I don't think social media is where you go for meaningful critique of your photography. Too many trolls and egos to sift through. Actually, I can't think of anything useful about social media, but I digress. I would much prefer to put my art before well respected fellow artists (photographers) for critique so that I may truly learn something and improve. Having people just click the thumbs-up or thumbs-down button on social media is totally unfulfilling and tells me nothing.
Simon this video expresses so much the journey my photography has been on over the past few years. Belonging to a small camera club, entering local competitions with mixed results, but I became so critical of my own work that I found it destructive and negative influence. Constantly thinking what a judge would say resulted in often taking my camera out and not taking any photos or not even taking the camera out. I have now decided not to enter any competitions and just take photos that give me the sense of pleasure that I had when I began this hobby, enjoy the moment and try to capture it to my best ability to relive that moment. If some else thinks it's a nice image that's always a nice thing if they don't that's just their perspective and they weren't there at the moment the photo was taken. Keep up the great work many thanks
Simon, love the way you speak honestly and from your heart. Your work is very distinct and always fresh which I love to always see and learn from. Thank you for always coming out with such rich content.
Of all the images I've seen on your channel, "Textured Fragments" has been my favorite. Knowing that a small computer screen can never truly reveal the depth, I have paused the computer and maximized my screen so I could study it. I find it most compelling. It makes me want to continue looking through the snow for what lies beyond, up the hill. As for competitions, in my last one, my entry won the competition. You would think that would make me like the competition aspect but it did just the opposite. As I walked through the exhibit, I saw several other images that I thought were much better than mine and I realized that competing made me compare my work to others and that made me like my own images less and left me feeling less joy in my photography. Someone once said that "comparison is the thief of joy" and for me, that is true. After a month or so off, my joy in photography returned but I now make it a point to not enter competitions or compare my work to others. If that limits me, so be it. I shoot for myself and as long as I enjoy that, I don't feel the need to compare what I do or have others do so. While I certainly encourage, admire, and respect those who enjoy competitions, I decided that it is just not for me and I'm happier for it.
Many thanks, Philip. I'm pleased you like that image. It certainly prints well :) I completely agree that comparing your work to others can be a dangerous path. I'm also much happier and more creative if I restrict my exposure to the work of others.
Great video, and excellent thoughts. I really appreciate the sense of grounded-ness when watching your videos. Even one about entering competitions made me feel calm 🙂
Great video as always - thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. I’m also so amazed and impressed at how many compositions you share in the b roll of this video - I was watching and kept thinking “wow, there’s another beautiful composition of a lovely woodland”. Keep up the great work :)
My problem with competitions is the prejudices of the judges. What I mean is that we all have our point of view on what makes a good photo.Tthe judges opinions rarely match yours. All art is subjective. That means your view will never match anyone else's view. So I personally never enter competitions. Saves a lot of grief on the contestants part. And maybe a few bucks.
Maybe if the competition was judged & voted on by the public. My advice would be to get one's work (the same work judged from different groups) critiqued first to see if you can handle & maybe get a feel for what the majority of people , or most people like or want.
Depends on what type of contest it is and why they are having a contest. Most I have entered have to do with them using the photos to promote uniqueness to a certain area or to entice vacationers and travelers, or get new people to reside in an area. I always notice in contest like those, it's all about PROMOTION and doing that has certain requirements to get a winner. Once you understand that then you can submit based on that....and hint it's not YOUR #1 photo pick, I can guarantee that.
A really fascinating video on competitions and what they actually mean to the individual entering......and love that last composition walking off at the end of the video......
I stopped entering camera club competitions a year ago and do not plan to restart. Judges at this level are often opinionated, over-focussed on technical issues (primarily 'sharpness'/'detail') or have their own personal favourites. There are also too many competitions to produce decent images for, so the overall standard is low. Even critiques, which could be the most valuable aspect of being in a club get hijacked and become competitions, thus losing their worth. I do enter enter the odd external comp when the fancy takes me, but so far without great reward. But that's ok. the very fact of having a focus is beneficial. This new comp sounds interesting and I see that Adam Gibbs is a judge and that is encouraging as I have been following him for a while now.
I agree that (from what I've heard many times) that some judges are very focused on technical proficiency. As you'll have picked up on my videos, it's the area which I rarely discuss as I personally think that the technical aspects, although important, aren't the primary concern. You could argue that there's a technical aspect to composition but it shouldn't be approached in that way.
Really enjoyed this video Simon. I had the same situation recently with the British Photography Awards. After a few days of feeling quite down, I forced myself out with the camera and instantly remembered why I took the photo that failed to win in the first place. Being out in nature, listening to bird songs on a bright but misty morning, as I did yesterday will do more for your soul than winning any award will ever do.
