Joining photo contests can be easy. Find a good photo contest where you are qualified to join, read the rules and get your camera ready and do the photo shoot.  Sounds simple but not everyone can win.  Only the best is chosen and win in a photography competition.  But this is not limited to professional photographers only.  Even beginners CAN win.

Some photographers, especially amateurs, may not really intend to win.  But if you join a photography competition, why not try to have a really stunning photo that can win the contest?  If you join a free contest, you have nothing to lose but you have a lot to gain.  Aside from winning, this is an opportunity to expose your photography skills, learn new ideas and techniques, and most of all, gain experience.

As a beginner, there are simple things that you should not forget nor ignore:

1. It is important to take note of the rules and criteria of the photo contest you’re joining.  You don’t want to mess up this opportunity to win by getting disqualified in the contest.

2. Think outside the box.  To make your photo stand out, have a unique shot.  Put some emotion, originality, or impact in your photo.  Do not take a photo that is too cliche.  Make sure that you capture an emotion in your picture or perhaps the personality of your subject.

3. Know the rules and principles in photography.  Some photographers would break these rules but being completely ignorant makes a huge difference.  It will be too apparent and these kinds of photos never win in any photo contest.  For aspiring photographers, knowing and understanding the fundamentals of framing and composition will be very helpful for them.

4. In joining a photography competition, put in more than one entry since judging always involve subjectivity .  Even professional photographers submit more than one entry.

5. Do not submit your entry at the last minute.  Judges can give more time looking at the entries that were submitted early.  Most photographers submit at the last minute so the judges won’t have the luxury of time to look into those submissions.  Even if you are joining in a free contest, make it a habit to submit your entry early.

As a beginner, start out by doing your best even in a free contest. Their judges can be professional photographers as well so expect to receive negative feedbacks about your work and make it a tool for improvement.  Do not be intimidated by the work of the professionals.  Enjoy your craft and keep improving.  Photography is an art and each one of us has different perspective.