Photo contests can feel intimidating — but they’re actually one of the best ways to practice.

A contest pushes you to slow down and try your best, not just take another quick shot. It makes you think about the theme, plan your approach, and ask yourself why a photo works instead of just if it looks good. And most importantly, contests often bring out creativity you didn’t even know you had. Regardless of the outcome, you still win — because of the effort, thought, and intention you put into the photo.

If you want a low-pressure way to challenge yourself, there’s a current photo contest from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources that fits perfectly. The April 15 deadline gives you enough time to slow down, think through a theme, and shoot with intention — not rush a last-minute entry. And even if you never submit a photo, the process itself is a valuable exercise.

Getting better One Photo at a Time,
Doug

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