Magnum Photos is accepting applications for new members.

This sentence is an advertisement that shows the main content of the contest. You can go to the main page of the contest and see it.

And even this contest is free. Wow 😳

It's a Magnumphotos community that anyone who likes photography to a certain extent has heard of, and it's a contest to recruit new members from the magazine. If selected, you'll be eligible for membership after a four-year curriculum.

But as I read the recruiting guidelines for the competition, I thought that this was not a competition that I could challenge. It was so high that I started to get scared, but since it was free, I decided to give it a try and put it into practice. 🤣😂😅

This very famously named photo contest is a free contest site that I mentioned on the page I wrote before, so I link that page.

https://idea0404.blogspot.com/2024/03/entry-free-top-4-photography-awards.html

4. picter.com 

You can sign up for this site and submit your work as a series.

You can see the requirements above when you apply. The requirements are simpler than you think.

When I see this black and white picture, it makes me imagine that I wish I was in that member

I heard that I can apply for at least two projects, so I wrote an application focusing on my blog post.

I tried to apply by writing only two projects to meet the minimum requirements.

I'm applying because I don't deserve to be selected for this membership, so I think I'll get experience to apply even if I know it's useless.

Next time, I will look for a more practical and challenging contest and introduce it to you.  🙏🙏

500PX.com is a very famous site for sharing photos. It's been a little less than two years since I joined and used this site, but I upload it hard and see high-quality photos of other photographers often.

While posting pictures, I often saw the stories of other photographers' pictures and liked them, but when I tried to create this story, I couldn't see the menu.

I mainly use 500px.com as an app on my iPhone 14 Pro phone. Initially, it was due to the stepwise difference in membership of this community, but I didn't find any mention of it on the site. 

At the same time, I searched through the homepage of this 500px.com and found out that I could post pictures on the website, and I could adapt the story based on the pictures I posted.

The way to create and post stories on 500PX.com is to work on your PC.

1) This is my photo menu on the 500px,com homepage.

This is a page where you can upload a picture and see it. Here you upload a picture to create and post each page. Or you can click the upload button at the top right.

2) If you look at the bottom a little bit, you can create a story with my picture on this site by clicking on the menu called 'Stories'.

3) It's a menu that makes the story of my photos, so I can write them based on the photos I posted before.

After entering the title and story content, you can post the story on the homepage by pressing the Publish button.

* Pros of Story Writing

- Expressing the order of exhibition of my work that the artist wants to express and the contents of it

- Create a separate title for a group of my photos

* Cons of Story Writing

- The menu name is Story, but the number of characters that can be written is only 500. Maybe it's because it's 500px.com 🤔🥴

- Other Internet page links are not available here. 👎

This community app is inconvenient in many ways, but the quality of the photos posted here is good, so I keep using it. 😅

The community of 500px.com was founded on Oct. 31, 2009, jointly by Oleg Gutsol and Evgeny Tchebotarev. Initially a blog for Evgeny Tchebotarev as a hobby, it developed into an automated system when he met Oleg Gutsol and became popular, becoming known as a world-famous community.

Back in 2009, due to the limitations of Internet technology advancement, the size of high-definition photos that can be uploaded to the web was 500 pixels, so it was named 500px.com at first. Since then, the volume of photos has continued to increase, but the name has been maintained.

It's been a while, but I'm unhappy with this community system. I hope this site is more concerned with improvements for users. 🙏

▶▶▶  https://500px.com/p/idea0404

 There are still many photo contests held all over the world today. However, not many companies manufacture cameras from film cameras to digital cameras. I would like to introduce a photo contest held by camera manufacturers.

1. Leica Oskar Barnack Award (LOBA)

This photo contest is held by Leica, a very well-known camera brand. LOBA expects to host its 44th photo contest this year in 2024. There has been no notice of the contest yet, and 12 series were selected as official selections in last year's contest and final screening is underway. 

The photo exhibition has shifted from a general contest to a recommendation contest recommended by experts starting in 2020. The Leica Oskar Barnack Newcomer Award for those under 30 is also available with proposals submitted by international institutions and universities.

For this reason, it is very unfortunate that the support of little-known rookies has become virtually impossible. 

https://www.leica-oskar-barnack-award.com/en/

2. Canon Photo Contest

Canon is a major camera manufacturer that competes for first and second place in camera sales worldwide. By the way, Canon is only conducting regional and irregular contests, not regular contests, so it's a bit of a shame. 

