wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Most of the time I can figure out why a shot has won. But there are other times pictures have me scratching my head.

When I was learning photography from my professional teacher, he would tell us about contests where the photographer's would find out who were the judges and specifically choose prints to favor those judges. His comment was won't you rather win with a photo you really liked that didn't favor the judges.

You are absolutely right that contests are arbitrary. And even if one enters and doesn't win, it does not mean the shot you took was not a good shot. I sat in on a judging of PSA entries sent in to a contest where the judges were deciding on the third place shot. Two very good but different shots. It took over 15 minutes of deep discussion before finally deciding between the two. It was almost down to a flip of a coin. Does that mean the third place shot was that much better than the "fourth place" shot or many others?

One does not have to enter a contest to prove their shot is good. It is nice if one enters and wins something. But if it brings a smile to the photographer's face, and a memory to one's mind, it will always be a winning photograph.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Many, many years ago there was a contest...
What won was a "print" that got caught in an ektamatic print processor. All smeary.
That's when I quit entering contests.
Never did find out what was the subject of the picture.
I'll post an image I really like on FB, might get 12+ "likes".
I'll post one I think is "eh", it gets 30+ likes.
Go figure.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

My opinion on bridge cameras is quite "pro" after using and kinda mastering a slr and getting enthused with photoshop i naturally craved a dslr - one of my son-in-laws that is a fantastic photographer with the $$$'s to buy and use the top of the line dslr camera as well as a couple view cameras gave me a panasonic fz3 and told me it had all the features of his big $$$ dslr and assortment of lens and to just learn it's features and enjoy it - well i did just that and over the next 8 yrs i moved up to their fz7 - ya i dropped a couple that did not bounse- years and things happened and i put together a canon rebel t3i and some lens and thought i was thru with the fz7 and gave it to my daughter the alaskan air attendent foe her travels - i had taken many photos from a window seat at 30.000 ft as i was doing a lot of flying in my early retirement - well i sure miss that bridge camera at times - ussualy the ones when i dig out and mount my mirrored 500mm and wish for more reach.

Harvey in the Sierra mnts

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Skip99 Loc: Lakewood, WA

I have enjoyed travel with my Sony RX100IV. Lugging Sony @6500 and three lenses through airports, hotels and cruise ships was a pain. I'll try to add an image ( cropped to enlarge key element ) to show quality. I just upgraded to a Sony RX100VI to get longer lens. I'm a happy amateur with the small camera.

fredfinke Loc: Denver

The picture is everything, no matter how you get it!

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

it bothers me to see people who post photos of this quality referring to themselves as "amateur" when in fact they are "not for profit pros"

Skip99 Loc: Lakewood, WA

You are very encouraging. Thank you!

I was fortunate to see the clouds forming while on a treadmill at my gym. I jumped off and sought a good shot location. My first, best choice failed. Fortunately I thought about the dock at American Lake Park. Also fortunate to have my camera in the center console of my Jeep.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Love the term!!!

JBRIII

Non-profit is a term which refers to tax status, to me.

For software companies, amateur generally means you don't use it to make money.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

"Not for profit" is a broader term.
"Non-profit" is a more specific reference.

I do my photography not for profit, but for my enjoyment.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I just found this post so I am way behind on date.

Look Here: http://stokesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/ Lillian Stokes - of the book series and feeder brand uses Bridge Cameras/Super Zooms for some of her work. The latest I see her mention is the Nikon P950 but years ago when I got my wife a Canon SX50 it was largely because of her use and article on using the SX50 for birds. She had an extensive article on setting and use of that camera - should apply to just about any Bridge Camera.