? With 35,000+ entries each month, we keep busy. The following answers to frequently asked questions should help you better understand how this fun photography contest works. With these answers, you can greatly increase your chances of winning by learning the ropes before you enter the photo contest.
By the way, if you have questions specifically about the Cash Photo Contest, check these:
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What are the Editor's Picks?
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The "Editor's Picks" are simply contest entries that have progressed from Round 1 of the contest judging. These images are found to be interesting, eye-catching or beautiful to the judges. In the past, if you wanted to find new photos for discussion, you could go to "New Arrivals" or "Current Contest Entries". The problem with that, though, is that this group is global and unedited - everything being uploaded to BetterPhoto. The Editor's Picks photo gallery gives you a selection of photos that will continue to the next round of judging.
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When are the Editor's Picks updated?
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They are usually updated weekly. But, sometimes we do allow our staff to go on vacation. :) So if there is an interruption in the posting of Editor's Picks, it does not mean that they are no longer being selected... just that some members of our small judging team are being allowed out of their "cave" to take a break or complete other tasks.
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Is there a set number of Editor's Picks selected each month or is this number variable?
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The number of Editor's Picks is variable and is affected by the number of overall entries in the contest as well as other judging factors.
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Why are none of my photos being selected as Editor's Picks?
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With 35,000+ entries each month, the contest is highly competitive! Unfortunately, not all photos can be chosen. In addition, keep in mind that our judges rotate, so that can affect the selection process too.
Still, we can certainly understand how disappointing it can be when your efforts aren't rewarded. That's why we encourage BetterPhoto members to also get involved in our other great features, such as photo sharing in an online gallery and participating in a BetterPhoto Club.
We encourage you to keep your thoughts focused on the fun aspects of photography and the BetterPhoto's free contest. And hang in there!
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Why are there no new Editor's Picks showing today?
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While it would be nice if judging occurred every single day, that's simply not possible due to a variety of factors - such as:
- Our busy seasons (such as holidays or the start of classes)
- Times when the BetterPhoto team is short-staffed (due to vacations, illness, etc.)
- Time of day (we're on Pacific time here and do not usually judge photos during the evenings or weekends).
Still, we definitely understand how you are anxious to see the results of the Editor's First Picks. While waiting for the results, we encourage you to explore the many other fun activities at BetterPhoto. Here are some suggestions:
These activities are not only fun, they can be excellent learning experiences too.
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Can you enter the same image in the Free Contest as well as the Cash Photo Contest in the same month?
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You can, but we don't recommend it. If your photo places as a winner in the Free Photo Contest, it will be disqualified in the Cash Photo Contest. For this reason, we recommend that you select a contest and enter each photo exclusively into that particular contest.
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Can you enter the same image twice if you make corrections or changes to the original entry?
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Yes, you can resubmit images that you've enhanced or improved. What's more, you can re-submit an entry even if you have not made changes to the original. If you believe your photo was overlooked by the judges, you can resubmit it in a future month.
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Why are the same people chosen each month for finalists and winners?
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It may seem like the same names come up again and again as contest finalists and winners. The contest is completely honest and fair. What's more it has been designed to be as objective as possible (considering the appreciation of photography is intrinsically a subjective thing). Contestant names are not displayed during the judging process so, unless the photographer chooses to mark their submission with a visible copyright mark, the judges do not see member names as they judge. (And they strive to ignore such watermarks when they are present).
Here are a few possible reasons why some photographers may earn multiple wins in the contest:
- They rigorously study the photography contest guidelines and Terms and Conditions. These blueprints give contestants very clear indications of the qualities that the judges look for in each photo.
- They study previous photography contest winners and photo contest finalists, looking more for characteristics than for particular subjects. If you choose to shoot what are called "mature" subjects - those that have been photographed excessively by other photographers - know that your own interpretation will need to be especially unique and interesting, since the competition is higher for popular subjects. Whether you shoot relatively mature subjects (deer, your cat, flowers, sunsets) or new, immature subjects (Big Foot, the Loch Ness Monster), we recommend that you use these previous contest winning photos both for inspiration and education.
- They shoot a lot - often and pressing themselves to try new creative subjects and locations.
- They show their favorite photos to others and ask for comments. This is a great way to ensure positive feelings about a photo are less subjective and more objective. You can use the BetterPhoto forum and photography discussion features for this purpose.
- They selectively enter only their best photos.
- They strive for continual improvement - reading books and magazine articles by favorite photographers, attending seminars and on-location photography workshops, and participating in online photography courses.
- If at first they don't succeed, they try and try again.
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Why can't I find my image in the contest?
