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Yes, photo contests are for just about anyone-especially if you are:

Working as a professional photographer.

An amateur photography enthusiast.

Someone with a creative eye and a camera.

Just bored with your routine.

Unlike poetry or cooking contests (where there’s a definite level of skill involved) almost anyone can start taking pictures with a camera. With digital cameras getting better and better, there’s really not much you have to learn. Photography has truly become a ‘point-and-click’ affair.

What’s in it for you?

That’s a perfectly legitimate question, Photograph Contests are a great way to:

a) Win money or prizes.

b) Show off your abilities. Your winning photo could be published in very high profile photography books or magazines.

c) Be judged by experts, critics, and peers in your field.

d) Receive wonderful benefits such as the opportunity to talk with editors, well-known photographers, equipment manufacturers and more.

e) Get your ‘15-minutes of fame’ or at least receive instant exposure.

The prizes range from small cash prizes to fully equipped photo studios from a few rolls of film to exotic photo safaris.

Here is a short list of some prizes from current and past contests:

* A Land Rover Biosphere Expedition to the Tatra Mountains of Slovakia to survey chamois, wolves and bears

* Discover Tanzania, Kenya and Zanzibar on a 22-day overland adventure.

* A Grand Prize valued at over $8,500 that includes a Nikon camera and lenses, flash system, notebook computer, printer, software and tons of other extras.

* A $9,300 Grand Prize–Including a Nikon Digital camera kit and a trip to the Northwest Territories.

Besides winning prizes, entering photograph contests afford you an opportunity to build your own real-life portfolio and depending on the contest, becoming a winner. Even if you just finish near the top you could launch your photo career.

So why are you hesitating?

How To Get Started

Get started by selecting a contest. Then visit this extensive ‘list of photo contests’ (link to your website’s photo contests page) at www.proofpositive.com. Here you will find dozens of on-going photo contests. The list is continually updated, so visit often.

Once you’ve decided upon a contest, note the entry deadline on your calendar. You can enter an existing photo or schedule a time to take the “winning photo.” Be sure to read all the contest rules, complete the necessary forms, send in or upload your photo and wait for the announcement that YOU are the winner.

Insider Tips for Entering Contests

Every contest is different. There are different eligibility standards as well as different rules and entry regulations. One of the first things you have to do is determine whether or not you are qualified for the contest. Here are a few other tips:

- Follow all the rules and read all the instructions! This is vital! Ensure that you know the theme of the contest (scenic landscape, people or animals, travel photos, etc. . .). It’s surprising the number of people who submit a favorite picture of a beloved pet to a nature- or scenic-themed contest. Most contests limit the number of entrants and how many submissions each one can enter.

- Familiarize yourself with the published list of winners of past contests. It’s a good idea to check the criteria, theme and style judges have used in the past to select winners. Photo contests aren’t exactly professional sports; the judging is subjective (Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right?), and while they do their best to remain objective and open-minded, it’s vital that you have an idea of what the team of judges considers

- Carefully read the terms and conditions of participating for each contest you decide to enter. Some contests require you to give up the copyright to your work or photo just by entering the contest. Why would you showcase your work if you don’t retain legal right to it? Make certain you read all the fine print before you submit your entry!

That’s all there is to it! Register, showcase your work, and collect prizes!

Tags: Hobbies