CANON PHOTOMARATHON was a contest in East Asia, the last of which was in 2019 and the New Cosmos of Photography was a canon-funded photo exhibition in Japan since 1991, but it ended in 2021.

As far as I know, the Canon Redline Challenge held at Canon Europa N.V. was held last year and will be held this year as well. However, the application period is very short at 2023.08.19-09.16, and only one work can be supported, and other camera photos can be supported, so please make a note on the calendar if you are interested.

https://www.canon.co.uk/get-involved/redline-challenge/

Here in South Korea where I live, there is a contest for college students called the Future Writers Award. In 2022, Canon Korea received applications for a week in early November, and in 2023, They received applications for the third week of August. The schedule is so uncertain.

3. Nikon Photo Contest

The Nikon Photo Contest is largely divided into two areas. Let me introduce these two.

 3-1 Nikon Photo Contest International

Nikon Photo Contest International has been selecting excellent works from photographers from all over the world since 1969. Nikon has been conducting this contest since its days as a film camera and continues to switch to a digital camera.

Every year, each contest has its own theme, and there is a separate short film category.  When applying for this contest, it is important to note that it must be taken by an individual who is not disclosed in print media or the web, and that personal blogs or SNS posts can be posted. In the past, personal blogs and SNS-posted works were not supported, but they have changed. 

Usually, other contests have a dedicated system for applications, but Nikon Contes is a little inconvenient because it has to fill out a separate document form and submit it by e-mail.

https://www.nikon-photocontest.com/en/

 3-2 Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition

This photo contest is a bit of an unusual one. Because it's a contest that only covers optical micrographs. Normal macrophotography is not supportable. I think it's like a contest to support scientists.

And the contest is managed in New York, the U.S., and you can apply online. Each person can support three pieces of artwork. The application period is 2023.09.01-2024.04.30.

https://enter.nikonsmallworld.com

4. Sony World Photography Awards

Sony, a leading camera manufacturer, holds the largest photo contest every year. I've introduced it many times in my writing, so I'll replace it with that.

https://idea0404.blogspot.com/2024/03/world-best-top-4-photography.html

5. Fujifilm Photo Contest

Fujifilm, which manufactures cameras that I usually use, continues to hold photo contests suitable for each country. I'll show you some of them and have a simple link.

* URBAN Photo Awards - Italy

* FUJIFILM MOMENT STREET PHOTO AWARDS - Częstochowa (Poland)

* GFX Challenge Program - Global

This program submits plans on how to use these products as proposals to promote GFX products, selects them, rents out actual camera systems, and shares the results. The process is conducted by dividing regions worldwide. Last year, the application period was 2023.08.14 - 2023.10.15. If selected, it is worth a try as it is a program that supports both prize money and exhibitions.

https://fujifilm-x.com/global/special/gfx-challenge-program

6. GR PHOTO FESTIVAL

The photo contest began in 2022 and has a slightly different propensity than other contests. There are no prizes or prize money, with 10 professional photographers selected as judges selecting three pictures each. Also, the submission period for last year's GR series is 2023. 10.02-12.24. Each person can apply for three works and there is no registration fee.

https://www.ricoh-imaging.com/kr/grphotofestival/2023/

7. Olympus Photo Contest

Image of the Year Award 

This Olympus Photo Contest is a contest that only covers micrographs. This contest can be seen as similar to Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition. The deadline is just around the corner. Please refer to this year's application by April 30, 2024.

8. Hasselblad Masters competition

This is a photo contest held by PHASEONE, which is famous for its medium-sized cameras and capture-one photo editing programs. 

This is a photo contest that began in 2001 and can be supported in six categories and cannot support works that have been awarded in other contests.

" 2.7.7. Images that have been awarded in other photo competitions (e.g. Sony World Photography Awards, Nikon Photo Contest, IPA, Skypixel Photo Contest, World Press Photo Contest, Trierenberg Super Circuit) and previous Hasselblad Masters are not eligible for this competition. "

You can support three pieces in one category for free. 

The last application period for the contest was 2023.12.12 - 2024.02.29.

