Everyone's a (digital) photographer these days. How do you stand out? How do you even get the word out that you're here and taking amazing pictures? A natural next step is to enter some photography contests to gain exposure. It can be hard to find the right one, but I have gathered a list that covers a broad range; from free challenges voted upon by users to high-profile international competitions with panels of judges.
A word of warning: entering your best photos into photography contests online is a risky endeavor. Scams abound, so it's important to know everything about a contest before you enter. While I can't vouch for all the sites on this page, I've tried my best to find only legitimate contests and competitions for both the amateur and professional photographer.
How do you know if it's a scam?
Some scams will be hard to detect. In fact, many are perfectly legal. Avoid contests that ask for the rights to all entries whether they win or not. Some contests will take the 'winning' photo (and all the rights with it) and publish it in a book before trying to sell it back to you at exorbitant prices (not to mention you aren't getting compensation for these uses of your photo either). Go with your gut feeling and do a search using the contest's name to see if there has been any chatter online. Oh, and read the fine print. Every bit of it.
An older blog entry over at Photoethnography.com sums up quite well what you should be looking for.
How to submit the right photo
A lot can depend on the contest, but here are a couple of blog entries I found regarding prepping and submitting the right photo for the right contests.
A judge at the Crestock Photography Contest has written quite an in-depth article on how to win a photography contest. at PhotoCritic.org
Also, Eliot Shepard, a judge at one of Hey, Hot Shot!'s competitions, wrote about what they were looking for on his blog.
The sites!
One last note: some of these contests may have already ended their current run; but they are recurring! Bookmark 'em, have a look at the winners, take some inspiration, and be ready for the next opportunity.
Betterphoto.com
Frequency: monthly
Fee: no
Who: amateur, professional
What: changes monthly
Where: international
Prizes: your own photography showcase
Canon Photography in the Parks
Frequency: yearly
Fee: no
Who: amateur
Theme: park photography (changes each year)
Where: US residents
Prizes: trip/equipment
Crestock Photography Contest
Frequency: yearly
Fee: no
Who: amateur, professional
Theme: one theme per round
Where: international
Prizes: equipment
DPChallenge
Frequency: multiple/ongoing
Fee: no (membership option)
Who: amateur, professional
What: different theme per challenge
Where: international
Prizes: badges
The Everyman
Frequency: yearly
Fee: no
Who: amateur
What: multiple categories
Where: international
Prizes: depends on category won (up to $100)
FotoFight
Frequency: multiple/ongoing
Fee: become a member
Who: amateur, professional
What: multiple categories
Where: international
Prizes: no
Hey, Hot Shot!
Frequency: quarterly
Fee: yes
Who: amateur, professional
What: new theme each week
Where: international
Prizes: exhibition
International Color Awards
Frequency: yearly
Fee: yes
Who: amateur, professional
What: multiple categories
Where: international
Prizes: grants over $10,000
International Photo Awards
Frequency: yearly
Fee: yes
Who: amateur, professional (separate contests)
What: open
Where: international
Prizes: Up to $10,000
JPG Magazine
Frequency: ongoing
Fee: no (membership required)
Who: amateur, professional
What: open
Where: international
Prizes: $100/publication
The Last Photographer Standing
Frequency: twice monthly (one grand prize per year)
Fee: no (must be a member of Digital Grin)
Who: amateur, professional
What: open
Where: international
Prizes: up to $7500
London Photographic Awards
Frequency: multiple/ongoing
Fee: yes
Who: amateur, professional
What: one theme per competition
Where: international
Prizes: membership options
National Geographic's Your Shot
Frequency: monthly
Fee: no
Who: amateur, professional
What: open
Where: international
Prizes: publication
National Photo Awards
Frequency: monthly
Fee: Yes
Who: amateur, professional
What: changes monthly
Where: international
Prizes: $500
Photo Friday
Frequency: weekly
Fee: no
Who: amateur, professional
What: new theme each week
Where: international
Prizes: no
Photographer's Forum
Frequency: multiple/yearly
Fee: yes
Who: amateur, professional
What: open
Where: international
Prizes: money and equipment
The Photographic Portrait Prize
Frequency: yearly
Fee: yes
Who: amateur, professional
What: portraits
Where: international
Prizes: exhibition
PhotoLife Image International
Frequency: yearly
Fee: yes
Who: amateur, professional
What: three categories
Where: international
Prizes: trips
Popular Photography
Frequency: multiple/ongoing
Fee: see specific contest
Who: amateur, professional
What: multiple categories
Where: see specific contest
Prizes: money/publication
The RedBubble Real Photography Competition
Frequency: unknown
Fee: no (must join community)
Who: amateur, professional
What: multiple categories
Where: international
Prizes: equipment
SOAPhoto
Frequency: monthly
Fee: no (membership required)
Who: amateur
What: four categories
Where: international
Prizes: equipment
World in Focus
Frequency: yearly
Fee: yes
Who: amateur, professional (separate contests)
What: travel photography
Where: international
Prizes: trips/featured publication
There are many, many more out there, but this list will give you a good start.
Do you have any experiences with photography competitions? Do you know of any good ones that others should enter? Leave your faves in the comments below.