By: Jason Kay
Submitted: 2009-12-21 21:32:37 | Word Count: 527
Whether you are a professional photographer or just a weekend shutterbug, a great way to enjoy picture taking is to enter a photography contest. You don t have to be a professional photographer to enter these contests and in fact there are many times where an armature s photograph will beat out photographs of many seasoned veterans.
Winning a photography contest is more about how you take the pictures themselves rather than what you take pictures of. Here are some tips that will help guide you to a photography win or two:
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�Be unique: Judges of photography contests are always looking for unique shots. Of course you will want to follow the guidelines of the contest, but if the contest is one that allows shots of anything to be entered, then use your imagination. If it is specific, such as a contest of baby photographs, again think outside the box with the pictures you take.
�Click away: No matter what it is you decide to take a picture of to enter into the contest be sure that you take many shots of the subject. This will allow you to later go through all of the shots and really give some thought as to which one you will enter into the photography contest.
�Do your homework: If the contest is one that is held on an annual basis then take a look at what some of the past winners took pictures of. Where they action shots? Maybe they were abstract. Whatever the case may be you can get a leg up on the competition by doing a little homework ahead of time.
�Consider categories: Most Photography contests will have a number of different categories. While you should certainly enter into the categories that you are most interested in you can also look at the categories and try to establish which ones will have the least amount of entries. While they may not be the most exciting categories, you will increase your odds of winning if there are very few entered into a certain category.
�Follow the rules: Okay this sounds like a no brainer but you would be surprised at the number of photography contestants that simply do not follow the contest rules. This typically leads to immediate elimination no matter how good the picture may be. You can be an instant step ahead of many if you read the rules and follow them to the letter.
�Have fun: If you find that you are stressing out while taking pictures to enter into the contest, then you need to stop and reevaluate. Contests are supposed to be fun and if you are not having fun and enjoying yourself then chances are you are putting too much thought into your shots and you are not going to take very good pictures. Stick with what you know and have fun with it.
While you certainly won t win every photography contest you enter, if you keep at it you are sure to win your fair share. More importantly you may be able make some friends along the way and you will certainly enhance the joy of your picture taking hobby.
