Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can black & white photos be entered in every category?   YES.
2. Can the same photo be entered in two different categories?  YES. You will need a separate photo mounted on a board (no frame) for each photograph with a separate entry form and fee.  If it fits in several areas enter away
3. Can Beginners enter other categories? YES.  
4. Can Youth Photographers enter other categories, YES
5.  If I have any question, click on the “Contact Us” button below

What category do you think this photo should be in? 

Ask yourself ..
What am I wanting the viewer to see in my photograph?
(The focus of your photograph will normally reveal the category to you.) Sometimes the reason why you are having trouble is because your photograph could present itself in more than one category: then you can enter in both categories!
Again, I can’t say it enough. What is the focus?
We do have the “Undefined” Category. That should fill the gap
If all else fails email your competition contact person. She will be glad to help with any questions or concerns! 

Boarding/Mounting Your Photographs

Your photos must be able to stand on their own, so to speak. There are many different types of boards, but we encourage those new to our competition to use core/foam or art board.  These products are very affordable (A quality board is anywhere from $1.49 to $2.99 for a large piece that can be cut into many smaller sizes) These boards are easy to handle if you are going to cut your own board. 
After your boards are cut to size, use an adhesive to paste them to the board.  All spray adhesives are excluded. Liquid glue does not work well, and more times than not leaves your photos with a waved/warped effect. The all-time best, no mess is to use either double sided tape or dot tape used for scrap booking.  
If you would rather not cut the boards yourself, Michaels or Amazon sells pre-cut boards that come something like 5 to a package. Diversified Labs and MPIX will mount the photos on boards for you that is acceptable for the competition, (no frames)

Tips for Entering Amateur Photography Contests

The number one tip for successfully entering an amateur photo contest is to follow all the rules. Each contest has a unique set of rules that must be followed to avoid disqualification. Contest guidelines are not arbitrary. Judges take note of which entrants adhere to them. If you follow each rule to the letter you stand a greater chance of walking away a winner.
Abide by any instructions regarding file format, such as JPEG or TIFF, size and resolution. You do not want to be disqualified for something as trivial as format or dimension. Submit your mounted photograph(s) once you know you have followed all the instructions

Other important tips to consider prior to entering a photo contest include:

• Consider All Categories: Many photography contests have a variety of different categories. Evaluate your strengths and anticipate which categories will have the most entries and which will have the fewest. If you have the material to submit into a category with fewer entries, you will increase your odds of winning.
• Less Is More: Keep it simple. In most cases, less is more when it comes to award-winning shots. This is applicable to both the number of photos you enter and the content captured in each shot. Don’t feel compelled to enter photographs in all allowed in each categories, unless you feel as though you have equally good snapshots for the judges to review.
• Be Creative: Prior to casting their vote, most judges ask themselves whether a contest photo shows that the photographer used creative techniques to make the picture more interesting. A photographer who is aware of unique colors, angles, shapes, patterns, and lines often scores well with judges.
• Relax: Entering your first photography contest can be intimidating, but you shouldn’t let your nerves get the best of you. Once you have submitted your work you are then at the mercy of the judges. Don’t let one lost contest deter you from competing in others. Rather, examine the contest’s winning images and apply what you learn to your next photo session.

Fee’s: Note whether contest entries require a fee. If there is a fee involved, make sure you are comfortable sending your payment, especially on the Internet. Photo contest websites that appear unsecured are probably just that. Know what you are getting into so you are not surprised by the results.

So, for the next contest that you enter analyze how your picture stands up to artful, striking, or even ingenious photography. Don’t forget to follow the rules and try stretching your imagination, and let your camera reflect this. It can produce wonderful, award-winning results.

How to Choose the Best Photo

Choose a picture that is simple in nature. Concentrate on choosing an image that is technically well done. Before submitting a contest, photograph review it for the following:

• Sharp focus: This will help show details of the subject.
• Outstanding composition: Whether it is symmetrical or asymmetrical, the composition needs to be well thought-out. Consider the “rule of thirds”.
• Vibrant colors: In some cases vibrant colors will help to draw the judges’ attention.
• Excellent contrast: Good contrast is important, especially in black and white images.
• Beautiful lighting: Good lighting doesn’t always mean the use of a bright flash, but does mean that the piece has appropriate lighting on the subject.
• Pleasing background: A cluttered or unattractive background can be a distraction.
• Interesting subject: An interesting subject will help to increase the overall appearance of the photograph.

Judging Guidelines: Just a glimpse into a judge’s mind……….

1.) Impact is the sense one gets upon viewing an image for the first time. Compelling images evoke laughter, sadness, anger, pride, wonder or another intense emotion. There can be impact incorporating any of the following elements.
2.) Technical excellence is the print quality of the image itself as it is presented for viewing. Sharpness, exposure, printing and correct color are some items that speak to the qualities of the physical print.
3.) Creativity is the original, fresh, and external expression of the imagination of the photographer by using the medium to convey an idea, message or thought.
4.) Style is defined in a number of ways as it applies to a creative image. It might be defined by a specific genre or simply be recognizable as the characteristics of how a specific artist applies light to a subject. It can impact an image in a positive manner when the subject matter and the style are appropriate for each other, or it can have a negative effect when they are at odds.
5.) Composition is important to the design of an image, bringing all of the visual elements together in concert to express the purpose of the image. Proper composition holds the viewer in the image and prompts the viewer to look where the creator intends. Effective composition can be pleasing or disturbing, depending on the intent of the image maker.
6.) Color Balance supplies harmony to an image. An image in which the tones work together, effectively supporting the image, can enhance its emotional appeal. Color balance is not always harmonious and can be used to evoke diverse feelings for effect.
7.) Center of Interest is the point or points on the image where the photographer wants the viewer to stop as they view the image. There can be primary and secondary centers of interest. Occasionally there will be no specific center of interest, when the entire scene collectively serves as the center of interest.
8.) Lighting —the use and control of light—refers to how dimension, shape and roundness are defined in an image. Whether the light applied to an image is man-made or natural, proper use of it should enhance an image.
9.) Subject Matter should always be appropriate to the story being told in an image.
10.) Technique is the approach used to create the image. Printing, lighting, posing, capture, presentation media, and more are part of the technique applied to an image.
11.) Story Telling refers to the image’s ability to evoke imagination. One beautiful thing about art is that each viewer might collect his own message or read her own story in an image.

Remenber A judge’s Oooo or an Ahhh to a photograph is likely to be a winner.