Basic Tips For A Well Exposed Photo Contest Entry

Learning photography could be not easy at first because there are numerous things and factors that need to be mastered in order to be excellent. Having an innate talent in photography is wonderful and can let you win a photo contest but still learning and practice are fundamental. Even successful photographers today that have already won numerous photography contest and competitions around the world still continue to learn and practice often. Aside from the fact that numerous techniques are affected by the development of technology, basics are still important just like getting the right exposure. Mastering the basics in photography could not only let anyone win a picture contest but be an excellent example for others. 

Photo Contest: Long Exposure

image source: photographya.info

There’s really no need to rush when you want to learn. Always start with the very basic and one of which is proper exposure. Successful photographers who win a photo contest have also started to gain their skills through practicing the right exposure. The three factors that affect photography exposure are shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. Exposure is all about the right amount of light. Most critics in a photography contest would surely agree that the balance of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO will definitely do magic to produce an excellent exposure. One of the trickiest factors is the aperture. What is aperture anyway? It is a hole present in the lens that can be adjusted so that the amount of light could be balanced with the shutter speed. This hole can be opened widely or narrowly to control the amount of light to get it. If you want to achieve a well exposed entry for a picture contest, you have to master the trick and technique in using the aperture. 

Take note that aperture and shutter speed work together. It simply means that they compensate each other. Let’s say you have this required subject in a picture contest that needs slower shutter speed; what would your aperture be? Slower shutter speed requires close or narrow opening of aperture and vice versa. This simple basic technique must always be in the minds of those who are planning to push through their career in photography and win a photo contest.

Mastering the aperture technique to produce a well exposed photo for a photography contest could be hard if there is no willingness and practice. Anyone who is interested in photography must always be willing to learn and practice.

How to Make Your Way in a Photo Contest

They say that photography is a form of art. It is judged as to how the viewer sees it. Like other art, the message or the story in a photo can clearly be interpreted by the photographer itself. But once the photo is engaged in a photo competition, its significance to the photographer may come less important to the conclusion of the judges. Like in any contest, a photography contest can offer a prize ranging from certificates into amounts of cash and even to luxurious items such as a car. This depends on the host of the competition. While some make a photo competition into venue for extra income, some considers a photography contest as a venue of expressing their selves to the public. Just remember that when entering such challenge, conclusions have to be made. If it does not turn into what you expect it to be, don’t feel down. Instead, consider it as a stepping stone to a much brighter path.

But if you intend to nail the photography contest here are the following tips you need to tag along for an ensured success: 

1.) Know the contest rules. If you don’t then don’t bother joining a photo contest. Violating a part of the rule may disqualify a contender in the photo competition making all of one’s effort into waste. 

2.) Stick to the theme or topic. There is a reason why a theme is presented in a photo contest. It may differ from the cause of the event depending on the host of the photography contest. Another is to narrow down the wide choices of the judges. 

3.) Image shot should be sharp. Blur due to shaking is unacceptable unless it’s made in purpose.

4.) Make your photo or image tell a persuasive story. Make an impact at first glance. Make sure the subjects or elements in your picture express the story you would like to tell. 

5.) Be creative. Play with the different elements. Blend them together to make the perfect photo. 

6.) Be original. Originality is commonly included in the criteria. Aside from this, judges can easily tell if the photo is a copy of another. 

7.) It is a competition. Remember that you will be competing with a number of photographers with the same goal as you are. So focus on your own style and make the best out of it.

Whatever you do in the photo contest, the best way to be on top of it all is to enjoy every moment and appreciate the art of photography.

Competitive Tips To Win A Baby Photo Contest

Having a baby in the family promotes a different level of atmosphere with in each other because they are like angels that bring out innocence and genuine happiness. Babies also become the center of attention and one of the favorite subjects for family photography. Since photography has increased popularity in today’s generation, different types of categories were developed and one of which is baby photography. There have been so many free baby photo contest and competitions being hosted both in the net and in the local state area. Most companies who host a free baby photo contest are those who are in the business of catering baby supplements.

If you are a mother who is interested in joining a baby photo contest, get your self ready to take some action with your cute little angel. Honestly, baby photography isn’t that easy but not too hard anyway. If you have not experienced a formal training in photography, then you might need to spend a little time learning some fundamental basics on how to take picture of babies and win a baby photo contest.

