Winning Digital Photo Contests [Book Review]
Entering and hopefully winning contests was “all the go” when film camera clubs were all the go. Those were the days of clubs and societies that encouraged members to meet regularly, discuss new equipment and lavish attention on the art of photography.
Well, film groups may have nearly disappeared but contests — of the digital kind — are thriving, thanks to the Internet.
This has given new life to photography and stimulated creativity, raised the quality of the captured image and encouraged the competitive urge. Not only has the Internet stimulated the whole business but, as author Wignall points out in his book ‘Winning Digital Photo Contests‘ “there are the prizes” … publication print, new cameras, exotic trips etc. There’s even a list of hot sites at the back of the book!
How to go about it? Take chapter one on Pictures that Win. Most contest winners are of ordinary subjects but stand out because of technical precision, along with the ability to elicit an emotion, recreate a mood and deliver a feeling of passion. Not so easy!
A superb example of this is found on page 13: an Air France airliner lands at a West Indies airport, making a low approach just metres above surfers at a beach.
Other examples are immensely stimulating and will jolt you into action: a baby, one eye closed, looks over a mother’s shoulder; a line of four frogs, about to jump out of frame.
The illustrations in the book, along with advice offered, is unique and little short of superb.
If this does not activate you, nothing will.
More Information on Winning Digital Photo Contests
Author: J Wignall.
Publisher: Lark Books.
Distributor: Capricorn Link. 192 pages.
ISBN 978 1 60059 397 0.
Price: Get a Price at Amazon on Winning Digital Photo Contests




4 Responses to “Winning Digital Photo Contests [Book Review]” - Add Yours
May 1st, 2010 at 3:52 am
I wonder if it has lists of legit, reputable online contests to join?
I always worry about rights issues, paying an entrance fee, etc.
May 1st, 2010 at 12:39 pm
i purchased a nikon 70-210mm 1:4 E series lens. for 20$. i have a nikon d40. can i use this lense on . and was this a good deal
May 2nd, 2010 at 1:47 am
Jeff has a pretty good blog that he runs as well. (The Occasional) Photo Tip of the Day. http://phototipoftheday.blogspot.com/
I have been following it for months now and he has some great tips and ideas. Take a look and check out Jeff’s new book, Focus on Digital Photography Basics (A Lark Photography Book).
Frank
May 7th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
Jason,
Just to let you know, I took great pains to make sure that the contests that I mentioned were completely legit. In fact, the longest chapter in the book is devoted to knowing how to find good/worthy contests and how to evaluate, on your own, whether they are legit or not. As a photographer, of course, protecting photographers’ rights couldn’t be higher on my list of priorities! If you (or anyone) ever finds any contest in the book is less than great in any way, I’ll strip it from the next edition! The real gist of the book though (as with all of my books) is motivation and inspiration….two things we all need more of!
Thanks to Barrie Smith for the nice review, by the way! Rock on
jeff
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