Thanks Simon, I was just prepping pics for this competition and Nigel Dansons one also, when I saw your video. I really appreciate your focus on that it is art and very subjective to style and mood of the viewer. As you start to show your work to various artists, it is clearly seen. I really hope this particular contest is truly successful because there is so much art out there that is promoted as truth and field work and is so far from that.. It is almost depressing if you are someone who wants to focus on that realness because first it is hard to set those boundaries for yourself and second there are so many beautiful scenes out there that are basically more graphic art that photography. Its hard to compete with graphic art (fantasy) and real life, especially so when people promote the scenes created as the real scene.
The only thing left to photography competitions is vanity and bragging rights. There is not much exposure, evwn in the most popular ones. It's like may fly, you get the glory for a day, the next day it's gone. So I wouldn't say there's much commercial sense. Even if the main prize is big, the chance of winning it is too small for the effort and costs. And the biggest downside is a distraction. A distraction from your own path, passion and projects. I do enjoy watching the winner galleries of SOME competitions. Travel, wildlife, macro, these are the topics that can still bring a lot of creativity, fresh images. Landscape photography competitions are more and more copying and photoshop wizardry. Just my thoughts. Everyone is free to do their thing and that's a good thing. Keep up the good work Simon!
Thank you for your thoughts. I think the commercial value is there, but probably only if you win or do exceptionally well, or have consistent success rather than a one-off. I think it's a good thing that this competition focuses on honesty and field craft, rather than photoshop wizardry. I wish I could enter this one, but at the same time I've not entered a comp for over 2 years.
@@SimonBaxterPhotography I am sure that this new competition will show more creativity and originality than most other landscape competitions. So I totally support the idea. Regarding commercial value, I recently won one of the categories of the igpoty. Zero effect. And it is one of the better competitions. My friends who won Sony awards and itpoy say the same... I believe this is mostly due to oversaturation of photography media in general. You might be right about consistency here, but the odds in this case are against you. You say yourself, there is no best photo, no best photographer, it's all subjective. How can one build a business model on this?
Thanks Simon. I have just begun to enter competitions. I have entered a wildlife challenge and I will probably enter this landscape photography competition. I understand the art competition world in that I entered many art competitions in High School. I simply do my best work, submit it, and forget it. That seems to be the way that I can keep my sanity doing it. Thanks again!
. I found myself going out to try to capture images that I thought might win a competition instead of enjoying the photography and hoping that some of the images might be good enough to be entered in a competition. I found that I was trying too hard and hating the images I was making. A very thought-provoking video. 👍
I absolutely support this competition! I’ve only been seriously shooting for a year and a half but I’m entering because of the learning I will gain through the process of image selection, careful editing and submitting my best work. I do not expect any acknowledgement for my images but it’s still exciting! And, I should mention that the judges are amazing photographers that I respect.
Most photography "competitions" just seem to be businesses to make money from photographers and get publicity mostly for themselves. Yes, there are prizes (for a couple of people), but for the vast majority of competitors this is just a waste of money. And then you have the rare free competitions such as the famous (and much publicized) Sony World Photography Awards, which to me are the only ones worth entering. I think what most photographers (and aspiring ones) need is to make money, not waste it.
Words of wisdom. The Arizona Highways is the only contest I entered; one of my images will be featured as an honorable mention in the September 2021 issue. The irony was I almost didn't enter and didn't know that I had been selected until much later. I love the magazine and respect the photographers featured there. However, my photography is how I deal with stress and find enjoyment. As much as I am honored, I must be true to my passion.
I believe David Bailey said and I apologise if he didnt but it was a long time ago, he said he couldnt understand why amateurs take photos, all they do is put them in a drawer. I am a member of a RPS affiliated camera club and pre covid we had many club, inter club competitions, also submissions to area and national exhibitions. The camaraderie and knowledge built up by entering was enjoyable but it must be tempered with knowledge that all judges have their own personal tastes, so dont be disheartened when you dont have success with an image your passionate about, the next judge may love it. I personally have had an image that one week won a competition and the next week bomb, if you dont have success, keep at it, you and your photography will grow.
Thanks for your input, Steve. I think club competitions are different entirely as there's the opportunity for discussion and for people to learn or at least take on board an alternative view. National/International comps is basically a case of you're in or you're out.
