thick hide and not let the negatives upset us too much.