A quick post to mark the date when I submitted my first anything to anything.
To begin, begin.
— William Wordsworth
It has been on my mind for a while, to research all the millions of competitions, contests and the like, be it word or image-related. I’ve been saving links too. But I never did it or submitted either a written or photo evidence of my existence anywhere if we don’t count Thursday Doors. And we should and shouldn’t – since over there we are all winners.
I’m not competitive in nature, except of course when I am, such as in cards. It’s better to say that I choose my battles wisely because I plan to win them all. But now I’m learning to take part without competing. It’s not hard since my motto has always been:
I’m not interested in competing with anyone, I hope we all make it.
—Erica Cook
I also admit that I hadn’t studied the entries submitted by others much before submitting mine. After glancing at the rules I proclaimed to amore that even if I came third, it’s 1000 dollars, but then I had a closer look. How does blown away sound?
For my first competition I have namely chosen The LensCulture Exposure Awards 2018 to which I submitted the featured photo under the title “To begin, begin”. The call for entries is here and one photo submission is free. If you post five you pay, but you get a free review of your submitted work. This is something that I’m not so keen on. What could they say? You suck but keep on trying? 😀
It’s not that I don’t believe in rules…
Wait, I don’t believe in rules.
I think I may be having a hard time with this winning. But today is my little victory anyway.
Photo: © signature mmm
The Mexi Movie II. (closed) 
Beautiful shot – good luck on the competition. Hopefully, it is the first of many more.
Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, Bill, this is lovely encouragement, thank you truly and welcome to my blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
such fun words here – don’t believe in rules, but do… and to begin, begin – etc.
oh and best wishes on your submission
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Prior. Fun words are fun. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
ha
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fingers crossed. And, as a veteran of a few art competitions in all my exhibiting days (still going on, I still get anxious when the judge comes into my booth) and having swum in at least 1000 races in my competitive swimming career, and running a lot of 5K’s, I ‘m here to tell you, you put your horse in the race, you’ve got a chance; you don’t, you are just watching. And #2, you get up there on the starting blocks often enough, you’ll find that race that you will win. Last, you’ve already done this: you’ve put in the time and effort to become good at what you are doing. You have the satisfaction of doing good work. I predict enjoyment and success. I love this photo; it is life-affirming.
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is lovely, Claudia. ❤ All your experience is showing: either your horse is in the race or you're watching… no other way about it. I think I've been holding back from races I can't win instead of getting better by exercising in contests. Life-affirming is the only thing I wish my work to be. Thank you, from the heart.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Competition is a learned skill, mentally, I mean, how to manage it and your own mental state is really what it all comes down to. I enjoy competing in races and so on, not interested in everyday life things. Overall it has encouraged me to stretch, whether athletics or art. I hope you will find the same!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I know about competition from my card tournaments. At one point I won 7 of them in one month and a half. I stopped going when I discovered malpractice and cheating. Over some things you just can’t win (or is beneath you). In photography (and words) I shall not apply that energy, rather I will do my best and see how good it really is. I always appreciate your insight. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
The real competition: with yourself. That is the hardest insight to come to and the best.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Fantastic shot! I’m not very competitive either.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jan! I think all my competitiveness was addressed and laid to rest in 10 years of competitive card games, mostly against VERY competitive men. Now I don’t even think of missing it, except sometimes I remember how mad they were when I won.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good for you, Ms. M. I echo everything Claudia said. I wish you lots of luck and success and encouragement to keep going.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Susanne. I dare say life is encouragement enough. Next… to employ words.
LikeLike
Good luck MMM. But then, you are already a winner.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, Francesca, thank you, that’s how it feels. ❤
LikeLike
Beautiful photo! Good luck in the competition. I don’t like to compete at all, so any time I find myself in that type of situation, I tell myself that win or lose, it’s a success if I learn something from the experience. And then I try not to get bummed when I lose, because it usually ends up that I did care about the competition after all. Sigh.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Haha, Maggie, there’s that… I think in my case the trick is to take part in so many competitions that I lose track and won’t remember where to check how I lost once again. 😀 Thank you! I’ll enjoy myself in every case.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful photo – good luck!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dan. But the good luck that would be required for my success in this one is that all other entries miraculously disappear. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahhha, no need to frown. It was a victory for me to do it. All better than good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a start, a step in the right direction, and you learn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow. A stunning photo. Let us know how you do.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh, thank you, Judy, but I don’t think we need to worry about me winning this one. 😀 Have you seen others?
LikeLiked by 1 person
No…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Go, Manja, Go! Fingers crossed. Wonderful image.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, Markus, thanks so much! I can’t win my first contest, wouldn’t be right. Hihihi. Seriously though, I think that almost all other submissions are the best photos I’ve ever seen. 😮
LikeLike
..I can not imagine that, dear Manja, after seen your photo!!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sensational!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Real Maven. 🙂 And welcome to my blog!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Nice to meet you..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahah, the supposed feedback 😀 I think it would be interesting to hear it, actually. Good luck! And nice pic by the way! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hihihi, SMSW! Oh, I’m sure it would be, I just very rarely do as I’m told. 😉 Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A beautiful choice Manja … and I just favourited you 🙂
Do you get to see how many *stars* you are getting?
I like the quote ‘To begin, begin’. I’m a big believer in just doing it – whatever *it* happens to be – and in my opinion, you’re a winner for doing just that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you kindly, Joanne! No, I don’t have any information on the stars. But yes, I believe so too – a little winner any which way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m also not so competitive (like zero) but…it’s always fun to try it 🙂 why not..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. It’s more a good feeling after performing an action I always promised to do but never did before.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do u believe in it at all…I think when it comes to the point to choose the best – jury will “seek” for familiar names: “oh this one is great…I’ve heard his name here & there” :))
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hehe, sometimes they choose unknown names just to prove you are not right. 😀 But did you see other photos in this contest?? Some of the best I have seen in my life. Zero chance.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I saw. But I don’t know them. We know you and we love your photos. And doors 🚪:) oh and all those competitions is just such a small part of our life.
And have a great December as well🕺🍵
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤ Thank you, girl.
LikeLike