Page 10 - Cape-Camera-Jan-Feb-2023

January 2023 Cape Camera

The value of Competitions

in photography

Remember: Competitions is not a dirty word.

By Evelyn Gibson
FPSSA, APSSA(Vers), EPSSA(Mille-Platinum), ARPS,EFIAP, SPSA, SPSSA.

What we need to learn, when participating in a competition, is
We all know this word well, it is talked about a lot, it is moaned
about a lot here and there and also not always understood com- how to deal with disappointment. No one can win all the time.
pletely. Some of us may not win very often. If we treat each competition
as a learning experience we will begin to be a more success-
Competitions can be a great way of inviting a little discipline ful competitor and photographer. We should always study the
into your projects. The application process itself can encourage results of every competition that we enter. If the judges supply
a better articulation of a project and provide you as the photog- comments, think about them thoroughly and try to see what it
rapher, with an opportunity to consider your work more objec- was about the winning images that resonated with them. Keep
tively. an open mind about your own work and learn how to critically
Some people say “I don’t like to compete, I just take photo- evaluate it. We all have images we like. It is fine to keep them in
graphs for myself, I usually don’t agree with the judge, anyway” our catalogues and enjoy them again and again. Perhaps they
or “Competition is a waste of time, it will ruin the fun we have in have sentimental meanings for us. But unless we have commu-
our club” and so on with many other comments which I am sure nicated that to others, they are only our memories, not winning
we have all heard many times before. images.
Competitions forces you to put yourself on the line, and it is Remember that all great photographs are a result of experience
often uncomfortable to have work that you have put time and and you get that experience by taking a lot of bad photographs.
effort into being judged. We can feel nervous and anxious as we Most of them should be tossed, no amount of post processing
wait to hear if we measured up to the standard of the judges in work will make a poorly captured photograph into a winning
some way or another. one.
We must come to see the value of entering photography com- All the cameras on today’s market are capable of taking great
petitions. It is not necessarily about winning. If we choose a pictures, but it is the person behind the camera that matters
competition that holds an exhibition, or publishes the short- most. Find your passion; think about how to communicate it to
listed entries as well as the winner, you have a lot of potential to others; take your time; wait for great light; post process it so it
highlight your work to a wider audience even if you don’t win. reflects your vision and you are likely to have a winning image.
So if we want to hone in on our skills, there is probably no better Thank you for allowing me to share this with you, every time I
way than entering competitions. That is, of course, if you treat enter a competition and get feedback it opens a new light bulb
each competition as a lesson and try to learn from it. for me especially if I take cognisance of the feedback that was
It is important to find subject matter that not only interests you, given.
but speaks to you on an emotional level as well. The bottom line How to win a photography competition
is; if you don’t love your subject, neither will anyone else. • Know and follow the competition rules especially in Salons
Another point of interest is very simple; if the subject you which are also competitions.
choose is something very common, one that most people see
often, you have to show it to them in a different way. Everyone • Stick to the theme and the definitions.
has seen trees. If trees are what you love you need a unique ap- • Aim for technical brilliance, strong impact and a reaction.

proach. That may be a different perspective than what is ordi- • Keep entering competitions and salons.
narily seen; extraordinary light, a lens choice that creates a spe- • Photography contests are a great way to find out if your im-
cial effect, or post processing that makes it stand out from all ages are up to scratch.
the other photographs of trees. • By taking part in competitions, you can sometimes win big,
Another interesting point and perhaps a most important thing as we know some competitions have big prizes so keep en-
is that many great photographs are imperfect, but they all have tering. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
impact. Impact is the connection between the photographer
and the viewer. If you have ever heard a melody that took you To end, the most important thing is that we must all enjoy this
great hobby of ours, “Photography”. Compile your work into a
right back to an important time in your life, if you have ever
cried while watching a movie or a play, if you have ever finished photobook. A photobook can be a great way to display your
a good book and felt that the characters in it were your best work, and it can also be a treasured family memory of years
of fun, memorable trips, special events, things that happened
friends, you understand what it means to make a connection.
Our goal is to do the same thing with our photographs. A great that may never be repeated. Keep pressing that shutter. Keep
sense of pride when a viewer says; “That scene is so beautiful, I entering your club's monthly competitions. Keep entering Sa-
feel like I want to walk into it”. So the important thing is that you lons and it you are a member of PSSA (Photographic Society of
South Africa), go for your honours panels. Remember this con-
photographed that particular subject because it meant some-
thing to you and the viewer liked it because it meant something cept – Club Photograpy is a learning process, Salons are competi-
to him or her. tions and Honours are examinations.

10 Cape Town Photographic Society