Like many photographers, I enter a lot of competitions, some local, some international.  Participating in such events is, in my opinion, a doubled edged sword at best.  They are great when your work is accepted and gets wide exposure--even better when you win a prize and some money.  They are not great when you pay an entrance fee and don't get accepted. I have had both experiences, as has every photographer I know.  There are photographers who say that art should not be a competition, but a learning experience and that competition tends only to divide artists, not bring them together.  There are other artists who believe that competition is good because it spurs you to do better work, not get complacent, and that it enables you to find out what "works" in a piece, and what is too obscure or just off. I like the idea of collaboration, of exchanging ideas, comparing techniques and points of view, sharing information about a particular camera or how to get the best out of an image. Wise men say that sharing our knowledge is the only way we achieve true immortality.

     But I also like to win, to have other photographers I respect find my work exceptional, worth of merit, even praise. Research suggests that we get a tiny shot of dopamine when we post something on Facebook and get a bunch of "likes."  I suspect that is why people do it.  Having your work accepted to a show and winning a prize is an even bigger shot of dopamine.

     If you are on the fence, I suggest you enter a competition--at least just once. There are thousands of them, including many online for free, such as those at Digital Photography Review. Don't give up if you don't get selected or win a prize the first time. Keep trying. Don't let your pride get the better of you.  See what was accepted and work on getting better.  You just may learn something useful and get an extra shot of dopamine as well.

Autumn, County Mayo, IrelandAn example of a photography of mine that was awarded a prize in a competition in 2014.