The Hidden Impact of Photography Competitions

Today we discuss the troubles and pitfalls of photography competitions and discuss the impact they can have on us as photographers. We also head to the Lake District for a session of Landscape Photography.
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#landscapephotography #competitions #spongebob
0:00 Intro
0:45 Are we even good enough?
1:40 Landscape Photographer of the Year 2023
4:00 The Problem With Photography Competitions
6:35 First Photo
8:00 Does Your Style Fit? And 2nd Photo
11:30 Squarespace Ad Read
13:11 The Biggest Impact of Competitions

[@terrymartin4489]

It is amazing to me how many people enter photography competitions and when they win or don't win, their attitude changes in regards to their shots. I know for me, I was extremely frustrated after entering a competition and not even getting any kind of recognition. I spent some time in frustrated agony over it before I came to an epiphany, I don't really care what those people think of my photography. If they like it, great, if not, they can move on to someone they do like or a genre that is more suited to their tastes. We as photographers seem to put to much weight into what certain people think of our shots when in all actuality, we should be doing it because we love to share our passion with others. I tried selling my work for a while because people told me that they liked it, sadly I spent time putting myself out there when my goal was to spend time doing what I loved and sharing it with people for their enjoyment. I am back to that now and I will occasionally submit a photo to a free photography contest, if I win, great, if not, oh well.

[@Firstmanphotography]

Brilliant mindset to have. But a difficult one to reach.

[@glensumner3425]

I agree wholeheartedly and that is pretty much as I do myself nowadays . I found Competitions where creating bad feelings in me when I didn't get anywhere now I don't enter and am much happier with both my photography and observing others.

[@NathalieAnnoye]

I've been a jury member 3 times in a major Belgian competition, and the results depend on the feelings and sensibilities of each member of the jury. It's all very subjective, but it doesn't mean that the losers are bad, absolutely not. So don't be frustrated by this. Competitions are a pleasure that's part of photography, an experience, a motivation, but not essential. Stay true to yourself 🙂

[@bcleste]

I stopped entering competitions because while I can admit that the winning photos were always much better than mine, there was often garbage rated higher than my photos.

[@NathalieAnnoye]

@@bcleste I understand, a lot of people feel the same way, and that's normal since we each have our own feelings, just like the jury. I enjoyed the experience of being on the jury, but it's a heavy responsibility, wondering what people will think about our choices. Keep on loving photography.

[@daviddyephotography]

in 100% agreement, I ignore all competitions as to me they are just a way for me to give them my money and the judging is often very suspect. At the risk of sounding like a fanboy, I want to share why I your channel is my favorite. You have a very compassionate humanity about you, a "everyday guy" ness. You are deeply honest in your work, yor succeses and failures. your willingness to share your knowledge in a manner that is relatable. Then you add your deeply felt humanity in your work and outlook on life which is deeply inspiring In my younger days I worked as a policeofficer, and being so disgusted with the corruption I spent the rest of my career life as a Registered Nurse in Trauma Care. I'm now retired and trying to find my artistic soul in photography which is leading me to use many different methodologies in photography which is also a reason I enjoy your channel so much. As you always bring me peace, excitment and spur me on I owed it to you to let you know that you have an large impact on your viewers and you are not just talking to a camera inisolation. Than you for all that you do. Be safe . for me your channel should be "Life in Photography for Everybody"

[@SimonBurnCreative]

There is so much negatively and complaining going on, it's tiring. What a waste of time and productivity. My take: Don't enter competitions. Learn how to judge your own images. Simple. With all the crap going on on social media, you've handled this the best IMO. Great job!

