While the deadline for the Sony World Photography Awards might feel far away, it's always a good idea to set time aside and prepare your submission so your work is showcased to its fullest potential.
One of the most exciting aspects of all four competitions (Professional, Open, Student and Youth) is the opportunity to see work from all over the world by photographers who might not yet be a 'name' but who are producing contemporary imagery that has resonance and has been born out of the world as it is today.
If you've shot a set of images, then great! Here's what to consider next. It always shows if submissions have had the time and extra thought put into them, so don't wait until the last minute to enter. Take a look at our checklist below and see what you can turn your attention to during this quieter time, December will be here before you know it!
CAPTIONS
Short, concise, clear captions always help judges understand your work. It's best to make these no longer than 20 words. If your work is more conceptual you can add this element into the series or image description.
SUPPORTING TEXT
We ask for a series or image description (depending on whether you're entering Professional or Open) in the Sony World Photography Awards. Here it's key for you to very clear on what your message is, what you're wanting the say through your work. Keep jargon to a minimum, the simpler words are often the strongest. Take a read of our blog post on writing for some pointers.
IMAGE SPEC
Before you enter make sure...
- All of your images are in JPG format and saved at quality 10 or above, or the maximum quality possible (depending on which software you use)
- That your image(s) is between 1-5 MB*
- Your image is set to the sRGB color mode (just make sure the mode is not Adobe RGB or CMYK, as they aren't browser friendly)
*If you’re not entirely sure how to resize or reformat your images, have a search online, there are loads of great resources immediately available to help you out. If for some reason your photographs aren’t uploading to the World Photography Organisation website, please double check your images are JPEG format and try again. If you’re still having trouble, contact us here.
PICTURE EDIT
If you're submitting to our Professional competition, really take the time to create your set of images. Group the images together and see how they look as thumbnails, rough print outs or even as a sequence when viewed in full screen. Don't be afraid to play around with different set options and try switching images in and out. Try and be as honest with yourself as possible. If you feel the collection needs more work, could go out and shoot more? Take a read of our guide to picture editing blog post.
ASK A FRIEND
Always try and get another person's point of view – they might spot a small typo, or question your thinking in selecting a particular image. Talking to someone who you trust who is totally objective will always open up interesting viewpoints and potentially new ways of thinking about your work.
FINAL REVIEW
As you're not right up against the deadline, why not leave your submission for a few weeks and come back to it for one more final review? If you've got a printer why not create some proofs and stick them up at home in a place other than your studio. While you're brushing your teeth or drinking your coffee in the morning, you'll read the images differently.
DO YOU SHOOT IN SERIES? ENTER OUR PROFESSIONAL COMPETITION FOR FREE
DO YOU CREATE SINGLE IMAGES? ENTER OUR OPEN COMPETITON FOR FREE
AGED 12 TO 19 YEARS-OLD? ENTER OUR YOUTH COMPETITION FOR FREE
