Photo Competitions - the traditional ones.

[owen]

Hi everyone. Well I've just entered 4 images into a local photo competition but unlike the web comps I usually enter, this required printing, mounting and and entry fee... all up it has cost about $100 to enter 4 x A4 size photos... the question is, is it worth it? Even if I don't win I end up with a couple of photos I can hang around the house, plus the opportunity to sell some images through the exhibition following the comp. Then there is the possibility of winning the cash prizes, $800 for first, $300 for second and $100 for third.

I think it is fairly worthwhile doing, but it does seem like a fairly big outlay initially.

[ozczecho]

Owen,

Do it mate. I went through the process in late January, after my mother in law found a comp for the local council. I had to select, print and frame in one week. There was an entry fee plus the other costs, but there is nothing like seeing your work hung up for everyone to see. I will never forget that experience.

I even managed to pickup the category winner and $150 westfield voucher.. .

[owen]

Congratulations mate There is going to be a lot of entries, the framers around town were pretty much flat-chat and some were sold out of the matt board and stuff. The judging is tomorrow so we'll see what happens

[Killakoala]

Good luck Owen. What was the subject of the comp???

[owen]

The subject was "Open". So I found some really cool shots of doors and stuff, slighty ajar.



I put in 4 various images including the cat from the latest comp, a couple of landscapes and another recent image.

It was a national comp apparently, so we'll see what happens.

[Matt. K]

Owen
Your images will be seen. That's everything. Good Luck. It also demonstrates your confidence in your photography. Everytime you enter a competition you learn something valuable.

[mudder]

G'day mate,

It's good fun even if nothing comes of it, interested to hear your thoughts and how it all went (judging was today?)...

[owen]

Yep, judging was today but I haven't heard anything. The form said results to be posted on website or in the paper... I'll keep my eyes peeled.

[Jonas]

I reckon the cost alone is pretty cheap, when you consider a few years ago one could easily go through $100 in film and developing costs in a weekend.

And anything that encourages printing and framing of pics is a good thing I reckon. Which photos did you decide on?

Hope you get a placing!

[owen]

Well, the results are in and I didn't even get an honourable mention

I'll update this page with links to the photos that I put in a bit later, but anyone passing through this way should pop in and take a look, they are displaying 70 of the top photos that were entered starting from the 26th of May and going for a month.

I'm happy though because we're about to start building a house and it will be good to have some proper mounted photos to hang up around the place once that is done.

[Sheila Smart]

Its always worthwhile to enter comps, even if you have to pay for the privilege! Its all good exposure. I paid a fee last year to enter the Black and White Spider Awards and I will do so again this year. For my images to be judged by Magnum et al (and to appear in their book) certainly makes up for the fee.

Cheers
Sheila

[owen]

These are the photos that I entered into the competition. For some reason they came out a fair bit darker when getting them printed, even though I have recently calibrated my monitor and was using the correct printer profile.

Imagine these pictures with an ivory board frame around them.

[Yi-P]

They are fantastic!!

Good luck for your competition!

[Sheila Smart]

Very nice images. When entering comps, its always a good idea to check out who the judges are. If they are "Joe Public", then submit images which the general public will like - sunsets (which you did) are very popular. But if the judges are professional judges of photographic work, then its best IMO, to submit somewhat quirky images, out of the ordinary stuff which will catch their eye. Don't forget, they are looking at an extraordinary amount of photographs so something that is out of the ordinary will make them sit up.

Cheers
Sheila

[owen]

Thanks Sheila. Some good info there. I did actually look at the judges names, and although I didn't know any of them they were proper photographers/judges so I did think that they'd be after more than just really colourful sunsets or things like that.



Cheers,
Owen.

[owen]

Well I went up to the exhibition and not one of my images was up on the wall. There were some very ordinary ones up, and I don't think mine were worse that those. What bugs me is that there were about 6 A4 sized images, and 50 or so A3 sized. There were even some that didn't conform to the sizes specified in the brochure. I'm a bit peeved about the whole thing... if I had known that A3's would have had a better chance to be displayed I would have got 1 or 2 of those printed and framed instead of spending so much money getting a4's done.

[Glen]

Owen, the next comp here will be announced today

[birddog114]

Bribe the organizer or take them out for few drinks and you will have full wall of your photos.

[birddog114]

Owen, the next comp here will be announced today

Perhaps, it's still in the process or the cheque is in the mail

[Glen]

[owen]

Bribe the organizer or take them out for few drinks and you will have full wall of your photos.

hehe I'll remember to send a 'gift' with my photos next time

Bring on the next comp