[@BudTheChud]

I totally agree. I’m part of a camera club (that you have given talks at!) and we’re very much not a competitions club, which means everyone openly shares their techniques and inspiration. Beginners are encouraged and not belittled. And we have a lot of fun, which is the whole point. Occasionally I have partook in a local competition and while I totally understood why my photos weren’t placed, the judges often come out with some bizarre feedback. It’s hard enough taking photos that I think are good enough, without having to please strangers who will dismiss my work within a minute. I also think that if I took photos only for the purpose of entering competitions, my style would completely change and it would become a chore. But it can be interesting to enter occasionally and see what happens, I just must always wear my thickest skin.

[@Firstmanphotography]

They are the best type of clubs. I think smaller competitions, especially at some clubs, are more of an opportunity for judges to make it about themselves as they drop critique on people that really isn’t helpful.

[@iankellam6440]

Great vlog as always Adam. Whilst i partially agree with your justification for photography competitions i also feel they are a sure fire way to demoralise and alienate people who do not fit into the "fashionable" style. I am not a landscape photographer, I just enjoy your vlogs, i just enjoy taking images and really couldn't give a toss if no one likes them. Just take pictures , keep the ones you like, delete the others and revel in the process. Social media has a lot to answer for in this respect as well. Thought provoking stuff.

[@pauloviegasphotography]

You're probably my fav photographer on KZbin, not just because of your photos, which I do like, but most importantly due to your honesty, positivity, drive, and all the great energy you share with all your viewers, with yourself and ultimately with the world/Nature. I find myself at the same spot, where acceptance of my photos is welcome but not essential, the main meaning behind it all is self achieving some sort of Bliss, while enjoying the blessing of witnessing the beauty of what's (still) surrounding us in this "rock". All the best from Portugal!!!

[@alanclark9691]

That first image was quite superb. Well captured.

[@Firstmanphotography]

Thanks Alan.

[@craigwilson1604]

That old broken tree is my kinda image love that one adam 👍

[@Firstmanphotography]

Thanks Craig.

[@peterfritzphoto]

I'm reminded of Steven Pressfield's book, "Nobody Wants to Read Your Shit". It's the same with photos. Do it for the love of it; do it for money if you must, but don't do it for recognition, or else you'll never be satisfied. As always, I find myself nodding in agreement throughout your video, Adam. I REALLY love those images of the light in the valley - definitely my kind of photography, as is that lone tree in the fog. Take care, mate.

[@JosephTMyers]

glad to hear this--simple and to the point opinion on photography and essentially the nature of competition and how it warps things

[@MaliDaviesPhotography]

Great message at the end, spot on Adam, a set of cracking images from a place I love. Got me in the feels at the end, big time!

[@briansquibb999]

A great video, as usual, with an important message for all of us. Thank you so much.

[@michaelhale416]

I have never entered a competition, but I do resonate with what you are saying. Even in the day to day work we get judged by our employers and clients. I have long since dropped photography as a job, and now it is strictly for my enjoyment. My friends and family tell me that I appear to be much happier without the pressure to succeed (as defined by others). As you so eloquently state in this video, and many others, art is subjective. What I may enjoy could easily be rubbish to someone else. Thanks for another great video.

[@randyschwager2515]

As always…love hearing you have to say! You are spot on! Thanks for taking me along!

[@johnchambers6272]

What a total shambles this years competition turned out to be. Totally agree with everything you said in this video Adam. Moving forward for this competition to succeed the revenue should be shared by those commended and above, that have their images distributed. Another excellent and positive video, well done.

[@johngadsby3881]

Absolutely spot on Adam. I have also changed from submitting images in my camera club monthly competitions and also external ones to just going out and enjoying the environment and sometimes the company of fellow photographers. As you have said in many of your videos, printing images enhances the experience and is extremely satisfying.

[@Firstmanphotography]

Appreciate the comment John, thanks so much.

[@davidskinner274]

Great advice, Alex.

[@user-tm8lo2jl8z]

just bookmarked this to re-watch half a dozen times, both because I enjoyed the photography content, and also because I need to hit pause and take notes on so so so sooooo many amazing key points you shared.. THANK YOU !!

