So, what next after LRPS?

It didn't take me long to discover Gurushots (check out the app) which filled the gap nicely for me. Gurushots gives you stacks of photo competitions every day. The idea is you enter competitions, and, depending on how well your images perform, you move through the different ranks with the ultimate aim of becoming a photo'Guru'. Needless to say, this suited my ridiculously competitive (and some might say obsessive) nature perfectly.

I moved up through the ranks pretty quickly until I became a Master. Next step - to become a Guru! I was determined but prepared for this to take some time. To succeed I needed to:

1. Gain points in a number of competitions - this was a case of entering lots of competitions using a wide range of photos accumulated over the last few years. I had a great time finding images that met the different competition criteria

2. Have your images chosen by a Guru 5 times - these are called Guru picks. I have actually had 14 guru picks now. It is such a great feeling when a Guru choses one of my photographs! 

3. Actually win a competition! I thought this would take forever and was amazed when, about 3 weeks later, my most recent flower photograph actually won. 

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Here's my prize winner!

This image of an aster taken at Upton Gardens in Northamptonshire was Top photo winner in the competition called 'September's latest and greatest"

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These are my 'Guru picks'

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This shot has been Guru picked 3 times now -  in the competitions 'Camouflage', 'Colourful animal kingdom' and '12 hours'

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Guru pick in 'Traditional windmills" 

4mouse

Guru pick in 'Small animals'

6Peopleinthe rain

Guru pick in 'Its raining'

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Guru pick in 'Your portfolio'  Robin

Guru pick in 'Starts with an r' Lighthouse at Amble

Guru pick in 'Lighthouse' (not the most original title lol)

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Guru pick in 'Starburst'.

Other images that have done particularly well are:

waterfall

This one finished 6th in 'Waterfalls'

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This surprised me by coming 15th in 'Risky' - just shows, its always worth having a go!

So now I'm a Guru which means I can actually set challenges and nominate Guru picks.