popular photography & imaging has put together a photographer of the year contest:

This is the ultimate, put-up-or-shut-up photographic competition that will get the winner $5,000 in cash, the opportunity to shoot the December 2005 cover of Pop Photo (a $1,000 assignment), a five-day trip to New York City, and—best of all—the title, “Photographer of the Year 2005.”

Simple, but not easy. Here's the plan: Mail us four photos. No e-mails or digital files. They must be prints—no larger than 11x17 inches.
- One people shot
- One product shot
- One action shot
- One more shot of anything or any type you wish.

How you interpret these categories is up to you. These photos can be straight or worked on in image-editing software—again, your choice. Just make sure you impress us with your vision and your versatility. And make sure you get them to us by April 1. We're looking for the world's best all-around shooter.

...

But first, let's get a few things out of the way: You can be an amateur or pro—it's the work that matters. You can shoot film, digital, or both. You must be available the week of July 10 for the shoot-off in New York . This contest is open to photographers anywhere on Planet Earth. If you're selected, we'll provide round-trip coach airfare from most major cities in the world. You must get your entry to us postmarked no later than Friday, April 1, 2005. via blog.photoblogs.org



if that contest sounds like too much work, there's always this contest being put on by west michigan photoworks:

The contest is open to any photographer working in film or digital media. Amateur or professional photographers are welcome to enter.

The contest will be divided into three categories; Figures (Portrait), Landscape and Open.

A maximum of three entries are allowed. These entries may be all in one category or any combination of categories.

Entries must be prints. Digital files or films will not be considered, unless the film is an integral part of the entry as in a transfer image.

Images may be submitted loose, mounted, mounted and matted or mounted, matted and framed. Judging preference will not be given to images that are presented framed as opposed to submitted loose, but the overall presentation will be considered. The maximum print size is 16x20.

Entry fee is $10.00 per entry or $25.00 for three entries. The entry fee is due upon submission of the work(s). You may include credit card information if you desire. We accept Visa, MasterCard or Discover.

All entries will be blind judged. A card with the entrants’ information must be submitted along with each entry. A number will be assigned to the card and the entry and the images will be judged by number only. No indication of the photographer will be allowed on the image, mounting or framing.

Judging will be performed by Russell Millett, BA Fine Arts, Master Photographer, PPA Certified, Published on the cover of the PPofA General Collection 2003, former Kodak Representative with over 25 years in the industry. Judging will be completed by March 6, 2005; winners will be notified immediately.

Entries must be at West Michigan Photo Works by no later than February 28, 2005.

Prizes will be awarded based on the number of entries. The total entrant fees will be divided in half for each category and that amount will be further divided so that 50% will be awarded to the winner of the category, 30% to the second place winner and 20% to the third place winner. The remaining amount of entry fees will be donated to the Holland Rescue Mission. No amount of the entry fees will be retained by West Michigan Photo Works. All costs associated with the contest will be underwritten by West Michigan Photo Works.

Contest winners and selected other images will be displayed in the Gallery at Photo Works through April 28, 2005. If you desire to offer your image for sale during this time, please submit a sales price for the work. The Gallery will retain 40% of the total sales price if a work is sold, please consider this when setting a price. via toycamera.com.

i don't have the time or energy to enter either of these but it does remind me of what one of my photography teachers once said. if you want to win contests, take pictures of cute kids or things pleasing to the eye, as those are the types of photos that win contests. not sure if that advice applies to these contests or not though.