Photo Contests Re-imagined.
Forget what you know about old skool photo challenges. We've made them obsolete. Get ready for the most compelling photographic contest ever devised!

Your work seen by millions.

Knockout competition.

Huge Cash Prizes.


Every two weeks, your goal is to become one of the 50 qualifiers to compete in the semifinals. The public will decide if you'll compete against 40 others, who think they can beat you for the Grand Prize. Will you be The Last Photographer Standing?





Thanks to our Artist-in-Residence Shay Stephens for the major design elements of this contest!



LPS History
(links for reference)

1 - Chilled or Steamy - entries, finalists, judges critique
2 - Stately or Humble - entries, finalists, judges critique
3 - Irregular or Picturesque - entries, finalists, judges critique
4 - Artificial or Organic - entries, finalists, judges critique
5 - Translucent or Silhouette - entries, finalists, judges critique
SF1 - (open) - entries, finalists, judges critique
6 - Curvy or Angular - entries, finalists, judges critique
7 - Joy or Sorrow - entries, finalists, judges critique
8 - Explosive or Sedate - entries, finalists, judges critique
9 - Freedom or Oppression - entries, finalists, judges critique
10 - Surf or Turf - entries, finalists, judges critique
SF2 - (open) - entries, finalists, judges critique
11 - Man or Machine - entries, finalists, judges critique
12 - Sin or Virtue - entries, finalists, judges critique
13 - Light or Shadow - entries, finalists, judges critique
14 - Craggy or Smooth - entries, finalists, judges critique
15 - Colorful or Monochromatic - entries, finalists, judges critique
SF3 - (open) - entries, finalists, judges critique
16 - Flash or Ambient - entries, finalists, judges critique
17 - Growth or Decay - entries, finalists, judges critique
18 - Seconds or Milliseconds - entries, finalists, judges critique
19 - Thoughts or Actions - entries, finalists, critique
20 - Face or Hands - entries, finalists, critique
SF4 - (open) - entries, finalists
Grand Finale - entries, voting (and winner, Vandana!!!)

LPS History
We've created smugmug galleries to hold all the best photos, HERE!


LPS FAQ's (threads)

Does it really end at 12:01am?
How much photo editing is allowed
Deciding on theme directions for your photo
Do you have photographers block?
About the Last Photographer Standing judges.
What are the judging guidleines?
Are the judges crazy?
My photo didn't make it!?!?
I still don't know how to link my exif!
Are you kidding? I STILL don't know how to link exif!

Forums are gonna get pretty busy here soon once the word gets out.

Originally Posted by nikos Forums are gonna get pretty busy here soon once the word gets out.

We hope so ... please dont hold back spreading the word.

Just a small note, in the above graphic it says underneath Grand Prize $25,000. The $25,000 is total for all the winners, not just grand prize correct? Even though it says total prizes it makes it look like the Grand Prize winner gets $25,000 in prizes, be it cash or other stuff. Don't want people to be confused!

I think that the more the word spreads, the potential for learning here multiplys greatly. Can't wait to see some new faces and styles. Cudos to all involved in starting such a well thought out contest! I see this as a great oppertunity to share different perspectives, and artistic views on what looks to be some interesting themes.
Good luck to all.
Cant wait to see some mind blowing shots!
-Barry

Originally Posted by ButterNutz I think that the more the word spreads, the potential for learning here multiplys greatly. Can't wait to see some new faces and styles. Cudos to all involved in starting such a well thought out contest! I see this as a great oppertunity to share different perspectives, and artistic views on what looks to be some interesting themes. Good luck to all. Cant wait to see some mind blowing shots! -Barry

that's the spirit

Originally Posted by Rhuarc Just a small note, in the above graphic it says underneath Grand Prize $25,000. The $25,000 is total for all the winners, not just grand prize correct? Even though it says total prizes it makes it look like the Grand Prize winner gets $25,000 in prizes, be it cash or other stuff. Don't want people to be confused!

You ever try promoting anything?

You have 3 seconds to capture your audience. You can't read the following in 3 seconds:

4 public choice awards get w, x, y, z
the winner winner gets A
the runners up get B
...

...you get the idea. You have to come HERE to read the fine print, and that is exactly the point! When you enter bike or running races, the pots are always advertised this way "total purse" or "total pot". There's nothing deceiving about it, we just have to be to the point.

