Sandrine

What has been your experience with photo contests such as IPA, IP, etc? Entering, winning, losing, success, frustrations? Newbie would like to know.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

PPA and IPC events can be a real learning experience. if you ever have a chance to see the judging process you'll find it well worth your time. If you don't have thick skin avoid entering. If you sincerely wish to learn you will benefit greatly.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

RUN from the ones that basically take your rights to the photo away from you.
Read everything carefully.

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

Sounds like excellent advice.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I don't enter photo contests because I know all my pictures are the best around, and I don't want to embarrass other photographers. That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it.

Photo contests are judged based on the preferences of the judges. It's totally subjective - like dancing, singing, or figure skating.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

BINGO!!!!!!!!!!

SonyBug

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

LOL.......

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

I am vain enough that I am not going to enter any of my special photographs in a contest that allows them to use your photo for whatever they wish - some of them say that you retain your rights to the photo - but also say that they have the right to publish any photo entered and to use it as they wish. They get a lot of "free photos" for the cost of what often is not that much of a prize....

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

And this point is proven every day by the myriad and variety of posts here, passing judgement on works of others.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

I agree, Jerry, that photo contest judging has an element of subjectivity to it; I'd submit that any contest where judging compares non-quantitative entries will have to rely on some amount of subjectivity. I don't think that that should discourage photographers from entering contests, however. Despite the subjective element, better contests will usually have judges that (subjective biases aside) have adequate knowledge in technical and aesthetic realms to allow them to make reasonable assessments of a photograph's quality. I think those who enter contests frequently will attest that there is an overall consistency in results across contests. In other words, most good judges have the ability to tell the difference between a good, bad, or great photo, and their feedback can be very valuable to participants. Avoiding contests or discounting them on the basis that the results will have some subjectivity to them, can mean missing a great opportunity for helpful feedback and growth.

[snarky side comment: My experience has been that the photographers who are most vocal in complaining about judging being subjective are those who are least likely to score well in the contest! ]

Murray Loc: New Westminster

Well said!

ekfelton Loc: Michigan

rond-photography Loc: Connecticut

Start by Googling "12 Elements of a Merit Image". Those elements will be considered in most judging whether that is stated or not. The elements are the basic criteria of a good photo.

Enter some easy contests to get practice.
I enter photos in the Bethlehem, CT fair near me. I have done well there (eventually). Look at the winners and see what is winning - that will give you an idea of how you need to improve. Throughout the year, I copy contenders to a folder named for the fair (i.e. Bethlehem Fair 2019) and choose from those near the entry deadline.

If you can attend the judging, you will see how they eliminate the ones that don't meet the standards. Remember that if you enter a category the photo should without question convey that category or it will be eliminated just because it is not on theme. Make sure composition is spot on. Feeling is important - a good photo tells a story (a really difficult thing to learn and I am no expert).

Other contests are more difficult. You are competing against the world in some cases. As others have said, if the contest doesn't let you keep your rights to your photos, look at other contests. Other than actually winning a prize in a contest, you won't hear how you placed. Do check out the winners though and you will learn what you need to be bringing to the contest next time you try.

MrMophoto Loc: Rhode Island "The biggest little"

I teach photography in an Art Dept. of a public school and yes, grading (judging) (students) work is very subjective, but that's the nature of creativity. I also enter gallery shows around the country. I am very carefull to match my work with the theme of the show and I always look at the work of the judge(s). I do get accepted into shows on occasion and I look at those times as an acheivement.
Those gallery shows are a way to make money for the galleries, they charge $25 - $35 per entry and if they get 100 entries for a show (which would be a very small number), do the math. However, they do promote the show, the artists and the art community in general. And Yes judging art work is very subjective, but then again Art is subjective.