Separately, 500px.com has received applications from the app itself. The finalist will be released on April 19th, so you'll be able to see it if you wait a little bit.

https://www.hasselblad.com/inspiration/masters/2023

So far, I've learned about photography contests held by companies that manufacture cameras around the world. I hope this has helped you a lot.

 There are so many photo contests all over the world. Every year, new photo contests appear. Some websites offer information about these numerous contests on a deadline. 

So how can your photos be selected from so many photo contests? If you search on Google, there are a lot of good tips and advice. There are also a lot of advice from photo editors and former judges of photo contests. 

I'll tell you how to prepare in detail for the photo contest based on my experience.

1. Find your favorite Photo Contests

I take pictures of flowers. So I looked for photo contests that could support flower photos. I was also able to find flower photo applications in nature and animal photo contests, and in large contests, I was also able to find photo applications with categories that could only support flower photos. 

You can also find detailed categories of scenery and street photos, and other photo contests with their own purpose.

Like this, you first figure out which categories of your favorite photos and the photos you're currently taking, and then choose two or three photo contests that fit.

2. Register your membership on the photo contest site

Once you register as a member on the photo contest website, you'll receive regular e-mails. So you can receive information about when the photo contest is held, when the deadline is, what topics the contest is held, when the actual winners' works can be viewed, and when the exhibition is.

Smithsonian magazine Annual Photo Contest

3. Read the contest rules carefully and follow them

Most photo contests have set photo image file specifications, so please follow them. The size and capacity limits of the images submitted are stipulated in the contest rules, and the scope of editing is also mentioned. It is said that there are more cases than expected that they are excluded from the screening if they do not follow this.

In addition, there are rules on whether it is possible to apply duplicately to other photo exhibitions with the same photo image or whether it is okay to post personal SNS such as Facebook, so please comply.

INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS™

4. Analyze the winning entries of the previous year

If you analyze the winning works of the previous year, you can see how you should take a picture and what kind of story you should show with that picture.

Guess the atmosphere and storytelling in the picture. Also, read the title and the author's description. It will help you a lot and you will learn a lot from them.

Sony World Photography Awards

5. Apply for an objectively noticeable photo

If you run a personal SNS or homepage, apply with photos that you liked a lot and received positive responses from others when you posted them there. I can assume that judges collect and reduce the number by looking at so many photos in an instant. The final selection is also hopeless if you say no to collect from the beginning. Therefore, it is a good idea to analyze the judges' tendencies and past works.

6. Don't worry about the prize money

The bigger and more famous competitions, the prize money cannot be won unless you are first or second in the category. 

If you are too disappointed that you didn't receive the prize money for the photo contest, your willingness to apply for the contest itself will decrease.

7. Just do it

Just give it a go. If you don't do it, you won't get anywhere near that dream.

There are so many different photo contests around the world, and among them,

1. Smithsonian magazine Annual Photo Contest

The first photo contest has been held since 2003. You may submit up to 15 photographs per category for a contest total of 90 submissions.

Grand Prize: $2,500.

Category Winners: The winners of each of the six categories will receive $500.

Readers' Choice: The winner of the online Readers’ Choice award will receive $500.

The application period is from September to November every year, and the winner is announced in March of the following year.

https://photocontest.smithsonianmag.com/photocontest/

2. Sony World Photography Awards

I've introduced the Sony competition before, and it's entry-free to submit up to three single images. The number of participants or entries in the photo contest is enormous, and there are many different categories to challenge.



https://www.worldphoto.org/

3. HIPA International Photography Award

The application period for this photo contest is the end of June every year. You can submit one entry-free photo per category.

This contest is rumored to have a lot of prize money, so please apply. The general category and the storytelling section are divided, and black and white photos can be supported, so please pay attention to it.
In addition, various and unique photo exhibitions are also being held on the photo exhibition website.





https://www.hipa.ae

4. Pictor.com

Lastly, the site I introduce is not a photo contest, but a site that helps make it easier to support the photo contest.

Uploading your personal information and photos in advance makes it easy to compete in applicable contests.

Due to the large number of collaborated photo contests, you can occasionally go to the site to check out various information. Of course, there are paid contests, but you can apply for a variety of free contests.





https://submit.picter.com



To apply for a photo contest, you must first be prepared. Next time, I'll write about what to prepare and how to plan for the photo contest.

Top four most famous photography competitions in the world

Through that process, the desire to promote one's photographs increased, and in line with this, a photography contest was created.

