Do people still care about Photography Competitions?

[AliciaUnderwater]

Forgive me for asking but, I'm curious: With the amount of photographers out there and the number of contests / competitions that are around, do you find that you care about who won what in photo competitions these days? Several years ago, I used to enter my imagery in a few comps (and even won gold once!) but I have found that I've recently lacked motivation to participate in such things these days. Am I alone? Do you feel the competitions provide great opportunities and exposure like they used to? 

Thoughts?

[CaolIla]

For me, competitions are not very important.
My main problem is the judges. I participated in a competition in 2022 for the Paris Diving Show.

I didn't win anything but that's not the problem. It is in the results, the winners won but when I see the results it was not deserved.  

I'm not the only one to say this...  There were so many photos that were significantly better. The criteria for designating the winners are I think other than the photos.

This disgusts me deeply, it's not honest

[Dave_Hicks]

I am at once intrigued by the possibility of entering competitions and put off to an even greater degree. 

 

I can echo the sentiment of Caolla above, but it goes beyond that for me. I take pictures for fun, to share, and to challenge myself to learn and explore wildlife photography. Once you start entered pictures into contests, it becomes about competition, status, and seeking the approval of others. It starts to feel too much like work, and I'm retired. I don't want to compete like that anymore and risk sucking all of the joy out of the process based on the inscrutable judgement of others. Been there and done that. 

[CaolIla]

Thank you @Dave_Hicks for your post.

For me, photography is a pleasure just like sharing.
Competitions are competition and personally I don't want them anymore.

My photos like it or not... Those who enjoy them have a great time watching them, sometimes we discuss them. the others and although they go their way, I don't care.

[Nando Diver]

Underwater Video & Photography competitions (at least in my country) have good sponsorship from government to promote marine life, tourism, environment, and its common the presence of Regional and National television broadcast.

Last couple years attracted huge number of international filmmakers and photographers.

 

The price is a steal

example for 2025 : 420€ per person

Hotel 4 stars for 8 days all inclusive in 2x island Paradises 

Free transfers airport hotel

Free transfers hotel to diving sites

Free Ferry transfer to another island.

8 x dives  with nitrox (4 days) 

Water temp 22C to 24C

 

Not included:

flights

Training sessions 30€ each (nitrox) 

 

Anyone with action camera/smartphone can participate in that specific category.

Financially is very attractive.

Had my first experience last year, and im going again in 2025.

This year has big bonus, that is diving in two separate islands (Madeira & Porto Santo) 

 

I attach the program in Portuguese ( this its very recent) , but you can use this contact page to get  the English version. 

 

https://www.instagram.com/madeiraunderwater/

 

https://www.madeiraunderwater.com/info/contato/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IV Madeira Underwater Photo and Video Open_2025.pdf

Edited January 25 by Nando Diver

[SwiftFF5]

Frankly, to me, the idea of the art of videography (I only do video) and competitions are inherently at odds.  I have no interest in such competition and really don't even look at them, except as photos to see.  I often prefer some of the runner-ups to the actual award winners.

[bvanant]

We were recently in Lembeh with a group that were only interested in competitions. Show them a hairy frogfish and they swim away trying to find a "unique" view of something even more unusual.  Before that we were in Edinburgh and saw the World Wildlife results. To me the Judges picks were terrible but the viewer's choices were much more interesting. Guess that means that I really don't understand "art" (not that I want to)

Bill