| The digital revolution has made amateur photography | | | | important to remember that photography is an |
| more popular than ever before. The days of Fuji film | | | | extremely competitive field and that you will be up |
| and print processing have been replaced with talk of | | | | against professionals. Therefore, don't get |
| mega-pixels and memory cards. With hundreds of | | | | disheartened if your shots aren't accepted at first - |
| cheap digital cameras on the market, it's possible for | | | | just keep on shooting and continue submitting; in the |
| anyone with a good eye for photography yet little | | | | world of photography, persistence pays. |
| practical knowledge of the mechanics of cameras, to | | | | Amateur photography competitions are another great |
| capture great shots with simple "point and shoot" | | | | way of getting your photography seen, and can win |
| digital models. | | | | you fans, prizes and even commissions or customers. |
| For some, a love of photography can turn into a | | | | A good idea is to start small; your local photography |
| profession. If you're looking to take your | | | | club will probably hold various contests; also keep an |
| photography to the next level, it's a good idea to | | | | eye out for other competitions that are within your |
| first build up a portfolio of work, and then submit | | | | field of expertise. There are hundreds to enter, and |
| your work to the many dedicated photography | | | | they tend to have set themes - covering everything |
| websites or competitions. There are hundreds of | | | | from travel to sports, nature to nautical and portrait |
| amateur photography forums and websites where | | | | to planes. |
| members can submit their work for critical appraisal | | | | The 'Million Places on Earth' competition, for example, |
| by other members. Such websites also offer advice | | | | is offering a top prize of one million dollars for unique |
| and tips on photography techniques. | | | | location images from anywhere in the world. Other |
| Another way to get recognition and even payment | | | | competitions include Embassy Suite Hotels 'Happiness |
| for your photographs is to submit your shots to | | | | in Motion' competition, which carries an all expenses |
| magazines. Either choose a general photography | | | | paid trip to Hawaii as their top prize; while UKplus are |
| magazine to do this, or try specialist consumer | | | | also holding an online photography competition with a |
| magazines. For example, if you are a keen skier, | | | | top prize of £1000 for photographs taken within |
| submit your ski shots to a winter sports magazine; or | | | | the UK. |
| if you enjoy fishing, try an angling magazine. Local | | | | Whether it's for fun, glory, or perhaps a new career |
| papers are also a good place to submit photos, as | | | | path, photography is an extremely rewarding hobby. |
| they are often on the lookout for pictures to | | | | And you never know - you might just see your |
| accompany their stories. | | | | picture on the cover of National Geographic one day! |
| When submitting your photography to magazines, it's | | | | |