Photography Competitions

Test Your Photography Skills with These 5 Great Photography Competitions
Posted: 11 Sep 2008 07:01 AM PDT

Christina N Dickson is a portrait photographer and instructor for The Institute in Photographic Studies. Her work can be found at www.ChristinaNicholePhotography.com

You are a budding photographer in search of expanding your influence and getting your name out into the photographic world. Photo contests are a great way to gain experience with submitting, evaluating, and constructively comparing your quality of images with others who are at your level or more mature in their shooting. Unfortunately, many photo contests are hardly worth the time it takes to upload your photo, or placing the stamp on the envelope.
Here are some photography contests with varying levels of notoriety to get you off your feet, and your photo’s into the limelight!

1. The International Aperture Photo Competition

Pros: Copyright of the images remains property of photographer. Open to all photographers of any age. International exposure. Review of work by 100 notorious professional photographers.

Cons: Monthly entry is free to members only. Entry fee $290 per series of 4 images.

2. World Traveler Photo Contest

Pros: Entry fee is free. International exposure. Open to amateurs or professionals. Publishing of work in American Photo. Grand prize winner awarded air and hotel package.

Cons: Submission conveys all rights of the photo to Northwest Airlines. Only photographers from the US.

3. American PHOTO Images of the Year

Pros: Open to professional and amateur photographers. Entry discounts to students work. International Exposure. Large prizes packages.

Cons: 18 years and older. Open to US residents only. Entry fees per single or series entries.

4. Travel Photographer of the Year

Pros: Copyright remains property of photographer.

Cons: Limited to amateur and professional photographers based on submission categories. Ages 17 and older. Entry fees 15 pounds per image.

5. National Geographic My Shot

Pros: International Exposure. No submission fees. Open to all persons.

Cons: No prizes. Only two shot submissions.

Happy submissions!
PS: Don’t forget our recent post - How to Win a Photography Competition