Baby’s firsts are always memorable as ever. If you want to have a good story to tell in a baby picture, the record of their first smile, crawl, sit, bath, or walk could be a great choice. However, a good story in mind is not the only factor to win a baby photo contest. It’s more than a story which really requires the entrant to do some special touches on the picture. A good story must be arranged through the proper application of good composition techniques and excellent exposure.

Photography composition techniques are almost the same in any kind of category in photography; the difference would depend on the photographer’s perspective, creativity, and attitude. Always take note of the subject’s point of view or your own point of view when applying the rule of thirds. Then, for lighting, bear in mind that balance must be achieved to have a competitive entry in a free baby photo contest. As commonly suggested by experts, natural lighting can do magic when it comes to baby photos. Objects in the foreground must also be taken into consideration for balance. Choose objects that would complement the subject as the center of interest. Framing is also important for good composition.

For exposure settings in photographing a baby, fast shutter speed and high ISO are recommended because the subject’s character is unpredictable. Once you can master composition and the appropriate exposure settings to use; get ready, be adventurous and explore the beauty of baby photography. Always remember that practice makes it perfect. It always works!

Two Fundamental Elements in Pet Photography

To accomplish a good composition photo of pets is not that hard but it’s not that easy too. A photographer needs to have the necessary skills to capture the best moments of pets. In such occasions like in a pet photo contest, different entries show a certain story in their pet photograph. As they always say that telling a good story is the same with taking a good photograph.

Pets especially dogs are not an easy subject to capture unlike what others think. Planning to join a dog photo contest needs extra effort, determination, and patience. Bear in mind that your subjects cannot understand the common language we use so we have to do every way to make them understand what we want them to do if we aim a very good portrait photo of them.

The most important elements each photographer must consider if they want dogs as their subject in a pet photo contest entry are composition and the proper placement of the camera. Before anything else, it would be better to create a story in your mind first before the actual photo shoot. Ask yourself how you would like the photograph to look and how would you like the viewers to feel upon seeing the photograph. A story can guide you on composing your entry in a dog photo contest. Let’s say that you want the subject to show superiority like Doberman and German shepherd breeds that are considered police dogs. Taking their photos from above would surely not appeal to judges in a dog photo contest. What you can do is to go down to their level and place the camera below them for a lower perspective and that will somehow produce a photo

of a tall and hero-like image of the subject.

To achieve a dramatic concept for your pet photo, try the overhead position and close up shots. In this way, you can capture the body part especially the head or face with its facial expressions that are prominent. Another position where we could get a good composition for pets is from taking the shot from behind. Use of frames must be implemented for this position to highly accentuate the center of interest. Taking a picture from behind can be very useful and flexible when used as an entry for a pet photo contest.

Knowing how to properly position your camera could greatly help in achieving an excellent composition in pet photography. For novice photographers, it is a must to learn the techniques mentioned above in order to improve the skills in photography and eventually become an expert.

The Perks of Winning A Photo Contest

Art deserves to be applauded! Art has given a different kind of meaning about beauty in everything just like the art of photography. However, if you look back in history, photography as an art has encountered a lot of serious debates from different critics. Today, photography has been widely recognized as an art but is also very important in other industries especially in science. It has so many practical applications in the world. If you are an artist, achieving the skills in photography would not be that hard because one key to good photography is learning how to appreciate what you see visually. The advent of digital cameras in today’s world has also taken photography to a different level because it promotes versatility.

There are numerous photo contest that are being held globally because many people are getting interested in the photography world. Each one of them wants to compete or wants to prove their skills through competition and by means of joining a picture contest.

A photography contest is an effective tool in screening the best among all skilled photographers worldwide. According to critics and experts, the first fundamental benefit of photography contest is its ability to encourage both beginners and professional photographers to discover the still unknown beauty of photography. Usually, if there is a new set of photo contest to be held by a certain organization or company, there would also be a new set of rules and guidelines which goes with the level of technology the world is facing today. There are also other types of picture contest that would challenge you to go back in the past through the use of modern facilities.

Indeed, so much can be learned if you join a photography contest; but, have you wondered how other companies benefit from it? The obvious reason is marketing. If you have noticed, most companies that host a picture contest include promotion of their services and products just like different brands of cameras. Through photo competition, they will have a way to introduce their products to photography enthusiasts.

Contemporarily, photography applications and outputs are so wide that sometimes other people may view it as just any other ordinary thing. However, let us not forget the true beauty and use of photography in the world of art, education, medicine, and business as well. A photo contest is one way to remind us that photography should not be taken for granted because it plays a very important role in this world.

