The trick to winning a photography competition is to impress the judges. How you do that is a little more complicated, but start by imagining you are one of the judges.

Think about what they do. They are presented with hundreds or maybe thousands of photographs. Each image is precious and important to its photographer, but unlike the photographer, the judge doesn't have the same emotional attachment.

Many people enter photographs of their children or loved ones, thinking they are the best images in the world. And they are. They are the best images for that person because there is a three-way association between the subject, the photographer and the photograph.

However, for a judge who doesn't know either the subject or the photographer, that association is lost. All the judge can deal with is the image, not the personal associations.

Successful photographs will create an association with the viewer - and the judge. That association is created by choosing interesting or appealing subject matter, by capturing that subject matter with beautiful lighting or in an exotic location, by choosing an unusual camera angle, etc.

Successful photographs are usually different from what we are used to seeing. What can you do that is a little different to the norm?

Entries into the 2023 Better Photography Photographer of the Year Awards are now open. There is a $5000 cash prize pool, entries can win Gold, Silver or Bronze awards and every entry receives a judge's comment to assist them improve. Early entries close 8 October and final entries on 15 October 2023. For more details and to enter, visit www.betterphotographyphotocomp.com now!