[@markwaddington6402]

Very good thoughts Adam. Doing what makes you happy, enjoyment, appreciation of beauty. Good place to be.

[@nielsthye8880]

You are so right in every word.

[@bassaud3336]

The only "landscape" ILPOTY photo competition that I've seen the results- the winners were an abstract photo, an average B+W photo and a picture of a scuba diver xD

[@njs12706]

Totally agree. Well said Adam

[@davidherrington5735]

Adam I couldn't agree more. As a cinematographer I always worked as a freelance individual, but the producers and directors with whom I worked would change the character of the work I did for them oftentimes creating disappointment for me. On one occasion a scene was changed from night to day during the post process because we had used a green screen set up. Keep up the good work.

[@samuelcarr3209]

Well said! Your video gets to the heart of photography competitions and acceptance. Good competitions at the local level do make you get better, especially early on and if the judges offer constructive criticism. Learn by listening, observing and experimenting. But then the fork in the road where you decide if your photographs are for others or yourself, each path has advantages. Some of our images bring a strong emotional response to us, the maker, because it brings us back to when we took the image; our feelings and memories get intertwined with the image. The best photos are the ones that inspire a sense of AWE to others and bring them to where we are, or were. It is difficult because we all have different life experiences that will affect our emotions. Someone else who loves landscapes may connect to your landscape image, but will rarely connect with the same emotion of a sporting event photo, even if judges consider the sporting image superior on a technical level. I have shot for others and enjoy the accolades of winning competitions. Sometimes I'm bewildered as to why one image has greater impact on judges, and others, than one that I'm more in love with. Am I too emotionally connected with the memories of time, space and emotion that I can't convey properly. Probably. Having others appreciated my images is good for the soul....however at the end of the day it is meaningless if I'm not connected to the image.

[@ray_wilton]

I love your sum-up here. The only comps I do are the ones on a small forum, just for fun and with genuine feedback from peers in the forum. I have no pretensions about being able to win comps. But the people I know like my images, and that is reward enough for me. I just love using cameras, especially old ones.

[@janinacooper4199]

Thank you for this video and for talking about photo competitions, but also for saying that where people live matters for photo opportunities, this seems to be a very unpopular statement. We had to move from Washington State in the Pacific Northwest to Mississippi in 2021. That was shortly after I finally saved up enough to be able to buy my first dslr and I loved shooting the moody mountain-/ seascapes and wildlife in the north for a few months. Essentially leaving one of the most beautiful and inspiring places with ample opportunity for amazing photos was tough, but we didn’t have a choice in the matter and I was determined to make the best of the move and stay positive. After all, there is a popular saying that there are photos anywhere, you just have to go find them. I was trying really hard for a whole year, to find things that I felt passionate about and I wanted to photograph, but realized that I was feeling more miserable and depressed as time went on. No matter how hard I tried, Mississippi was completely uninspiring to me and I just had to admit that to myself. Finally I have come to terms with it and get to mourn the loss of my magical mossy and misty landscapes in the Puget Sound area and have no more false expectations for Mississippi.

[@keithj30]

Totally agree with you re the IP of photographers who enter and the images are used for the financial benefit of the competition

[@iandavis1355]

Congrats on the beauty of a photo at 7:46. Your video comes at an interesting time. I've just taken a break from working on my calendar (yes, it's late) and your video popped up on my feed. So over a bowl of chili, I'm watching and listening to your nuggets of wisdom. I've been seeing ads to submit photos for various "international" photo competitions but, at best, I've been very leery of paying money and submitting any hi-res work to some entity I'm not familiar with (what an opportunity for nefarious, competition organizers to scoop free stock photos). I've entered a few locally (these are legit) and was told (and also discovered) that, in order to do well, you need to find out all about the judges: We all have our biases and we need to find out the judges'. Duh? If that's the case, are we biasing and submitting our work primarily for the judges' validation or are we trying to get recognition for whatever work we pursue? Like you, my photos may not be a "top 40", pop music equivalent. And what about the 1000lb gorilla in the (photography) room . . . AI? How will competition organizers ever sort this one out. My work is in a very small gallery in an equally small village. I manage to get into the occasional exhibit, and I do sell some prints and cards, but these activities don't pay the bills. But I plod on. Thanks for this video, Adam.

