FEELING COMPETITIVE?
WHAT ARE THE BEST PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITIONS TO ENTER AND SHOULD I BE ENTERING THEM? I’M TRYING TO GET MY NAME MORE WIDELY CIRCULATED, HOWEVER, I DON’T WANT TO BE WASTING MY TIME.
ANONYMOUS
There are many photography competitions out there and which ones you enter will depend on what type of photography you do. For example, if you are a portrait photographer, Landscape Photographer of the Year isn’t going to appeal, but the Taylor Wessing prize might. There are useful online resources out there that list all the photography competitions, including details and deadlines. One of the best we have found is WWW.PHOTOCONTESTDEADLINES.COM.
If you are going to enter the bigger competitions, such as the Sony World Photography Awards, the chances of being shortlisted or winning become more remote, of course, due to the high number of people entering (this is partly down to the competition being free to enter and having a big prize). However, that is not to say it is a waste of time. Entering photography competitions gives you a great opportunity to evaluate your work and put time aside to develop a project. There are some competitions you have to pay to enter and others that are free. Only you can decide how much time and money you want to invest in it.
There are great benefits that come with being shortlisted or winning photography competitions for your reputation and career. However, if you are not going to enjoy the process of entering them, then it’s probably not for you and you should concentrate your efforts elsewhere.