I heard you on the BG Photography podcast talking about this and i agree wholeheartedly! I enter the usual big few comps each year... for me as hobby photographer photography is my escape from a busy work and family life... its all i ever want it to be and it gets me quiet time... well except when i shoot motorsports! But the reason why i enter competitions is simply just to do something with my pictures ive taken and yes when i get a mention in the results thats nice... but something like LPOTY... i struggle each year to pick my 8 or 20 to enter so how they go about processing the 1000s of images to a few... god knows and well done for even trying to! Ill always enter... ill always shoot primarily for myself... and if i get a few mentions... great!!! I even am slightly disapointed if i dont get that email saying ive been shortlisted... thats only natural... but it doesnt last long... it means nothing about my work... and doesnt stop me giving it a go next year! I think the issue is people often strive for the success in the hope it might springboard a career... the market in the uk alone is swamped and it seems to me that all your big photographers dont actually spend much time taking pics... they are self marketers, video makers, workshops and teachers who base it round taking pictures! That would take away why i need photography in my life!
I don't think that was me? I've not heard of BG Photography. I think you've got the perfect outlook on competitions - open minded, relaxed and just enjoy taking part. And yes, it's difficult to get a balance between enjoyable time with the camera and the business side. Thankfully, I still get out for me time as I also very much need it for my health, but it does mean that I'm not so prolific with 'content'.
@@SimonBaxterPhotography lol just checked... defo was... a back episode from October right enough... episode 11... Bernard Geraghty podcast! 😀 i only typed BG as tobe honest struggled to spell Geraghty! Just had to google it!
@@SimonBaxterPhotography similar to your thoughts in the video... cant wait to get out with the camera tonight in the kinclaven wood for bluebells stuck at work at the mo updating our construction programme.
I may give it a spin Simon, I'm encouraged by the described judging criteria, for example separation of drone and mind blowing astrophotography work seems like a very good idea and one I have thought about in the past. Valley stories is a personal favourite. :-)
A very debatable subject. Who are the judges (other photographers in the field of the subject or just ordinary people). Every shot I make is a competition with myself and I am the judge of it (and the strictest one out there). Thanks for sharing your vision on this difficult subject.
Having been a member of a photography club for the last four years which was very competition-orientated, I've come to the conclusion that - for me at least - club competitions can skew your photography towards a style that tends to be more succesful in competitions (in fact one judge has said that he now mainly takes photographs to win competitions). The difference, though, between club competitions and open competitions such as the National Landscape Competition is that judges in club competitions have to make a judgement after seeing an image for sometimes a matter of seconds, so often don't have time to take in what the photographer is trying to convey. As I understand it, judges in open competitions usually have more time, even though they may be sifting through hundreds and maybe thousands of images, and can take a more considered (if at times subjective) view. I suppose, in the end, it depends what you want from photography. Some people enjoy the competitive aspect and are not too concerned about creating "art". On the other hand, as Simon points out, "art" should not be about being competitive, but trying to encapsulate in a single image (or series of images) your own take on the world around you.
I also enter club competitions but I also enter national comps as well. Club entry's are a starting point that help you grow and understand how take a photo to fit the competition criteria but always leave enough of yourself in the image, if your not passionate about what you shoot it wont come through.
@@stevehayward2533 Actually I've always been very succesful in club competitions, including winning the Best Picture award in an inter-club competition. I agree with you that they can be a good starting point, but for me personally I feel I now want to move on. There are many professional photographers whose work I admire which probably wouldn't do well in club competitions.
I remember once seeing a picture of a competition judge in the process of judging, He was looking at a print through a magnifying glass. This suggests that technical excellence is a requirement for the entries. Technical excellence suggests, in turn, that sophisticated , costly gear is necessary for success - one of the many reasons I don't get involved in competitive photography.
You can achieve technical excellence with some very inexpensive gear. A good used prime lens, cheap tripod and a moderately recent APS-C camera can create some fantastic and corner to corner sharp images. You can even use free software.
I usually do not participate in photography contests. I agree with you Simon that art cannot be "judged" in a competition. Besides, who's to judge what a good or bad image is? Not even God can do that. Photography is an art form and not an exact science. It is way to subjective and therefore it defeats all purposes of a competition. I recently did enter Nigel Danson's competition though. But its because 90% or more of the entrance fee is going to charity. So to me it is not for the competition part but rather for the good cause. Anyway, love your video and your thoughts about and around photography competitions!
hi simon. now i know what you think about competitions but i wanted to ask something else. what do you think about instagram etc? is it worth to spend time building your gallery or is just waste of time? cheers simon
Competitions very much polarise opinion amongst photographers ... a bit like marmite. I still enter a few and have deliberately decided to only enter images taken in the previous year and those that I like and mean something to me. If that happens to coincide with what the judges like that year, then fair enough, if not I'm not that bothered. Any recognition is a surprise and a bonus..... in fact I recently discovered I had won an award by accident when looking at facebook ... they very helpfully had forgotten to email and tell me ! 😗. Have to agree with everything you said ..... and will be entering a few photos to Tim and Matts latest endeavour. At least the judges are practising landscape photographers ..... unlike LPOTY where at my last count only about half were.