The stakes for the new contest are set rather high. I mean, all four of the $1,500 semifinal prizes and the ultimate $7.500 Grand Prix - it's a lot of money. And they all are finally decided by an open public vote. Now, how hard is it to register a few (dozen) times under a name like L33t_4Rt1st or GeekWithQamera with the single purpose to vote for a particular candidate (presumed the fact that this person got through the qualification tours).

I was wondering if it's possible to have a "post count census", e.g. only allow people with say, 100 posts, to vote? Or verify the IPs (yes, I'm well aware of proxies and DHCP).

Or maybe it's just me being paranoid...

Originally Posted by Nikolai Or maybe it's just me being paranoid...

Every new member of Dgrin must be approved by an admin. There's no automation here, we check every email and every IP. We'll add admins before we start discriminating based on post count.

Originally Posted by Nikolai Or maybe it's just me being paranoid...

Go shoot, Nik. We've got it covered

Originally Posted by Andy Go shoot, Nik. We've got it covered

Glad you guys thought of this!
Now I can go shoot me some winners:-)

Thanks for the clarification, that paranoia hit me also, after all how difficult it is to have a few fake IDs?

I think a book should be made of all the winning photos complete w/EXIF from the contest- with the LPS getting the cover and two page spread! LPS would also receive a free copy.

Book could be made available to purchase by all members and income created could go towards next years Grand Prize.

Any thoughts??


Aaron

Originally Posted by anwmn1 I think a book should be made of all the winning photos complete w/EXIF from the contest- with the LPS getting the cover and two page spread! LPS would also receive a free copy. Book could be made available to purchase by all members and income created could go towards next years Grand Prize. Any thoughts?? Aaron

The problem with that is the contest goes from what it is, to being a way to get people to buy vanity books. That idea is already being done anyway. I get emails all the time about it. It's not a total scam, but it gets too close for comfort in my book.

I haven't seen any mention of acceptable photoshopping?
none - direct from camera only? (rather - I guess resizing only?)
cropping?
only photo-wide corrections? like more contrast without using layer masks?
specific corrections? like adjusting curves for only part of the photo?
collaging multiple photos into the final submission?


I apologize if you've already answered this - I did look about before asking.
thanks

Originally Posted by burning dan I haven't seen any mention of acceptable photoshopping? none - direct from camera only? (rather - I guess resizing only?) cropping? only photo-wide corrections? like more contrast without using layer masks? specific corrections? like adjusting curves for only part of the photo? collaging multiple photos into the final submission? I apologize if you've already answered this - I did look about before asking. thanks

It's not in the rules because there really shouldn't be an artificial limit placed on what the photographer wants to do. If a photographer goes over the edge into mostly illustration or something, then they better make it really good to make it in a photography contest

You are the artist. You decide what to do!

I think Andy responded to that a few days ago. Basically: no limit on PS. If you do a bad PS job you'll fall out in the initial stage anyway.

Amazing, simple common-sense rules to a competition.

This is a wonderful idea. Kudos to the folks in power.

Originally Posted by Shay Stephens The problem with that is the contest goes from what it is, to being a way to get people to buy vanity books. That idea is already being done anyway. I get emails all the time about it. It's not a total scam, but it gets too close for comfort in my book.

Well I see where some people may get that impression but for those that compete and even win a contest it would be great to see all the winning shots.

If the profit went back into the competition it would just be an added bonus, after all no one has to purchase it but if others have asked- then it may be worth looking into.

Maybe create a poll to judge interest?

Aaron

Originally Posted by anwmn1 Well I see where some people may get that impression but for those that compete and even win a contest it would be great to see all the winning shots. If the profit went back into the competition it would just be an added bonus, after all no one has to purchase it but if others have asked- then it may be worth looking into. Maybe create a poll to judge interest? Aaron

I don't want to sound like a bad guy, but I assumed that the copyright and all the publishing rights (except dgrin/smugmug rights to use this contest as a promotion) remain in the author's ownership. I personally would think hard about my pictures being included into any book without my explicit consent, especially the one that is sold for profit...
Again, it may be just me.... But I've seen a lot of "online contests" whose sole purpose was to get some decent pictures and use them at organizers' descretion - free of charge...
Luckily for this one we're not submitting originals, and I don't think it's technically possible to make a decent print out of 600x800x72ppi..
FWIW...