What makes a good competition image?

These are some things to consider when submitting images for competitions.

Judges most often mention -

• In focus where it needs to be

• Correctly exposed where it needs to be

• Mono – good range of tones

• Something for the eye to settle on

• No distractions (especially at the edges) [cropping]

• Straight horizons

• Vertical verticals

The principles of composition (which come from the study of paintings) -

• The rule of thirds (ie, where is the main subject?)

• Lines and diagonals

• Symmetry, patterns, shapes

• Simplify

• Space to move

• Groups of three

• Negative space

• Break the rules

The internet is full of advice: this link happened to come at the top of the search page, but there are many others:

https://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/10-top-photography-composition-rules