By Gabriel I. Alonso, M.Photog.Cr.,CPP, Fellow-ASP

Don’t you just love the physical well-being you experience after working-out? Granted, you may also experience soreness and aches, but it can’t be denied that the benefits far outweigh the pain and inconvenience.

Going to the gym and even brushing your teeth regularly are required maintenance for which your body rewards you with good health and an enhanced immune system. It’s analogous to how participating in image competition works. You select what you think are your best images, prepare them with great care, craft the perfect titles and carefully prepare your entry form and uploads. The results may not be what you expected or think you deserved, but the process you went through makes you a better image maker.

Attending image judging is also beneficial as it exposes you to the “cream of the crop” of our profession. Entering images induces a great deal of anxiety and fear of rejection, but the experience is rewarding regardless of how well your images perform.

The PPA’s International image Competition is the ultimate experience to witness or to volunteer, as it includes entries from multiple foreign countries. Attendance at the Judging is open for all PPA members free of charge.

Additional benefits to your photography are increased awareness of new imaging trends and an incredible source of inspiration.

I encourage you to enter and participate in image competition as a sure path to the enhancement of your skills as a photographic artist that will assist in your professional development and the pursuit of excellenc