If I was to choose only one competition to enter this year, it would be this one. But I can't, so I won't be entering any. That's probably a good thing :)
My apporoach to deciding if I should enter a competition is to shortlist the images I might enter and then look at the winners from previous years and ask myself the simple question: had I taken those images would they have been in my shortlist. If the answer is yes then I enter if not I assume that the judges are looking for different things than I am and hence go elsewhere. (Difficult in the case of a new competition). It is futile and demoralising to get hung up on issues of "quality" and "rejection".
Interesting approach, John. Personally, I wouldn't pay any attention to the past winners. Even if it's the same judges, it's very likely that their opinion have changed over the course of 12 months. I think it's a good thing if their views are continually shifting.
I've been considering sending in a few submissions to this competition. With such a large reach of photographers i'm finding it somewhat futile and a waste of hard earned cash. if it were local perhaps.
Hi Simon, the release of this video & it's timing maybe deliberate, or maybe not as it is the last day to enter World Landscape Photographer of the Year. Like myself and many who follow you, are keen amateur photographers who are little known on social media, don't Vlog or have a website. For these reasons alone, entering any competition seems futile. Judges will surely look at websites to see what other work you have produced. I will continue to shoot for me and enjoy my photography as a hobby. I feel there is no point in entering if you do not have a website. Landscape photographer of the year has the same names in the book year in year out. I will go on, my way & improve my staircase photographic gallery.
If you are prepared to consider entering competitions please do not let this thought prevent you. It should be possible to check in each case, but any reputable competition should anonymize entries such that the judges will not know whose images they are looking at. This is certainly stated to be the case for the World Landscape Photographer of the Year.
Entry to open competitions are done anonymously, including Nigel Danson's World Landscape Phototgrapher of the Year (you get a unique registration code which is attached to your entry), and Landscape Photographer of the Year, both of which I've entered images to - as an amateur; so I wouldn't let the fact that you're an amateur put you off. If you're images are good enough they should stand up to scrutiny. Both of those competitions give you advice on the sorts of images that do well, and Nigel did an excellent video about this when he launched his competition. Having said that, competitions should not be the sole criteria by which to judge how good your photography is. There are many excellent professional photographers who never ener competitions but whose work is widely admired.
For the same reasons I will join a photography club I will not enter competitions. The snobbery and sole destroying criticism is not worth it, and this is not just my opinion but said of other photographer's I know. Photography is an art form and as such is in the eye of the beholder, I.E. what I think is a good shot often leaves my wife cold.
Yes, I think it's wise to be very picky as to who you receive criticism and advice from. Sound and reasoned critique is very valuable for growth and a particularly good photographer can offer balanced judgement and wisdom even work that isn't to their taste. It's difficult to find that though :)
Hi Simon ,it's very hard for me to understand everything you say ( even if you speak rather clearly) My opinion is that I really encourage young photographers to do competitions as long as they maintain their own peculiarity and their desire to make photos even they are not prizewinners ! It's important ( in my opinion ) not to feel being under examination but only receiving or not an appreciation ( important but not basic )
I don't think social media is where you go for meaningful critique of your photography. Too many trolls and egos to sift through. Actually, I can't think of anything useful about social media, but I digress. I would much prefer to put my art before well respected fellow artists (photographers) for critique so that I may truly learn something and improve. Having people just click the thumbs-up or thumbs-down button on social media is totally unfulfilling and tells me nothing.
Valley Stories lll is my personal favorite Simon Baxter image and is the main reason I subscribed to your channel.
If there were a competition for b- roll Simon would be a contender! Thx for your wisdom and the art of video we enjoy time after time.
Simon this video expresses so much the journey my photography has been on over the past few years. Belonging to a small camera club, entering local competitions with mixed results, but
I became so critical of my own work that I found it destructive and negative influence. Constantly thinking what a judge would say resulted in often taking my camera out and not taking any photos or not even taking the camera out. I have now decided not to enter any competitions and just take photos that give me the sense of pleasure that I had when I began this hobby, enjoy the moment and try to capture it to my best ability to relive that moment. If some else thinks it's a nice image that's always a nice thing if they don't that's just their perspective and they weren't there at the moment the photo was taken. Keep up the great work many thanks
Simon, love the way you speak honestly and from your heart. Your work is very distinct and always fresh which I love to always see and learn from. Thank you for always coming out with such rich content.
