How to Take Award-Winning Photographs
Every year many companies and publications sponsor photography contests. Prizes range from products, such as cameras and other photography equipment, to cash awards. To find a list of photo contests, visit Fanartreview.com or check photography and travel magazines. To help your entry in any contest become one of the finalists, there some basics to keep in mind that will help your entries stand out from the rest.
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Instructions
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Pick the Contest
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Chose a contest to enter. Most contests are usually centered around a specific theme, such as animals, people or travel. This decision is usually determined by what available photographs you have of suitable quality to enter.
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Read the rules carefully. When entering a contest, every rule must be followed exactly. Entries that do not conform to the rules of the contest are usually disqualified immediately.
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Determine if your entry displays originality and technical excellence. A photo that is not in focus where appropriate and does not display proper exposure will not survive the competition.
Award-Winning Details
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Fill the frame with your subject. Both novice and experienced photographers will notice an improvement in their photography by filing up the frame with their subject and keeping the background behind the subject free of distracting clutter. This allows the viewer to focus attention on the subject.
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Avoid the bull's-eye effect. There are a few tricks award-winning photographers use to catch the attention of the judges and win prizes. The first is placement of the main subject within the photograph anywhere but in the exact center of the picture.
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Add contrast. Photos that use high contrast tend to be looked upon favorably by photo contest judges. The contrast can be between dark and light elements in a photograph. High contrast can also be expressed by the relationship between the elements of the picture, such as a very tall person dancing with a very short partner.
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Focus on detail. Photographs that show a detailed pattern, such as a window screen with one break in the pattern -- perhaps a housefly walking on the screen -- easily attracts and holds the attention of contest judges.
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Choose the best light. The most delicately hued photographs, especially scenics, should be shot early in the morning and late in the afternoon. This period of time is called the "golden hours."
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Tips & Warnings
Photographs are made by the photographer, not the camera. An inexpensive camera that is capable of producing photographs that are sharp (in focus) and reproducing colors accurately can produce an award-winning image.
While inexpensive cameras have been used to take great pictures, a camera that uses a wide variety of lenses not only makes capturing great pictures easier, but adds to enjoyment of the entire photographic process.
Resources
- Photo Credit Sunsets and roller coasters image by Joseph Salonis from Fotolia.com
