Read the fine print before entering photo contests!

Photo contests have been out there as long as there have been cameras. We photographers are a strange breed in that we crave recognition for our work. Contests are just one way we get that validation. While it’s true that photo contests are a great way to compare your work with other photographers, it has also, sadly, become a source of income and rights-grabbing for the contest promoters. Protect your work and read the contest rules CLOSELY. Too many contests require you to hand over the rights to your work regardless of whether you win or not…in addition to paying an entry fee! Don’t get me wrong, there are still plenty of reputable contests out there for pro and amateur shooters alike. Protect yourself and read the contest rules and disclaimers thoroughly before plunking down your money and losing the rights to your own photos. If you want validation and critiques of your work, you can always post your work on Flickr or any of the other photo sharing sites on the Internet — where opinions are free.

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