>>4398524Not about to dox myself, friendo.
...what for? anonymous validation?
Like I said, it shouldn't mean shit to you, and I mean it sincerely.
Either you consider the advice or call it fake and gay then move on.
Also, winning competitions is doing the research on what appeals to the judge's idea of aesthetics. Especially at a community/regional level. Good way to pick up gear and small prize money.
It changes a bit at National/international level, especially with nuances on rules of entry, but that's a different kettle of fish to explain in this post.
There's a reason why one-hit-wonder first entrants rarely/never win a major prize. You haven't got skin in the game and a reputation to lose if you're caught cheating, plagiarising or skirting the rules, it makes the orgnaisers look like fools. On the opposite coin the judges keep tabs on you too, if they like your work even if you fell short.
Unironically /p/ has a decent pool of talent, I really enjoy the recent photo threads and the occasional instagram thread.
As for an example on composition, If you can stomach the subject. I'd point you to the work of the Filipino Drug War Photographers, some have interesting baroque influences.