Much appreciated, Anuja! Thank you :)
Of all the images I've seen on your channel, "Textured Fragments" has been my favorite. Knowing that a small computer screen can never truly reveal the depth, I have paused the computer and maximized my screen so I could study it. I find it most compelling. It makes me want to continue looking through the snow for what lies beyond, up the hill. As for competitions, in my last one, my entry won the competition. You would think that would make me like the competition aspect but it did just the opposite. As I walked through the exhibit, I saw several other images that I thought were much better than mine and I realized that competing made me compare my work to others and that made me like my own images less and left me feeling less joy in my photography. Someone once said that "comparison is the thief of joy" and for me, that is true. After a month or so off, my joy in photography returned but I now make it a point to not enter competitions or compare my work to others. If that limits me, so be it. I shoot for myself and as long as I enjoy that, I don't feel the need to compare what I do or have others do so. While I certainly encourage, admire, and respect those who enjoy competitions, I decided that it is just not for me and I'm happier for it.
Many thanks, Philip. I'm pleased you like that image. It certainly prints well :)
I completely agree that comparing your work to others can be a dangerous path. I'm also much happier and more creative if I restrict my exposure to the work of others.
As usual, well considered and thoughtful comments. Well done, Simon.
Exactly! I love your perspective on photography! Always a pleasure to watch your vlogs!
Great video, and excellent thoughts. I really appreciate the sense of grounded-ness when watching your videos. Even one about entering competitions made me feel calm 🙂
Great advice, and food for thought, thank you Simon.
One of the best photography videos I’ve watched in ages Simon, mainly because I could relate to it greatly. 👍🙏
Thank you very much, Leigh :)
Great video as always - thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.
I’m also so amazed and impressed at how many compositions you share in the b roll of this video - I was watching and kept thinking “wow, there’s another beautiful composition of a lovely woodland”. Keep up the great work :)
Many thanks, Sean. I'm pleased you noticed my b-roll too :)
Thank you for your wise and honest thoughts on this subject, the useful links and discount code.
My problem with competitions is the prejudices of the judges. What I mean is that we all have our point of view on what makes a good photo.Tthe judges opinions rarely match yours. All art is subjective. That means your view will never match anyone else's view. So I personally never enter competitions. Saves a lot of grief on the contestants part. And maybe a few bucks.
Yep, it's a tricky one and there's certainly a degree of luck involved too. I completely understand why many choose not to enter competitions.
Maybe if the competition was judged & voted on by the public. My advice would be to get one's work (the same work judged from different groups) critiqued first to see if you can handle & maybe get a feel for what the majority of people , or most people like or want.
Depends on what type of contest it is and why they are having a contest. Most I have entered have to do with them using the photos to promote uniqueness to a certain area or to entice vacationers and travelers, or get new people to reside in an area. I always notice in contest like those, it's all about PROMOTION and doing that has certain requirements to get a winner. Once you understand that then you can submit based on that....and hint it's not YOUR #1 photo pick, I can guarantee that.
A really fascinating video on competitions and what they actually mean to the individual entering......and love that last composition walking off at the end of the video......
Thank you very much, Richard :)
I stopped entering camera club competitions a year ago and do not plan to restart. Judges at this level are often opinionated, over-focussed on technical issues (primarily 'sharpness'/'detail') or have their own personal favourites. There are also too many competitions to produce decent images for, so the overall standard is low. Even critiques, which could be the most valuable aspect of being in a club get hijacked and become competitions, thus losing their worth. I do enter enter the odd external comp when the fancy takes me, but so far without great reward. But that's ok. the very fact of having a focus is beneficial. This new comp sounds interesting and I see that Adam Gibbs is a judge and that is encouraging as I have been following him for a while now.
I agree that (from what I've heard many times) that some judges are very focused on technical proficiency. As you'll have picked up on my videos, it's the area which I rarely discuss as I personally think that the technical aspects, although important, aren't the primary concern. You could argue that there's a technical aspect to composition but it shouldn't be approached in that way.
Really enjoyed this video Simon. I had the same situation recently with the British Photography Awards. After a few days of feeling quite down, I forced myself out with the camera and instantly remembered why I took the photo that failed to win in the first place. Being out in nature, listening to bird songs on a bright but misty morning, as I did yesterday will do more for your soul than winning any award will ever do.
That was wonderful. So reaffirmed because I never enter competitions and just enjoy doing what I do.