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When you enter an image in the contest using the "Enter into Contest" link, the image is placed in order of the photo ID#. Therefore, the photo is placed further back in the contest pages. (By the way, you can see the photoID of any photo by hovering over the image and looking in the status bar, or by clicking on an image and looking in the URL in the Location field of your browser.)
You can double check on your entry by signing in to your Member Center and clicking on the "Better Photos" tab and then clicking on the "Current Contest Entries" link on the left. Be sure to refresh the page to view the entries. This page will help you confirm that your photos have been successfully entered into the contest.
Also if you own a Pro or Deluxe BetterPholio photographer's Website, make sure that your contest images are set to a "Public" viewing status rather than "Private". This is managed in the Photo Manager section of your Deluxe Update Center.
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Which category would be best for my entry?
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For more great information, please visit our page on how to categorize your photo in the photo contest.
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How can I enter the contest using an existing image?
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You can enter an existing image into the contest by using the "Enter into Contest" link in your Member Center > Edit Photos link. When you enter an image in the contest using the "Enter into Contest" link, the image is placed in order of the photo ID#. Therefore, the photo is placed further back in the contest pages.
You can double check on your entry by signing in to your Member Center and clicking on the "Current Contest Entries" link in the "Better Photos" tab. Be sure to refresh the page to view the entry.
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When and where is the monthly theme posted?
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You will find the current monthly theme posted on our main photography contest page and on this page devoted to past and present photography contest themes.
Remember that this theme only applies to one of the ten photo categories - the "Monthly Theme" category.
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I see digitally manipulated photos in the contest - is this okay?
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Yes, understanding that many images are optimized in a program like Adobe Photoshop, we allow digital manipulated photos in other categories. Images have been enhanced and/or completely changed in the darkroom, long before Photoshop was developed. The only difference is that, with Photoshop, image enhancement is much more accessible. We recommend learning Photoshop or a similar digital image-editing program to be able to make your images look their best. As mentioned, manipulated images can be entered into any category. The "Digital Darkroom" category is for photos where the main "value" or meaning of the photo is the digital manipulation itself. For expert help and training on Photoshop, enroll in one of our classes on software and Photoshop.
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Do you offer phone support for the contest?
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As the photography contest is a free service, BetterPhoto does not offer phone support for the free contest. You can email our support team whenever you need help, and we will assist you as soon as we can.
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Do I need to purchase a BetterPholio™ photo gallery or Web site - or take an online photo class - in order to win the contest?
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By no means is it necessary to have purchased a BetterPhoto product to win in the contest. Many of the contest winners have won in previous contests and, therefore, have years of BetterPholio™ photo galleries or Web sites added to their subscriptions. During the judging process, the judges do not see the names of the photographers. Therefore, they would not know whether or not a photographer had purchased any products.
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Why don't I ever win the photography contest?
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Please don't allow yourself to become discouraged by the contest. The contest is meant to be in the spirit of inspiring and educating photographers of all levels. Also, you need to keep in mind that you are entering a contest with many thousands of entries each month.
Here are a couple of suggestions that may help:
- Ask other BetterPhoto members for their opinion of your images. In order to get more people commenting on your images, visit the photo galleries belonging to other members and offer comments on their work. This often results in reciprocal discussion of your own photos.
- Visit the photography contest guidelines.
Remember BetterPhoto is about learning and inspiration, built by an encouraging and helpful community of photography enthusiasts. If you are improving or creating photos that work, you're a winner!
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When will we see the contest winners announced?
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The winners are posted by the end of the following month.
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How can I help support the contest and BetterPhoto?
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- Give others at BetterPhoto thoughtful and constructive critiques. Find other photos that spark your imagination or strike you as interesting and comment. This is an especially effective technique if you want to get feedback on your own photos. The more constructive comments you give, the more you get!
- Be supportive, thoughtful, and considerate in the forums. Before you submit any response in the Q&A or Photo Discussion forums, ask yourself: "Is this true?" "Is this fair?" "Is this impersonal and objective?" If you think some unhelpful emotional reaction is motivating you, sleep on it before submitting your answer. Read your entry again in the morning. After you've revised your entry to the point of where you're sure it's supportive, constructive, balanced, truthful, and fair, then submit it. If you're feeling bad about the contest, remember that this contest is intended to be fun. As a BetterPhoto member recently advised, shoot for yourself and your own enjoyment instead of photographing with the contest in mind. Use the contest as a fun afterthought... and if you place as a finalist or win, great! But if not, keep having fun with your photography and keep entering the contest... just for fun.
- If you're interested in learning photography, take a photography class here at BetterPhoto - online!
- Do you know someone else interested in learning or sharing their passion for photography? Tell them about BetterPhoto.
- Do you have a Web site or blog? Link to BetterPhoto or use one of the graphic banners on this page.
- Don't have a Web site? Join the photo sharing fun.
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