Enter Now for the "Time of the Season" Photo Contest!

Four seasons, four contests

The seasons affect everything we do as photographers, from what we wear in the field to which camera gear we bring. It’s the same for hobby photographers and professionals alike: The mood, colors, and themes that we convey through our photographs change with the time of year.

We want to see your best photos that capture the essence of each season wherever you are. That’s why Shutterbug is launching Time of the Season, a series of four photo contests which will run throughout 2021:

-Winter: Submissions March 1-19, winner announced March 26

-Spring: Submissions May 17-June 4, winner announced June 11

-Summer: Submissions August 23-September 10, winner announced September 17

-Fall: Submissions October 25-November 12, winner announced November 19

Five finalists in each round will receive a US$50 Amazon gift card. In December 2021, they will also receive a custom-made flat photo book featuring all finalist and winning photos. The winner of each round will take away a grand prize of US$500 cash and a Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD lens.

Winter

Winter can be a difficult season for many photographers. At higher latitudes, winter means short periods of daylight and prolonged darkness. Biting cold can reduce your camera's battery life, and condensation can wreck your gear if you’re not careful when heading back inside. Closer to the equator, winter might signal either a welcome reprieve from heat and humidity or a season of drought, with dry rivers and shriveled vegetation.

Mind you, winter has its upsides if you can overcome the urge to stay under the blankets and get outside. There are fewer people out and less competition at popular photo locations. Golden hour comes at a more reasonable time. You can sleep in for longer in the morning and won’t have to stay out late in the evening to take advantage of the soft, golden light that marks this time of the day. And if you’re lucky enough to be near the snow, a fresh sprinkle of the white stuff can transform even the most ordinary scene into a pristine landscape untouched by human hands.

Have you taken some great winter photos lately? Enter them by March 19 for your chance to win. And if you haven’t done much winter photography lately, you still have a few weeks left to dust off the camera and get snapping. At least if you’re in the northern hemisphere. Here’s some inspiration to help you make the most of this wonderful time of the year:

Enter Time of the Season – Winter Photo Contest here.