[@davidcoombs3329]

Fabulous tree. Great video.

[@JohnPaul-ii]

Pity there was no view from the top of the fells, wasn’t a total loss and you can’t have everything. I never bother entering any photo competitions for the very reasons you mentioned throughout this video. Thanks for sharing again Adam. Stay safe 🇦🇺

[@garycope5332]

Hi Adam, Thank you for another thought-provoking subject for a photography video. I find your musings on these sorts of topics often echo my own ideas, which is nice. I entered a photography competition after encouragement from a few of my friends and was gratified to receive an award for my efforts. I didn't win, but the fact that the judges liked my entry enough to give it an honorable mention felt good. I must say however, if not for the suggestions of my friends, I would not even have considered a competition. I am very happy with the way I display my photography now, through Facebook and Instagram. I enjoy it when someone takes the time to comment or like the photo, but even if they didn't, I get enough enjoyment from the process of taking the photo, being in the environment and the fact that I have used photography to provide a means to improve the state of my mental health. Full credit to those who enter these things and I sometimes buy the book to gain inspiration for my own photography, but that's as far as it will ever go for me. It's just not why I picked up a camera all those years ago. Cheers, and keep up the good work.

[@lightsandtones]

Fantastic video Adam! Inspiring, motivational and truly comes from your heart. That's why we're doing landscape photography. Definitely resonated with me. A great one again!

[@Firstmanphotography]

Thanks mate. Much appreciated.

[@TomMasonPhoto]

Couldn't agree more Adam with your thoughts on the competitions, I think far too often too much weight is put on competitions anyway in regards to "making photographers". More transparent judging would be fantastic on many of the competitions, as well as the revenue sharing models as you talk about, in order for them to be a fair rewards for the high level of work people put in with their crafted images that often have taken years of hard work! Excellent stuff as always. Cheers, Tom

[@radcoimbatore]

Well said Buddy.

[@davidgilmore2565]

Without a doubt, the best photography video I've seen this year. All the attention paid to gear and technique pales when you consider the "why" we make images. You speak from the heart with truth and conviction. I cannot commend you enough for this inspiring and candid viewpoint so eloquently presented. Timely for me as I enter into an art festival participating as a juror in the photography section of the event. Thank you for this. I really appreciate it. D

[@Firstmanphotography]

Wow, thank you so much David.

[@whafrog]

Appreciate your take on the competitions, most of what I'm interested in shooting wouldn't be of interest. Also, funny that you mention geography. I'm from Canada (right in the middle), but watch a lot of UK photographers. I recently spent a month in the UK walking Hadrian's Wall and spending some time in the Lake District, York, and Isle of Wight...and honestly, I never had an easier time finding compositions! Your landscapes are so clean (artificial really, thanks to all those sheep), with leading lines abounding, isolated subjects everywhere, and direct access to elevation to change the point of view, I felt like I was in a playground. No wonder photography in the UK is so popular! Now, I didn't always get the light I wanted, but all the other tools were readily available. It does mean that fewer central Canadian compositions are going to be presented in a competition...

[@Firstmanphotography]

Yes. The smaller size of northern England and abundance of interesting landscapes make it very lucrative for capturing nice photos. I’d love to spend some time in Canada though, especially in winter.

[@admay316]

Photography is so subjective. I would love to see the judges of an elite competition make their decisions covertly, and then have judges from other elite competitions judge the same photos. I suspect they would never select the same photos as winners.

