Suppose you have been dabbling in photography for a while now and you enjoy pushing yourself and seeing how your work stacks up against other photographers. In that case, you're probably weighing up if you should start entering photo competitions.
What are the advantages of photo contests? Beyond the thrill of winning, they offer a platform to benchmark your skills against your peers and gain valuable validation for your photographic efforts. There are also great prizes up for grabs; you could win a camera or some fantastic photography-related accessories.
This blog delves into the strategies for success in photo contests, equipping you to elevate your photography and potentially secure that coveted win.
What makes a winning photo?
Photography can be very competitive. Although the judges of a competition will likely admire and praise all entrants, when it comes down to it, there can only be one winner.
So, what makes a prize-winning photo? First, you need to ensure your entry follows all of the rules of the competition. If the competition is themed, don't try to bend the rules — just make sure your photos are suitable. Other considerations include file naming convention, and file type and size. You might have a great photo, but failing to meet these requirements can result in disqualification.
When it comes to picking the best photo to enter into a competition, think about what you think makes a photo good. As well as the basics, such as good exposure and sharp focus, you will want your photo to have a good composition, which engages with viewers and makes them stay engaged with your photo for longer. Our beginner's guide to photography composition covers the essential techniques that will help your entries stand out.
When all is said and done, does your photo make you feel something? If it elicits an emotional response from you, there's a good chance the judges will like it too.
How to take pictures for competition
If you are getting ready to take fresh new pictures for a photo competition, your first step should be understanding the theme or brief, to save any confusion. It can be helpful to make a plan or mood board before you fire up the camera so that when it comes time to capture your images, the process is fast and simple.
Now ask yourself, why do professional photos look better? Yes, part of the reason is more expensive camera equipment, such as mirrorless cameras and lenses that deliver the best picture quality. But it also comes down to practice and experience. The best photographers steer clear of auto modes, and have a firm grasp of the exposure triangle, so the overall quality of their photo is not left to chance, and they can make necessary adjustments on the fly to improve their results.
Photo competition checklist
Now that you have an understanding of how photo contests work and how you can start producing your best work to enter, here is a checklist that you should consider to give yourself every chance of success.
- Are you eligible? Whether it means joining a mailing list, following a specific social media page, or being based in a particular area, make sure you are eligible for a competition before you spend time compiling your entries.
- Are you meeting competition requirements? It may be tempting to just enter your favourite photos, but competitions have themes for a reason. Don't try to bend the rules, as the winner will be the one with the best image that perfectly meets the guidelines of the comp.
- How much editing is allowed? In the digital age, we can turn average photos into total works of art using basic digital editing functions. While adjustments to colour and brightness are usually not an issue, there are often strict rules around digital manipulation in photo competitions. When editing is permitted, tools like Lightroom make it easy to apply clean, competition-appropriate adjustments without over-processing your image.
- The finishing touches — Most competitions will have certain requirements that all entrants must adhere to. They are usually easy to follow, but many people still overlook them. These can include file type and size, and file naming convention. You may also be limited to a certain number of entries. Save yourself from being disqualified or overlooked immediately, and follow these simple steps.
Enter your photos in the next Ted's photo comp
Ted's photo competitions are run regularly and we give you the chance to show us how you are putting that new camera gear to use and win some great prizes! For inspiration, don't forget to check out the work of our past competition winners.
Join ClubTed today to be informed of the latest competitions and camera deals. And if you are serious about putting your best work forward, learn how to build a winning photography portfolio to showcase your strongest images.
How to Find Photo Competitions and Photo Contests to Enter
Finding the right photo competitions and photo contests to enter is half the battle. In Australia, photo comps are run by camera clubs, photography magazines, brands like Ted's Cameras, and community organisations year-round. Start by searching for local camera club competitions, as these are beginner-friendly and provide constructive feedback. National photo contests — often run by wildlife, travel, or lifestyle brands — tend to attract larger prize pools. Check photography forums, social media groups, and retailer websites regularly to stay across new opportunities. Entering a range of photo competitions, from niche themed contests to open-format comps, helps you build experience, develop your eye, and understand what different judges are looking for.
Online Photography Competitions: How to Enter and What to Expect
Online photography competitions have made it easier than ever for Australian photographers to compete on a global stage without leaving home. These digital photo contests accept submissions via an online portal, meaning your entry is judged purely on the strength of the image rather than a physical print. When entering online photography competitions, pay close attention to resolution requirements, colour profile specifications (typically sRGB), and file size limits. Many online photo contests also require a title or caption, so prepare a short, compelling description of your image. Research the competition's past winners to understand the aesthetic and style that resonates with their judges before you submit your best shot.
How to Win a Photography Competition: Key Strategies
Knowing how to win a photography competition comes down to more than just technical skill — it requires strategy. Study the judging criteria closely; most photo competitions score on composition, creativity, technical execution, and relevance to the theme. Choose an image that tells a story or evokes an emotional response, as these entries consistently outperform technically perfect but emotionally flat shots. Avoid over-editing — judges notice heavy-handed post-processing. If you are serious about how to win a photo competition, seek feedback from experienced photographers before submitting. Fresh eyes often catch distracting elements or cropping issues you may have overlooked. Submit early, follow every rule precisely, and enter consistently — persistence is one of the most underrated strategies in photo comp success.
If you need to brush up on these fundamentals, our complete guide to the exposure triangle breaks down aperture, shutter speed, and ISO in plain language.