Participating in a photo contest has its advantages and disadvantages. It is like a double-edged sword. It can make you better or even destroy you. Maybe you are one of those who experience it until you read my writing.
Initially, I joined the photo competition because I felt that I was quite good at it. I started hunting for photos that fit my style. I tried my best. With the hope that I could get good results. After waiting for a long time for the judging, the results were very disappointing. I tried to see photos that got better scores than mine, but it turned out that they were not up to my standards. It really disappointed me. There was a sense of injustice there, but I finally neutralized that thought by thinking positively. Even so, I still felt disappointed.
Although the photo competition brought disappointment, it also brought positive effects. I learned more photography techniques, improved my ability to make better photos, and practiced more. Opened my insight to make better photos.
After feeling so disappointed, I felt like I was a really incompetent photographer. It took me a while to regain my spirit and confidence, so I could enjoy photography again.
After I managed to gather my strength again, the first thing I did was I looked for a place where my style could be appreciated. I joined a photo competition that I felt was more suitable for me. The result? Very satisfying, I won a certain category. This made me better, as if showing that I was not that bad. Maybe my photography still has hope to develop.
My advice, for those of you who are just starting a photography hobby, be careful to join a photo competition. Because the results can make you laugh or cry. However, if you get bad results, don't be discouraged, your photos may not be that bad, you just need to learn better or maybe just need the right place.
Personally, I don't want to join photography competitions too often. Because basically photography competitions are about how you impress the judges, while photography that makes me happy is a photo that impresses my self.