[@washingtonradio]

I'm ambivalent towards photo contests as many are local affairs that no one really cares about. Others do care a cachet about them in the photography community. But I wonder how many people really care if the photographer won a competition versus whether they like the photographer's work. These are very important distinctions. The real value of a competition would be if the judges gave feedback about each photo so you know what they saw and like/disliked about it.

[@keithpinn152]

Hi Adam: Thank you for creating and sharing this video. I am pleased to hear that Charlie has addressed some of the issues arising from this year’s LPOTY awards and I am confident that he will make the necessary changes next year. I feel for those creators that worked hard on their images this past year and were acknowledged accordingly. It was only too bad that they hadn’t been given the opportunity to enjoy their success at the same time as everyone else. I think your suggestion about a revenue sharing scheme is very important to bring continued credibility to the competition. Keep well . . . Keith (Canada)

[@Firstmanphotography]

I think it would be very difficult for LPOTY to switch to a revenue sharing model.

[@mikebartow9415]

I take photos for myself because I enjoy it. Overall I don’t care what others think, but inside all,of us there is a small desire that someone else will appreciate them. Crossing into the what others think foremost brings disaster.

[@wimscheenen3535]

Very nice video. I recognize a lot of the points you raise, also the Netherlands is not known for great vistas. I like your photo of the dead tree(s) and for me I think we need competitions for these photos too. They probably exist, but I don’t know of them.

[@chrisclarke3443]

Adam , the last point that you make is the most important and I think that sometimes people get dragged along the well trodden photography journey without consciously thinking - is this what I want to do? Camera clubs are competition after competition and “ please support your club by entering the latest ….etc etc “ . That was why I stopped going

[@AmorLucisPhotography]

The problem with photography competitions really lies with the damage that they can do to self-esteem if we discover that the judges didn't like what we submitted, leading to us feeling demoralized, discouraged, and down on our photography. But the only judgment that really matters is our own - do we love our image. But that is hard to remember because we like it if the things that mean something to ourselves are valued by others. We are social beings, and short of being narcisist, the judgments of others inevitably mean something to us. There is no solution to this, really, except to remember that opinions are like a-holes - everyone has one and everything thinks that theirs doesn't stink. No one is in a position to tell you what an image means to you, or how much you love it. Photograph what you love, follow your vision, - share it with the world. Enter competitions if you want, but never forget that you are the only true judge of your own work.

[@paulcookphotography]

Great video and thoughts Adam. For me personally, I can't be bothered with photography contests and competitions. Photography to me is not a competition and I certainly don't need anyone to stroke my ego. Waste of time, effort, and money in my opinion and I refuse to take part in something that might damage my love for photography. But really enjoyed the video and loved the image at 11:10!

[@RickCarroll-Canada]

Hey Adam... Hi from Canada. Your 1st shot was great. I agree with what you say about comepetitions. I've won a few but at the end of the day, it cost me. I never gained anything from it. All the best.

[@martinhommel9967]

Hi Adam, this is the 2nd video I have watched about this competition. Generally speaking I feel competions distort the motive for why people engage in any kind of activity. Just do what you like doing for the sake of it. Nice pictures

[@klaus.bernhard]

yes, these are very thoughtful thoughts that I really like, kind regards, Klaus 

[@CostaMesaPhotography]

I'd love to see you do a collab with Thomas Heaton... And regarding competitions in terms of fairness/equity to the photographer's IP/copyright, I completely agree, but there's another point to be made. By way of example, YOU (or anyone) could start a competition, charge $10 entry per image, and offer an impressive plaque, trophy, ribbon, certificate, and cash award...say $1000. You only need 100 people to enter to break even...anything over 100 makes you money. And unlike most competitions, you guarantee that the photographer retains 100% of their IP/copyright and that their image will not be used anywhere with out their express permission...the fact is you don't have to use it, that's not your objective. Your objective is simply to make money from the entry fees. Cynical? You bet. But how many competitions do you see out there, many of which aren't really that prestigious. So, for the reasons YOU stated, and based on the greed example i provided, I don't think competitions are something that people should seek out (unless their ego is that fragile or they feel compelled to have a "resume" with awards on it...)

