There are few photographers better placed to guide you through the world of competition photography than Henley Spiers. With awards from some of the most prestigious contests on the planet – including Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Ocean Photographer of the Year, and Underwater Photographer of the Year – it should go without saying that Henley brings a hard-won authority to the subject.

But his first piece of advice might surprise you. Failure, he insists, is not the exception. It’s the rule. Even at his level, losses outnumber wins, and making peace with that reality is the essential first step before you enter a single frame.

So where do you begin? In his latest Column for Oceanographic, Spiers argues that choosing the right contest is everything. From specialist underwater events to broader showcases like the Sony World Photography Awards, each competition has its own culture, its own values, and its own visual language. Understanding where your work genuinely fits – rather than simply casting the widest net – is the foundation of a smart competition strategy.

And once you’ve chosen? Well, don’t stop at one. Entering multiple contests isn’t a sign of desperation; it’s basic logic. Results are subjective, judging panels change, and every additional entry is another legitimate shot at recognition.

Research is where serious competitors separate themselves from the hopeful. And when it comes to selecting images, he keeps returning to one word above all others – originality. Whether that means a behaviour or subject that’s never been photographed before, or simply a fresh perspective on something familiar, originality is what cuts through at the judging stage.

But before we give all of this hard-earned secret away, check out the latest video column from Henley Spiers as he tackles the all-important topic of entering photography competitions. And, with the window to get your submissions to this year’s Ocean Photographer of the Year competition rapidly closing, the timing couldn’t have been any more perfect.

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