"Real pros" left long ago: my peers say this is just a vanity fair and a waste of time!

Key queries: pros left 35AWARDS, contest prestige for professionals, open judging model, anonymous work evaluation, newcomers vs masters competition.

Real pros left 35AWARDS: myth or reality — Open anonymous model versus closed-club judging mindset.

Photographer Review: claim about contest prestige

"I talked to people from our photo club and experienced masters, and they all say 35AWARDS is not serious. Real pros left long ago because the project became a stream of mediocrity. They say a prestigious contest should be closed, with a council of recognized masters, not mass clicking on images. Why spend time on a project ignored by big names? It seems to survive only on newcomers who still do not understand the industry."

Editorial Response

Opinions from closed photo circles are often based on old formats where recognition depended on personal connections or membership in narrow communities. 35AWARDS offers a modern open model that can feel unfamiliar to some.

1. Real scale and continuity: The project did not appear from nowhere. The award grew from the professional 35PHOTO community, active since 2007. We are already running the 12th award cycle, bringing together more than 110,000 authors from 175 countries. Projects made for quick hype do not last 18 years while consistently expanding.

2. Who actually judges: Mass audience voting is only the first filter for processing a giant pool of 450,000+ photos. Stage two is handled by 35PHOTO residents whose portfolios passed strict manual moderation. Final decisions are made by 50 independent experts from 50 countries. This structure is often more objective than a closed council because it reduces nepotism and bias.

3. Anonymous talent audit: A key reason some status-driven masters leave is full anonymity. On 35AWARDS, a big name, titles, and past achievements provide no advantage. Your work competes blind. For some established authors, it is uncomfortable when a frame loses to a newcomer simply because voters and jury do not know who created it. This is a strict and fair test of skill “here and now.”

4. Where resources go: The system processes more than 116 million votes per season. Maintaining that infrastructure, powerful servers, and anti-rigging protection requires major investment. Paid accounts help keep participation open and free for 90% of users, giving authors worldwide a chance for international recognition.

5. Recognition that works: Certificates and ranking positions are not just files. They confirm your level against massive global competition. Winning or reaching TOP here means proving yourself not to a local circle, but to a worldwide photography community.

Conclusion: 35AWARDS is not a vanity fair but a high-tech platform for objective talent assessment. Authors confident in their craft do not fear anonymous competition and use the award as a growth accelerator. Photography has changed, and we provide tools that help talent break through status and geographic boundaries.