Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Photrade.com Launches New Platform for Free Photography Contests

Photrade.com has created a free platform that provides the tools for photographers of any skill level  to customize their own photo contest,. Within a few minutes, they can flaunt their proudest pieces of art to family, friends or competitors across the world.

Photrade hosted its first  Apple Aperture Nature Photography Workshops Contest. The contest was open to amateurs only and included  8034 participants. The four Winners received a paid trip to Grand Tetons National Park, which started today. Over the next four days, they'll receive first-hand lessons in Apple Aperture by a team of Apple-certified trainers. Marketing partners Apple,Lensbaby, Peachpit Press,Data Robotics,ThinkTank Photo and lynda.com, also awarded the contestants with software and gadgets. The contest will be resume every three months, with another group of four pros, and four amateurs  in Olympic,  Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks.

The key difference between photrade's format from the other photo-hosting sites is the power it gives to the user. Once they've created the name of the contest, they can specify the rules, name the prize, stipulate the number of entries allowed, discuss the entries and post the submitted photos for a final vote. If contest rules permit, vote totals may include friends and family, and photrade provides the widgets to promote your pics on your blog or favorite social networking site.

 Some of the most popular contests included my personal favorite, The Great Outdoors. The only rule was that competitors were limited to two submissions.Prizes at stake included:  A Canon Delux Photo for 1st place and a lensbrush and camera case for 2nd and 3rd place.  In a two-week period, 118 competitors produced 173 shots which showcased the majestic scenery that mother nature offers. Take a look at the three winning shots.

Photrade's platform - user-customized competition enhanced and facilitated by social networking-should open the door for dynamic marketing opportunities,from local camera shops to major corporations, such as Apple and the others who partnered with the initial contest.

By Matt O'Hern at 12:09 PM | Comments (0)

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