[@mikefoster6018]

You're great. Re the topic, I know less about landscape but I do think that a lot of street photographers end up squandering their skills trying to fuel Instagram with a constant factory line of soulless images. It feels like a trap that puts a glass ceiling over them, probably just because of the pressure of constantly needing to produce safe, acceptable content.

[@QuicknStraight]

It's an important lesson to learn in life: it doesn't matter what other people think of your work, unless they're hiring you on commission, if you enjoy creating it and feel satisfaction with the finished article. And the photographer should most certainly be recompensed for their work by the publisher. After all, without the photographers' work, there would be no book to publish

[@robertwhitemoto]

New lens ?? and camera... crack'n photos!! Thanks for this Adam!

[@fredgreen9578]

Nice video Adam.

[@Firstmanphotography]

Thanks Fred. Appreciate it.

[@vandinglewop]

Hi Adam. Loving your videos recently. Just wondered what gloves you have? I have some that have mitten cover over the fingers but the thumb is always covered so I struggle with some back buttons. Thanks

[@Firstmanphotography]

Ha, they are very cheap, maybe about £10 when new. They are the best gloves Ive ever had though. Not waterproof but made of fleece so they are warm and dry quickly. The mitten cover and hole for your thumb to squeeze through make them perfect for photography. I think they are Lowe Apline. I've looked to buy more but can never find them. I'll be gutted if I lose these ones.

[@vandinglewop]

Ah that's annoying. I've been looking for something just like it for a while and can't seem to get any. After a little google work it seems they are called Lowe-alpine Convert Mitten Glove which don't exist for sale anywhere :( Oh well, back to searching, thanks.@@Firstmanphotography

[@nevvanclarke9225]

I also don't like how they retain the rights to your image you need to read the fine print all of these competitions are one big scam and you can fall for winning a competition is not gonna get you anywhere in your photography its consistency and building up a good client based that gets you somewhere not winning a 1 off competition .... I sold 34 framed prints here and 423 calendars... Plus I hope of other commercial workers well that's how you get somewhere not winning a one-off competition. Because you can judge a competition and it's just a subjective decision

[@keithorr9098]

Hi Adam. I am interested to hear what your thoughts are regarding photography clubs , they too have competitions (internal and external) , do you see these as being any different ?

[@wednesdaythroughthelens830]

Be content with yourself and your images 👍and as the old saying goes practice makes perfect … well it helps with the journey. I love the football version by Messi - the more I practice the luckier I get…..

[@wildbillgreen]

I have a hard enough time competing with myself😊

[@TonyHogrefe]

I love "minimalist" landscapes. The tree at 11:11 is stunning. I paused the video and just....stared at it for several minutes. I'm drawn to dead trees like this and have made many similar lone tree photographs. None as lovely as this. If you release it as a print, I want it.

[@Firstmanphotography]

Hi Tony, I got your email too, I'll reply asap.

[@davidskinner274]

What a good idea, Alex. For the artist, a win win. let's see if it gets taken up. What are your thoughts on the NLPA?

[@desgardner7169]

Something went really wrong with this year's LPOTY, Charlie came out and apologised.....end of story! So forget it and move on....I used to love competitions, I don't enter now (its a age thing) I never managed to get anywhere with LPOTY probably because I never entered! but I was very successful with many others in Photo mags! I think they are good to enter and even if you get close to winning you have done well. The hardest part of competitions is getting up off your bum and entering which includes me of course! .... Thank you Adam for this weeks topic....

[@laurelb8372]

Beautiful image. Do you think the f2.8 24-70 is best focal range/lens for landscape?

