Some links on what judges could be looking for in photo competitions, and what they’re board of too.
A somewhat irreverent piece written by David Schloss in Digital Photo magazine: https://www.dpmag.com/how-to/shooting/photo-contest-tips-from-the-judges/#
An excellent check-list of things to avoid in competition entries by Roger Wates from the Tonbridge Camera Club: http://www.pagbnews.co.uk/sites/default/files/newsletters/en105271213_JudgingSpecial.pdf