Photography Contest Tips: No to Mergers

Have you seen a picture with its subject looking really weird? Those kinds of pictures where there are unwanted connections? Those are what we call mergers. Yes, in photography composition, avoiding mergers is a fundamental technique. You can’t surely win a photography contest with mergers on your entries, right? For beginners, mergers are elements in the background that could merge into the foreground of the subject of interest which can cause undesirable output. It’s like taking a photo of your friend with a tree behind its back and you were too focused on the subject and didn’t notice that you were capturing the tree located just above your friend’s head. It turns out like the tree branches are directly connected from the head. Mergers are too common for those who are beginning to learn photography which is why it is very important to learn how to avoid mergers and do a lot of practice. There is lot of examples of photographs displaying mergers in the web and even in some photography contest online for beginners. Even in some photo contest, there are still near mergers found in numerous entries. Near mergers are lines and objects that are too close on the subject of interest. 

According to expert photographers who have already won numerous photo contest and competitions for years, the number one technique in avoiding mergers is to determine the right angle to shoot. If you need to bend down a little bit or move to the right, then do it! When you capture your subject, do not focus on the subject only but also on its background. Winning a picture contest requires perseverance, patience and a lot of effort.

Good framing is also another way to avoid mergers. This technique is often used in entries for a picture contest. Framing is one tip in creating a good composition in photography. Let’s say you are going to shoot a group picture, always bear in mind to align your focus on the camera’s viewfinder. There should be a little space around everyone. Trimmed heads and people cut in half is a big No-no if you have plans to join a picture contest.

Basically, mergers are easy to find but hard to classify. As a beginner who wants to join a certain photography contest someday, learn to master the techniques of good composition which includes avoiding mergers. Never stop learning and practicing because a photo contest means great competitors. Take every opportunity as a challenge and learn from it well.

Impact of Lines In Producing Excellent Photography Composition

Composition in photography is very important for the picture to look meaningful and catchy. It’s one of the most vital criteria used in any kind of photo contest. It is in the composition of a photograph where judges and critics from photography contest sees the impact of the image. Having an excellent composition in the photo could surely make an entry competitive in a photography contest no matter what.

One element of photography composition is the lines. It greatly affects how the viewer sees the image. Great lines mean dynamic photograph. If you have plans to join a photo contest, you must learn the effect of the different lines in the photograph.

Vertical lines can be found in trees, people standing up, buildings and other infrastructures. This kind of lines motivates moods and feeling of strength, superiority, height, and power. If you have the desire to display these kinds of feelings in your photo contest entry, then make sure to let the vertical lines be distinctive in the photo. If you want to use buildings as the subject for your picture contest entry, make sure to make the vertical lines clearly visible. Next are horizontal lines which can be commonly found in landscapes. Take note how important is the horizontal lines in the rules of thirds which is another element of photography composition. Horizontal lines stimulate the mood of peacefulness and feeling of tranquility. Picture contest entries that concern about landscapes can be enhanced through proper positioning of the lines.

Then, there are diagonal lines which simply denote force. This can be applied to photograph where in the photographer wants to display an act. Diagonal lines can be seen in sports photography and trees moved by air. There are also times that a photographer needs to tilt the camera to force a diagonal line; however, this technique must be used properly that it should look natural especially if you are making an entry in a photography contest. Curve lines show the most artistic type of lines. The “S” curve line which is commonly known as the line of beauty can be seen in roads, double curves of rivers. A lot of experienced photographers who join a photo contest used “S” curve lines to display the natural beauty of nature.

Understanding the effects and uses of different lines in photography could produce a photo that is natural, dynamic, and making a great impact to the viewers. Proper use of lines could indeed make a difference in the photo’s composition.

Factors In Achieving A Balanced Composition

In the area of photography, lots of people think of so many rules; however, experts and experienced photographers who have already won numerous photography contest or competitions globally say that there are no rules but just guidelines. Photography does not set any kind of rules to follow but just tips and techniques to guide anyone who’s interested to learn. One of the most fundamental techniques in photography is to master the basics because it will serve as a firm foundation in learning new and modern techniques and eventually be your ticket in joining an influential photography contest in the future.

One of the basic techniques in photography is composition which handles balance. It is a known fact that balance is very important in any kind of field like in architecture, engineering, medicine, and a lot more. Photography isn't an exception. If you have seen a prestigious photography contest or exhibit, you will witness that each photo has its balance. It looks like all of the photos in a photo contest could grab the first place; however, balance is not just about plain balance. In photography, there are factors to be considered in producing a balanced composition. 