[@DaveBowman]

Having been fortunate enough to be recognised in a number of photography competitions (inc the LPoTY), I gave up on them about 7 years ago. I didn't like the way things were heading with them, and many of them were just out to make a profit on the backs of hard-working photographers. I'm not saying that's the case with all of them, but one bad experience in particular, with what was a well-known competition and publication at the time, pretty much put me off for life. As long as I'm happy with what I produce, and my customers like it, that's all that matters.

[@sexysilversurfer]

Ha ha, just a few days ago I was finally thinking to actually enter a photo competition run by a UK photo retailer and then I see this.

[@Firstmanphotography]

This was not designed to put people off entering. I just wanted to highlight the pros and the cons so people can make an informed choice.

[@sexysilversurfer]

@@Firstmanphotography yes, understood.

[@jimbruton9482]

First off, great video and topics Adam! As an amateur/enthusiastic hobbyist photographer, I don't sell or generate income from my photos or prints. I do it for shear pleasure. I hate photography contests because of some of the issues you mentioned. When I saw an image I submitted in a contest used some time afterwards and it claimed to be the work of someone else you could imagine my disgust. I thought in the future only submitting images with a watermark but sometimes that is not allowed. I just won't participate again. The next potentially huge issue with contests will be photos that have been enhanced by AI. By the way, a macro image of that moss in the early part of your video would be a good photo.

[@Firstmanphotography]

That’s shocking what happened with your image. Good point about Ai. Hadn’t particularly considered that one in regards to competitions.

[@paulbarnard5267]

Not everyone enters competitions for the publicity and financial rewards. I enter local competitions as they give me an objective and a ‘reason’ to get out and take photos. I realise it’s different if photography is your livelihood but there are probably more amateurs than professionals in the world.

[@Firstmanphotography]

Yes this is very true and have heard something similar many times before. I probably didn’t focus on why people enter competitions as much as I should have in this video.

[@CostaMesaPhotography]

@@Firstmanphotography I suspect if you asked 100 photographers why they enter competitions, you might get nearly as many answers, many of which might be completely reasonable and understandable. To need a competition as a motivating factor to get out and photograph though? Do you really need that to motivate you? If so, then I guess it's better than nothing, but geez, hopefully the simple act of photographing, processing, printing, sharing, would be enough motivation... IMHO

[@paulbarnard5267]

@@CostaMesaPhotography different horses for different courses. After sixty years of photography having an objective set that you can work towards works great for me. I tend to get a bit locked in to grand landscapes if left to myself. One of the topics in the last competition I entered was “Rust”. Not a subject I would normally focus on but I had a great time researching where I might find some interesting rusting subjects. I took long walks on the off chance of finding something and day trips to the coast to look for rusting fishing boats. I got a second place in that one with a tight cropped image of some rusting chains.

Very nice weather… I mean nice video! I'm 100% agree with everything you said. But don't you think that Photo competition can be good if you do it in order to push yourself, only for that purpose an not for any kind of other price?

[@northstarcreative]

I won a regional in national photography competition when I was first starting out and it was on bbc news etc I found the whole thing was kind of meaningless and a very good marketing opportunity for the sponsor. The awards ceremony was awkward and some of the judges were not even aware of the context of some of the work submitted eg one was of a giant dandelion sculpture and the judge thought it was a real dandelion and was quoted saying - that they are amazed at how they achieved the composition. The photographer who took it was amazed it had been chosen and she was drinking champagne at an awards ceremony! 😂😂

[@Firstmanphotography]

Ha! that example pretty much sums it up

[@M.Montgomery]

For me competition (definition below) has no place in how I practice and view the art of photography. Photography is my way to express myself artistically and document my life and world around me as I see it. I do enjoy sharing (no social media) and selling my photography on a limited scale but I always create photographs for myself not for other people. And please do not get me wrong, I love competition in other areas of my personal and professional life. Competition definition: 1. The activity or condition of striving to gain or win something by defeating or establishing superiority over others. 2. A rivalry where two or more parties strive for a common goal which cannot be shared: where one's gain is the other's loss.