Thanks Simon, I was just prepping pics for this competition and Nigel Dansons one also, when I saw your video. I really appreciate your focus on that it is art and very subjective to style and mood of the viewer. As you start to show your work to various artists, it is clearly seen. I really hope this particular contest is truly successful because there is so much art out there that is promoted as truth and field work and is so far from that.. It is almost depressing if you are someone who wants to focus on that realness because first it is hard to set those boundaries for yourself and second there are so many beautiful scenes out there that are basically more graphic art that photography. Its hard to compete with graphic art (fantasy) and real life, especially so when people promote the scenes created as the real scene.
The only thing left to photography competitions is vanity and bragging rights. There is not much exposure, evwn in the most popular ones. It's like may fly, you get the glory for a day, the next day it's gone. So I wouldn't say there's much commercial sense. Even if the main prize is big, the chance of winning it is too small for the effort and costs.
And the biggest downside is a distraction. A distraction from your own path, passion and projects.
I do enjoy watching the winner galleries of SOME competitions. Travel, wildlife, macro, these are the topics that can still bring a lot of creativity, fresh images. Landscape photography competitions are more and more copying and photoshop wizardry.
Just my thoughts. Everyone is free to do their thing and that's a good thing. Keep up the good work Simon!
Thank you for your thoughts. I think the commercial value is there, but probably only if you win or do exceptionally well, or have consistent success rather than a one-off. I think it's a good thing that this competition focuses on honesty and field craft, rather than photoshop wizardry. I wish I could enter this one, but at the same time I've not entered a comp for over 2 years.
@@SimonBaxterPhotography I am sure that this new competition will show more creativity and originality than most other landscape competitions. So I totally support the idea.
Regarding commercial value, I recently won one of the categories of the igpoty. Zero effect. And it is one of the better competitions. My friends who won Sony awards and itpoy say the same... I believe this is mostly due to oversaturation of photography media in general.
You might be right about consistency here, but the odds in this case are against you. You say yourself, there is no best photo, no best photographer, it's all subjective. How can one build a business model on this?
Thanks Simon. I have just begun to enter competitions. I have entered a wildlife challenge and I will probably enter this landscape photography competition. I understand the art competition world in that I entered many art competitions in High School. I simply do my best work, submit it, and forget it. That seems to be the way that I can keep my sanity doing it. Thanks again!
. I found myself going out to try to capture images that I thought might win a competition instead of enjoying the photography and hoping that some of the images might be good enough to be entered in a competition. I found that I was trying too hard and hating the images I was making. A very thought-provoking video. 👍
Very good analysis of competitions and what things should be considered.
3:50 You keep talking dad.. i will watch your back.......Well done Meg you watch for bears
I absolutely support this competition! I’ve only been seriously shooting for a year and a half but I’m entering because of the learning I will gain through the process of image selection, careful editing and submitting my best work. I do not expect any acknowledgement for my images but it’s still exciting! And, I should mention that the judges are amazing photographers that I respect.
Most photography "competitions" just seem to be businesses to make money from photographers and get publicity mostly for themselves. Yes, there are prizes (for a couple of people), but for the vast majority of competitors this is just a waste of money. And then you have the rare free competitions such as the famous (and much publicized) Sony World Photography Awards, which to me are the only ones worth entering.
I think what most photographers (and aspiring ones) need is to make money, not waste it.
Words of wisdom. The Arizona Highways is the only contest I entered; one of my images will be featured as an honorable mention in the September 2021 issue. The irony was I almost didn't enter and didn't know that I had been selected until much later. I love the magazine and respect the photographers featured there. However, my photography is how I deal with stress and find enjoyment. As much as I am honored, I must be true to my passion.
Great advice! Loving your work as always!👍
I’ve never entered an out of town competition, but seeing my work in our local gallery show is sure a kick!
I believe David Bailey said and I apologise if he didnt but it was a long time ago, he said he couldnt understand why amateurs take photos, all they do is put them in a drawer. I am a member of a RPS affiliated camera club and pre covid we had many club, inter club competitions, also submissions to area and national exhibitions. The camaraderie and knowledge built up by entering was enjoyable but it must be tempered with knowledge that all judges have their own personal tastes, so dont be disheartened when you dont have success with an image your passionate about, the next judge may love it. I personally have had an image that one week won a competition and the next week bomb, if you dont have success, keep at it, you and your photography will grow.
Thanks for your input, Steve. I think club competitions are different entirely as there's the opportunity for discussion and for people to learn or at least take on board an alternative view. National/International comps is basically a case of you're in or you're out.
