[Adam]

I wanted to put together a list of tips and suggestions to help your photo be successful in our K-3 photo contest. Following these guidelines may greatly increase your chances of winning. Good luck!

1. Read the contest guidelines and rules fully

The rules can be found here:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/174-pentax-k-3-photo-contest/258714-win-p...round-1-a.html

2. Upload/embed your photo properly

Please make sure your photo is showing up properly before navigating away from your submission thread. The easiest way to check for this is to simply look at your post and check if you image is there after refreshing the page. Also, go out to the contest forum and see if your thread has a thumbnail.

If you don't see the photo or thumbnail, do the following:

• If using our attachment system
  • Click on edit, then go advanced, then manage attachments, and re-upload your image
  • Be sure to save your post after re-uploading
• If linking to an external image:
  • Be sure the link you pasted points to an image file, i.e. it must end in .JPG, .jpg, or .jpeg, etc. Linking straight to your flickr page won't work, you need to get the actual image link!
• Fully read our image uploading guide

If you're on a phone / tablet, be sure to click on "full site" at the bottom of the page for the desktop version of the site, which has all the image uploading controls.

3. Be sure your image has user-friendly dimensions

I recommend uploading photos between 900 and 1200 pixels wide on the long end. Anything wider may be scaled or our system, or simply be too large for our users to view on their screens. Anything smaller may prevent users from being able to fully appreciate the image.


4. Tell us about your photo

What camera and lens did you use? How did you shoot the photo? What post-processing techniques did you apply? Where was the photo taken?

Giving a little background information goes a long way in helping users to appreciate your photo, and helping the staff verify that your submission is authentic.

If you've already submitted your photo, you can always edit the post to add text.


5. Come up with a creative title for your photo / thread

A descriptive thread title will attract more users and will result in more comments. Don't simply say "contest submission" or "entry"!


6. Reply to user questions/comments

Getting involved in the conversation may end up getting your photo more nominations and more attention. Don't just submit and walk away, and don't leave any questions unanswered!

A good idea would be to subscribe to your thread (via the link in the red back above the first post) so that you're notified via e-mail whenever someone replies.


7. Get user comments or critique prior to submitting

Remember, the contest deadline is May 31st, so don't be rushed. If you have multiple photos you're considering submitting, post them in our critique forum or photo sharing forum to get comments for improvement, and to find out which is best:
Photo Critique - PentaxForums.com
Post your photos! - PentaxForums.com


8. Don't enter at the last minute

Remember that while half of our finalists will be selected exclusively by a panel of judges, the remaining half will be selected primarily through user nominations. So, be sure to submit so that others have plenty of time to view and comment on your photo.


9. Share your photo with others via our facebook page or web site

Lots of our members frequent our facebook and other social media sites. Share your submission there or on your own site to drive more attention to it!
Our page: https://www.facebook.com/pentaxforums
Official Pentax page: https://www.facebook.com/pentax
Pentax UK page: https://www.facebook.com/RicohImagingUK

10. Don't cheat

Creating multiple accounts to make multiple submissions, nominations, etc. will get you disqualified and banned from the forum. As will uploading somebody else's photo, so don't bother.



Once again, good luck everybody!

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)



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