What to pay attention to when entering a photo competition?

So you want to be the next Photographer of the Year? Or win one of those fantastic cameras, or even some big money (yes, some grand prizes reach even $10,000)?

There are many reasons why people enter photo competitions: from need of recognition from themselves and others, search for exposure in media, magazines, exhibitions, or winning one of other prizes in cash or equipment!

Whatever reason is yours, you need to pay attention to a couple of things:

The 4 most important things to check first

1. Photo usage rights

This is probably the far most important thing which you should consider before entering your, let me guess, best photo in a photo competition.

What is going to happen to this photo? Will you still be able to use it? How will the organizers (and their partners) be able to use it? Can they sell it for their own profits?

Because this is such an important topic, I have dedicated it a whole separate article, where I also explain how and why I rate listed competitions based on the photo usage rights.

2. Prizes

Of course, this is the reason why you enter the competition in the first place! (99% of the cases anyway)

Make sure the prizes are clearly defined: it should state not only ‘a digital camera’ but exactly which model. This is especially important when the competition has an entry fee as well. It is only fair that you know what you could win before paying!

From my experience contacting the organizers for clarifications of the rules or prizes, it has happened that the clear answer had tried to be avoided or my question was completely ignored (even though they charge an entry fee!). That makes you wonder why they are organizing the competition in the first place..

Sometimes when sponsors are the ones giving away and deciding what are the prizes, it can happen that by the time the entries have opened, the decision what exactly to give has not been made yet. That can be understandable, however, if the competition charges an entry fee, it should not be a valid excuse! (Why are they charging an entry fee if the prizes are given for free by the sponsors in the first place???)

3. Entry fee

Majority of the competitions are free but some do charge an entry fee for your participation. Whether you will pay it or not will depend whether the ratio between the entry fee and given prizes + chances to win + photo usage rights is worthwhile to you.

I only rate competitions according to “photo usage rights” and not whether they charge an entry fee or not, because some competitions that are good, do charge a fee.

In the end of the day, it should be your call only whether it is worth to pay for entry or not.

4. Who is organizing & Who are the judges

Organizers are important. So are the judges. Why do so many photographers just ignore this information?

Yes, I’ve been requested to make the judges info ‘collapsible’ on the competition article page. And no, I will not do it. I want you to READ it. It’s there because it is important, otherwise I would not include it!

First thing that is important to notice is whether there is any public voting involved. Real photographic competition should not be about who knows more people, but about skill.

Who are the judges? What do they do and what is their experience? This will tell you what are their skills, their taste, their viewpoint – what photos will catch their attention.

Who is organizing it? And more importantly: why? Yes, yes, to promote and give recognition to photographers with one of those highly glorifying names, like BlaBla Photographer of the Year. Is there truly quality behind that title or is just a disguise to take away your photo rights? Remember, anyone can make up a title, with ‘blabla’ replaced by whatever name they choose! But does it really mean anything?

Why do I think those are the 4 most important things?

While reading through so many competitions I often get the impression, they are organized solely to:

get a lot of good quality (and free) images — This concerns the photo usage rights. Remember, the prizes are given ONLY to the winners, while the photo usage rights can be transferred to organizers (and their partners) ‘by entering’. Be careful!
earn money (if entry fee is charged) — The ratio between the prize and the entry fee (this time photo usage rights are not even concerned here) can be extremely funny. I have seen cases when they charge $20 for an entry fee per image, and the grand prize is $200! How many people do they need to enter to cover the costs? Sadly, I see it often!
both above

Organizing a photo competition has become a real big business indeed. :(

Other things to consider

OK, now that you have figured out the competition is worth entering, you need to also be sure that you can enter at all and/or not have your entry disqualified by your own desultoriness!

Pay attention to:

WHO can enter

Most competitions are open for international entries, but some are only open to residents of specific country / region / city.

Also, most competitions are open to everyone, however, some only to professionals / amateurs / students / members.

I hope it doesn’t need to be stressed too much that you have to be the author of the photo, right? No stealing of other people’s work!!!

WHERE the photo can be taken and how OLD can it be

Yes, there can be even restrictions about the geographical location it was taken in. It can range from a continent, to a country, county, park, city..

There can also be restrictions how long ago was the photo taken, for example, only during the current year, or after a specific date.

WHICH PHOTOS to enter?

Three things that are important to consider:

Theme / categories

Themes and categories usually have descriptions that can help you determine what the judges are looking for. Don’t ever ignore this, or your photo will be quickly ignored.

Try to keep to the theme as much as possible, while at the same time, use your artistic interpretation. Remember, the judges must be able to notice the connection between your photo and the theme.

If you are not sure whether your photo is good enough, or what is your competition, there is a link at the bottom of the article to the gallery of (if available of course).

Judging criteria

Judging criteria (if specified) can also give you some guidance. It can include, for example:

originality (Is it new? Different? Or seen before?)
artistic merit (Is it considered art?)
level of creativity, impact, style; general appeal of the image
interpretation / visualisation / relevance to the subject/theme
clarity of presentation
interesting subject, interesting details, storytelling
photographic technique and its execution: strong composition, colour harmony, perspective, lighting, exposure, focus…

What is on the photo (legal issues)

On photo are clearly identifiable people. — You need to have a signed model release from each of those individuals with their consent to how the photos will be used. If the person is a minor, their legal guardian needs to sign it. Your photos should not violate any person’s rights of privacy or publicity.
Photo was taken on a private (recognizable) property. — You might need a property release form signed by the owner/representative.
Photo includes copyrights, names, logos, trademarks, or any other intellectual property rights of any third person or entity. — Often such photos are not eligible or it is required you have necessary permissions.
There should be no infringing, threatening, false, misleading, abusive, harassing, libelous, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, scandalous, inflammatory, pornographic or profane content.

External links with more information what you can take photo of:

HOW MANY photos can you enter?

Some competitions have no limit, some specify the maximum number, some allow only one photo. Never submit more photos than you are allowed – all photos will end up being disqualified!

Additionally, think well before finally submitting your chosen photo: not all competitions allow you to change/update it after submitting!

Image format

Most often than not, it is going to be specified:

minimum/maximum image dimensions
maximum file size
minimal/maximal image resolution
image format
colour space

Make sure your images falls within specified restrictions, otherwise your entry will be disqualified!

It is often required to first submit a lower resolution image and then, if selected as a finalist, submit a higher resolution file (what resolution is of course specified). Make sure you have it available, since if you don’t submit it, even though you were selected as a finalist, you will be disqualified!

Can photos be EDITED?

Some contest have very strict rules what can be changed/edited on a photo and will even ask for the original file for comparison!

Appearance / usage of photo somewhere else

Photos that:

have already been published;
have won another photo competition;
are competing in another photo competition

might not be eligible for entry. This has to do with your owning all rights to your photographs entered. Check the restrictions!

Conclusion

Photo competitions are great fun, you can get some great exposure and win some really fantastic prizes!

What I try to stress in this article is that there are many really good photo competitions out there, and there is no need for you to compromise on your photo usage rights. Enter photo competitions and make sure your photo is aligned with their restrictions & requirements so that your entry will not be disqualified unnecessarily.

I have tried to design the competition articles in a way that they are ’scannable’ as much as possible to save you time and quickly find the ones you like, with emphasizing important restrictions with red bold letters.

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