Excellent , balanced advice
Good Monday Morning from New Zealand, Great Photo Comps Video, have a great week
Your little black friend is a great entertainer 😉 lg Klaus
Great vlog Simon, I have been really interested in the competition after hearing about it on David Johnston’s podcast. Great opportunity to fill a gap
Wise words.
I heard you on the BG Photography podcast talking about this and i agree wholeheartedly! I enter the usual big few comps each year... for me as hobby photographer photography is my escape from a busy work and family life... its all i ever want it to be and it gets me quiet time... well except when i shoot motorsports! But the reason why i enter competitions is simply just to do something with my pictures ive taken and yes when i get a mention in the results thats nice... but something like LPOTY... i struggle each year to pick my 8 or 20 to enter so how they go about processing the 1000s of images to a few... god knows and well done for even trying to! Ill always enter... ill always shoot primarily for myself... and if i get a few mentions... great!!! I even am slightly disapointed if i dont get that email saying ive been shortlisted... thats only natural... but it doesnt last long... it means nothing about my work... and doesnt stop me giving it a go next year! I think the issue is people often strive for the success in the hope it might springboard a career... the market in the uk alone is swamped and it seems to me that all your big photographers dont actually spend much time taking pics... they are self marketers, video makers, workshops and teachers who base it round taking pictures! That would take away why i need photography in my life!
I don't think that was me? I've not heard of BG Photography. I think you've got the perfect outlook on competitions - open minded, relaxed and just enjoy taking part. And yes, it's difficult to get a balance between enjoyable time with the camera and the business side. Thankfully, I still get out for me time as I also very much need it for my health, but it does mean that I'm not so prolific with 'content'.
@@SimonBaxterPhotography lol just checked... defo was... a back episode from October right enough... episode 11... Bernard Geraghty podcast! 😀 i only typed BG as tobe honest struggled to spell Geraghty! Just had to google it!
Ahhhh yes, sorry. The BG confused me :-D I can't remember what I said, but hopefully it made sense :-)
@@SimonBaxterPhotography similar to your thoughts in the video... cant wait to get out with the camera tonight in the kinclaven wood for bluebells stuck at work at the mo updating our construction programme.
Wise words!
I may give it a spin Simon, I'm encouraged by the described judging criteria, for example separation of drone and mind blowing astrophotography work seems like a very good idea and one I have thought about in the past. Valley stories is a personal favourite. :-)
A very debatable subject. Who are the judges (other photographers in the field of the subject or just ordinary people).
Every shot I make is a competition with myself and I am the judge of it (and the strictest one out there).
Thanks for sharing your vision on this difficult subject.
like the image
Having been a member of a photography club for the last four years which was very competition-orientated, I've come to the conclusion that - for me at least - club competitions can skew your photography towards a style that tends to be more succesful in competitions (in fact one judge has said that he now mainly takes photographs to win competitions).
The difference, though, between club competitions and open competitions such as the National Landscape Competition is that judges in club competitions have to make a judgement after seeing an image for sometimes a matter of seconds, so often don't have time to take in what the photographer is trying to convey. As I understand it, judges in open competitions usually have more time, even though they may be sifting through hundreds and maybe thousands of images, and can take a more considered (if at times subjective) view.
I suppose, in the end, it depends what you want from photography. Some people enjoy the competitive aspect and are not too concerned about creating "art". On the other hand, as Simon points out, "art" should not be about being competitive, but trying to encapsulate in a single image (or series of images) your own take on the world around you.
I also enter club competitions but I also enter national comps as well. Club entry's are a starting point that help you grow and understand how take a photo to fit the competition criteria but always leave enough of yourself in the image, if your not passionate about what you shoot it wont come through.
@@stevehayward2533 Actually I've always been very succesful in club competitions, including winning the Best Picture award in an inter-club competition. I agree with you that they can be a good starting point, but for me personally I feel I now want to move on. There are many professional photographers whose work I admire which probably wouldn't do well in club competitions.
I remember once seeing a picture of a competition judge in the process of judging, He was looking at a print through a magnifying glass. This suggests that technical excellence is a requirement for the entries. Technical excellence suggests, in turn, that sophisticated , costly gear is necessary for success - one of the many reasons I don't get involved in competitive photography.
You can achieve technical excellence with some very inexpensive gear. A good used prime lens, cheap tripod and a moderately recent APS-C camera can create some fantastic and corner to corner sharp images. You can even use free software.
This is one I considered entering when it got announced on Alister Benn's channel. I supposed I should take a closer look soon.
Worthwhile advice. 🎯👍 🥂
Some nice looking terrain your walking thru there. Did you have to do much to the color for the video?
