Deadline: May 12th, 2008.

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I am not entering due to the late notice (I have so much useless and meaningless incoming mail, that I tend to breeze pass the best ones). I think a lot of photographers here at DeviantART have the potential to become a professional and well-respected photographer. I browse through many galleries on a weekly basis, I can't believe how much talent goes un-noticed. Good luck to those of you who decide to enter. I wish I had time to prepare my own submissions. Maybe next time. I still consider myself a beginner [photographer] even though I've been at this for nearly 6 years. I still haven't nailed a good photo shoot. I'm focusing on the 'execution' part of all my imagery and photo-stories this time around. I just can't seem to articulate my ideas right. I visited the Museum of Photographic Arts in San Diego a month ago. The works on display (Edward Weston, William Klein, and John Szarkowski) has definitely found it's place in my brain. I have been influenced by Weston since early last year 2007, and to see his work displayed in a museum (an original print right in front of me)... it made me nostalgic and also very eager to create my own photographs. I remembered the advice my photo professor had told me last year, "Practice, practice, practice. Take photos everyday and practice." We were required to use more than 3 rolls for each project. We watched a film on Sally Mann, and that's when it hit me. Even the greatest of photographers hate their own pictures. They practice everyday until they get it right.

-Jaymi