I have been a professional photographer for over 40 years. I have taught photography for about that long. IMO, there are no "good" contests. Long ago, I approached the WI dept. of tourism. Got an appointment with the photo editor. Told him that I was not a native Wisconsinite but loved the state and that they were not promoting it properly. The pictures you are using are not the best. I have better. He said: I know. I am familiar with your work. But we get all our pictures for free. We have a contest. In the fine print it says: all entries become our property - as 99% of all contest do !! Why should I pay you? A few years later, the Illinois dept. of tourism hired a advertising company. First suggestion: forget the "free" amateur photos you get from your contests and pay for professional pictures. WI, MN, SD, IA, ND, IN...... quickly followed suit. I gained a lot of money! Suppose you wanted to start a business of selling pictures of babies. Just start a contest with some lame $ prizes. Fine print on entry forms of course says: all entries become property of... Suddenly you own tons of pix of babes that you can say are yours, can sell, etc. Again 99% of contest are rip-offs !! Unless you are really hurting for some expensive feedback. Gene