Nothing edited. It's straight from my Sony in standard picture profile.
I enjoyed this post well.
I usually do not participate in photography contests. I agree with you Simon that art cannot be "judged" in a competition. Besides, who's to judge what a good or bad image is? Not even God can do that. Photography is an art form and not an exact science. It is way to subjective and therefore it defeats all purposes of a competition. I recently did enter Nigel Danson's competition though. But its because 90% or more of the entrance fee is going to charity. So to me it is not for the competition part but rather for the good cause. Anyway, love your video and your thoughts about and around photography competitions!
hi simon. now i know what you think about competitions but i wanted to ask something else. what do you think about instagram etc? is it worth to spend time building your gallery or is just waste of time? cheers simon
Competitions very much polarise opinion amongst photographers ... a bit like marmite. I still enter a few and have deliberately decided to only enter images taken in the previous year and those that I like and mean something to me. If that happens to coincide with what the judges like that year, then fair enough, if not I'm not that bothered. Any recognition is a surprise and a bonus..... in fact I recently discovered I had won an award by accident when looking at facebook ... they very helpfully had forgotten to email and tell me ! 😗. Have to agree with everything you said ..... and will be entering a few photos to Tim and Matts latest endeavour. At least the judges are practising landscape photographers ..... unlike LPOTY where at my last count only about half were.
If I was to choose only one competition to enter this year, it would be this one. But I can't, so I won't be entering any. That's probably a good thing :)
My apporoach to deciding if I should enter a competition is to shortlist the images I might enter and then look at the winners from previous years and ask myself the simple question: had I taken those images would they have been in my shortlist. If the answer is yes then I enter if not I assume that the judges are looking for different things than I am and hence go elsewhere. (Difficult in the case of a new competition).
It is futile and demoralising to get hung up on issues of "quality" and "rejection".
Interesting approach, John. Personally, I wouldn't pay any attention to the past winners. Even if it's the same judges, it's very likely that their opinion have changed over the course of 12 months. I think it's a good thing if their views are continually shifting.
I've been considering sending in a few submissions to this competition. With such a large reach of photographers i'm finding it somewhat futile and a waste of hard earned cash. if it were local perhaps.
Hi Simon, the release of this video & it's timing maybe deliberate, or maybe not as it is the last day to enter World Landscape Photographer of the Year. Like myself and many who follow you, are keen amateur photographers who are little known on social media, don't Vlog or have a website. For these reasons alone, entering any competition seems futile. Judges will surely look at websites to see what other work you have produced. I will continue to shoot for me and enjoy my photography as a hobby. I feel there is no point in entering if you do not have a website. Landscape photographer of the year has the same names in the book year in year out. I will go on, my way & improve my staircase photographic gallery.
If you are prepared to consider entering competitions please do not let this thought prevent you. It should be possible to check in each case, but any reputable competition should anonymize entries such that the judges will not know whose images they are looking at. This is certainly stated to be the case for the World Landscape Photographer of the Year.
Entry to open competitions are done anonymously, including Nigel Danson's World Landscape Phototgrapher of the Year (you get a unique registration code which is attached to your entry), and Landscape Photographer of the Year, both of which I've entered images to - as an amateur; so I wouldn't let the fact that you're an amateur put you off. If you're images are good enough they should stand up to scrutiny. Both of those competitions give you advice on the sorts of images that do well, and Nigel did an excellent video about this when he launched his competition.
Having said that, competitions should not be the sole criteria by which to judge how good your photography is. There are many excellent professional photographers who never ener competitions but whose work is widely admired.
I'm Iranian. It was really great. Sir, Simon Baxterif you can, take a photo editing tutorial. Thank you very much.
For the same reasons I will join a photography club I will not enter competitions. The snobbery and sole destroying criticism is not worth it, and this is not just my opinion but said of other photographer's I know. Photography is an art form and as such is in the eye of the beholder, I.E. what I think is a good shot often leaves my wife cold.
Yes, I think it's wise to be very picky as to who you receive criticism and advice from. Sound and reasoned critique is very valuable for growth and a particularly good photographer can offer balanced judgement and wisdom even work that isn't to their taste. It's difficult to find that though :)
I have not, and will not enter a photography "contest," subject to the snobbery and politicalization of the judges' attitude.
Hi Simon ,it's very hard for me to understand everything you say ( even if you speak rather clearly)
My opinion is that I really encourage young photographers to do competitions as long as they maintain their own peculiarity and their desire to make photos even they are not prizewinners ! It's important ( in my opinion ) not to feel being under examination but only receiving or not an appreciation ( important but not basic )