I also have a photo contest held in South Korea, but I've been looking for famous photo contests around the world to expand my area of knowledge.

I learned a lot of information while looking into many overseas competitions, and I am gaining a lot of experience by challenging the competition myself. So based on my experience and the information I learned, I would like to recommend my own authoritative and famous competition.

First of all, I summarized the world's four major photography competitions that I selected.

1. INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS™

The host of the contest is IPA Headquarters: International Awards Inc 1318E, 7th St., Suite 140, Los Angeles, CA, 90021 US. It's an organization centered in the United States.

https://www.photoawards.com/awards

Introducing IPA support for 2024, the main photo of the page is curiously the 2022 winning entry by South Korean artist Youngkeun Sur. It's a very proud and touching piece.

https://photoawards.com/winner/zoom.php?eid=8-1659806306-22

2. Sony World Photography Awards

The full name of SWPA awards is the Sony World Photography Awards. It has to be famous. It has the name Sony.

Sony is now a huge influence in the mirrorless market. The impact started in 2006 when Minolta sold AlphaMount to Sony. Sony took over Minolta's technology and developed its cameras like a Walkman or a PlayStation by combining their own electronics manufacturing know-how.
Sony starts a photo contest immediately after acquiring AlphaMount.
It's a great company. 😅

Sony World Photography Awards promoted photo contests for free like this. So the number of applications once exceeded 300,000. Since the year before last, I expect that the number of applications has decreased slightly because some of them have been paid. As far as I know, up to three works are free of charge.

https://www.worldphoto.org/

Wildlife Photographer of the Year was founded in 1965 by BBC Wildlife Magazine, then called Animals. The Natural History Museum joined forces in 1984 to create the competition as it is known today. The annual competition and touring exhibition are now run and owned by the Natural History Museum, London.

In wild photography, it is recognized as a world-renowned competition.

The contest adheres to the principle of protecting wildlife. So the funds for the contest are being used to promote the conservation of wildlife by the organization. So if you pay for the association's fund, you can apply for six photos per category, up to 25 photos.

I think it can be difficult even to be selected for this contest because I mainly take pictures of flowers. If you look at the selected pictures, the quality is very high and the power of a picture is huge. But because it's a long-standing and meaningful photo exhibition, I put it on my own list.

This photo exhibition has a popularity vote among the final selected photos. Please refer to the contest website.

The website where you can apply for the Wildlife Photographer of the year contest.  https://www.nhm.ac.uk/wpy/competition

The 2023 Photo of the Year page among the Wildlife photographer of the year main website. The sight of an Arctic bear sleeping on the ice looks peaceful, but it is also heartbreaking because it shows an environment where glaciers are shrinking due to global warming.

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2024/february/wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-59-peoples-choice-winner-announced.html

4. Le Prix de la Photographie de Paris ( PX3 )

The PX3 contest is a very familiar one to me. If you've read anything else on my blog, you can understand it.

It's based in Paris, France, and it's a pretty famous contest, especially in Europe.

It does not disclose the total number of applicants or entries for last year. It is expected to be a little smaller than the IPA Awards. It can be said that it is smaller than the IPA Awards, but there are quite a variety of scope and categories that can be applied and the level of competition is quite high.

Currently, as it is widely known around the world, various photographers from many countries are applying.

Link to the PX3 awards homepage  https://px3.fr/

I've applied to all four of the international photography competitions mentioned above. I won two of them. I'll tell you more about it later in another article.

Wildlife photographer of the year seems to be a difficult wall to overcome, although I have applied for it. Photographs of wild animals are the main photography competition.

Sony World Photography Awards are a photo exhibition where so many photographers apply for multiple entries that, if you don't stand out in an instant, you can say it's hard to even get a compilation. I applied last year, but honestly, I don't have much chance of getting good news in April.

The majority of the World Photo Contest allows duplicate entries. However, some photo contests do not allow duplicate submissions, so please be aware of the RULES of the photo contest and apply.

Fortunately, I understand that duplicate support is possible for the above photo exhibitions.

Next time, I will deal with another category of overseas photo contest. 🙏

* Additional writing

The 2023 winners have been announced at Sony World Photography Awards. 

I recommend that you go to the link above to the Sony Contest and appreciate the works of great winners.