[@dcurleyifa]

Great vid and you are right the whole competition model is a con with organisers taking advantage of photographers on the off chance that winners and commended will have their profile raised. The worst one I think is the BBC Countryfile calendar as they take ownership of all shortlisted photos and use the photos not just for the calendar but also the magazine and other uses without any payment of the photographers. The money that BBC make off the back of this comp is unfair as not much goes to charity

[@kevins8575]

I can hardly believe that I will ever enter a photography contest.

[@uncledavesplace]

There is a theme here. I have a classic Porsche that seldom wins anything at car shows (and probably shouldn't). Yet they charge me to enter my car but not the spectators. Pretty dumb. My response is to limit myself to shows that benefit charities.

[@huwalban]

To my mind the apology was too late. The competition knew that there was a serious issue before the awards evening, and yet (it would appear) they did nothing. If it had been me, I'd have apologised as soon as possible and promised a full investigation, and a follow up message. It appears that the hand was forced due to photographers like Andy Gray and Stewart McGlennon going public with their displeasure at the way they were treated. I don't know Charlie and I hope that I am wrong, but the trust in the competition has been wobbling for a number of years and I fear that this will be the last LPOTY - at least for a while.

[@andrewsimpson5436]

First up I love those first 2 images, the light and texture in the first and the balance and stillness with the trees! On the LPOTY issue, is it Charlie or one of the team who posted the statement? Does Charlie have anything to do with it or is he just a figurehead? Don't get me wrong, having talked with him twice he is a charming gent who just loves photography. I have heard of people who get £ for commercial sales of photos from LPOTY and had work put directly to them by LPOTY so I don't think it's the money grab people think it is. I also don't have an issue with a Comp organizer make a reasonable sum, they are taking a risk in being able to cover their costs so deserve some reward. For many of the entrants the "cachet" that used to be gained from getting in the book was worth more than money. All of that said, the entrants deserve to have a well run competition! There have been rumblings before, the mistakes this year are ridiculous and the response has been very slow and very dismissive to those who have been mistreated. Hopefully things will be addressed but I've no idea how it will affect the next year's entry.

[@Twobarpsi]

I am still waiting to enter my first photo competition. I'm not really a fan of them, because opinions are very subjective.

[@composedlight6850]

I think LPOTY has had its day.

[@raybeaumont7670]

Who is to say that one photo is better than another? Eyes of the beholder? So why produce photos that are made to please someone else - unless they are paying for the results?

[@colintraveller]

You must have Very deep pockets to afford that 3 grand Lense ..

[@Firstmanphotography]

Lol. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I’m borrowing it for a project with Canon.

[@scotty4418]

Based on what I've read recently Adam, I think there is perhaps a need to reset the relationship between participants and organisers at UKLPOTY and your suggestion of an income based model that is more proportionately spread across the field would be one way to contribute to that reset. Lovely images too this week and your thoughts about a positive mindset was a good message as well

[@Firstmanphotography]

Thanks mate. I think it would be very difficult for them to switch to a revenue sharing model. Seems like something that would have to be built in from the ground up.

[@jeffstephens5266]

I can’t stand the BS that gets written to photos in a competition. If the image needs explaining to the n’th degree then the photo doesn’t work

[@Firstmanphotography]

I usually enjoy the back story, but I agree an image should be able to stand alone.

[@chromagraphphotoart]

OK, so I'm going to be the irritating one that highlights your incorrect identification of a Lichen as Moss... I find it odd when people who like you spend a lot of time in the landscape don't even know basic IDs of organisms. That said, Thomas Heaton is as bad, but Adam Gibbs is very good and I think knowing what things are does enhance the experience. Otherwise, complete agreement on the competitions thing. It's even worse at Camera Club level. And there are the popularity contests on social media where clearly AI generated images, or ridiculously over-processed shots that look radioactive get 1000s of like.

[@sammcloughlin9291]

1st