Judges in a photo contest always look into the expertise of a photographer to create a good balance which mainly depends on the combination of color, lighting, space and shapes. As the rule of thirds state that the center of interest could not only be placed in the center but could be at the sides or in other locations; however, balance must be achieved by using the right color. Let’s say that your entry for a picture contest consists of small region of lively colors; to balance it, the large region must have neutral colors. Then, for lighting, always remember the concept of lightness against darkness. For open spaces, just make sure to put the subject on the other side which is the center of interest. This is one of the most common errors of beginners upon joining their first picture contest.

When it comes to shapes, make sure that balance can be achieved by proper positioning of small objects into a wide flat area. Entries in a picture contest that has large open regions always have something irregular placed into it which creates harmony for the whole photo. The factors mentioned about are just the basics of producing a balanced composition, as beginners who are planning to join a photo contest, master the basics

and don’t ever stop learning.

How To Start Your Career In Photography

For beginners who are starting to like the photography industry has a lot to learn. Some people would take photography as just taking pictures and that’s it; nothing more, nothing less. I wish it’s that simple but it’s kind of a complicated thing when you are still starting off. Other people are also fascinated with different photos taken in a certain photo contest and want to try it themselves; however, the problem is some are just so ignorant to learn the basics. The most important characteristic of a beginner should possess the willingness to learn no matter what. If you do a survey and find out the secret of those experts who have already won numerous photography contest or competition, one of their answer is that they would always grab every opportunity to learn.

Even if in other industries, learning is a must. The complicated part about learning the techniques and skills in photography is that they consist of so many categories and subcategories. If you attend a picture contest, you would notice that certain photography contest requires a specific theme or category in order for the judges to evaluate well in accordance with that kind of category. Other picture contest also has variety of categories and they also have different set of judges by category. There is also a photo contest who accepts any kind of entries from different category. This kind of situation arises because of the fact that each category has its unique technique and skills required. There are photographers who are expert in one category and poor in another category; however, with the advent of digital cameras today, you can expect that most experienced photographers can easily develop and learn the do and don’ts in every kind of category in photography. 

Since photography is such a wide industry, in order to acquire the basic skills as a beginner, there is a need to evaluate yourself on what category you’re most interested in. Research everything about it. Attending a photography contest with that kind of category could also help you learn a lot. One of the best sources that is free today is the internet. There are even free photo contest held in many websites to promote their products and services which is basically cameras and other photography products. Read books and magazines that focus on the category that you are interested in. If you want to learn and win a picture contest someday, start it now and not tomorrow or the next month. The time for you to be a famous photographer starts ticking now.

Guide in Using the Rule of Thirds For A Photo Contest Entry

Some people are under the impression that putting their subject at the center makes a good photo which is not always right. It would be redundant if that’s always the case. In most photo contest, different angles are taken into account by the judges. A photograph is somewhat considered as a different mode of telling a story which can be defined as the connection of thoughts written in paragraphs. The same concept applies to photography. Photography isn’t all about the subject but its how the elements in the photo complement each other. It’s the balance of composition in the photograph that catches the viewer’s attention. If you have plans joining a photography contest, you have to learn the proper way of exposing a balanced composition to impress the judges.

 

Photo Contest: The Rule of Thirds

img source: photographymad.com

One of the basics of photography composition is the famous Rule of thirds which could be mistakenly be taken as rule of ninths because it generates 9 rectangles. Anyway, Rule of thirds is very popular that you can almost see it in most entries in a picture contest. Rule of thirds is very helpful for beginners who want to learn about photography and eventually wishes to win a photo contest; however, it would be hard for them to accept it at first. Most beginners who join a picture contest would always consider a center stage for their subject or focal point. Rule of thirds is a rule of thumb in photography which states that a photo should be visualized to be divided into thirds which makes nine equal sections. It includes point of intersections that will generate potential interest to the viewers. A landscape piece in a photo contest strongly applies rule of thirds because horizons are defined. Experts always advised that if you choose a landscape as your subject upon joining a picture contest, it is vital to consider the location of the area of interest of the photo. Let’s say that the area of interest of your entry in a photography contest is the plane section like water or land, the horizon line needs to be at least one third from the top line; if the area of interests is the sky, then the horizon line must be placed two thirds from the top line. By doing so, the photo could display a strong vibe and energy.

Using Rule of thirds in photography or in any kind of photography contest helps photographers in guiding viewers where to look at. Distinct spots will be highlighted when Rule of thirds is used correctly.