12 - 18 years | RSPCA Young Photographer Awards

12 - 18 years

The 12 - 18 years category has the highest number of entries. If you are going to be 12 years or older on 6 September 2010 but under 19 then this is your category. All sorts of photographers enter - keen snappers who have been taking photos for years and those who have just taken it up as a hobby. It doesn't matter whether you take a trip to Africa or just to your local park, it is all about the mood and atmosphere you capture, not where you take it. However please remember that whilst we love receiving your great images we don't want you to put yourself in any danger getting that perfect shot, so when you are out and about snapping please don't ever put your safety at risk.

The winner of this category will win an exclusive RSPCA photoshoot with award winning wildlife photographer Andrew Forsyth as well as an amazing Olympus E-PLI camera, a stunning YPA trophy to keep and invite to the exclusive awards ceremony in Olympus E-PL1

December.

The Olympus E-PLI is a great camera if you are itching to take professional pictures but intimidated by SLRs. This camera has it all: high quality, point-and-shoot simplicity, and chic PEN design. Whether capturing an HD movie or snapping once-in-a-lifetime moments, its six special Art Filters let you paint the world from a new perspective. And with a 100% stabilised body for Olympus E_PL1

crisp shots with all lens types, an accessory port and a new integrated flash, the colourful E-PL1 really is ready for fun.

There is also one runner-up award for this category who will win a Olympus SP-800UZ camera.

Last year's winning picture of a Barn owl at dusk was taken by 18 year old Ryan Edwards. He had spent many a wet and drizzly day watching this particular barn owl, Amber, and his winning shot was one of many photographs he had taken. The judges loved the photo for it's composition and light quality and of course the subject, a true work of art.

So, if you're under 19 on 6 September 2010 then you can to enter this category. You can enter a maximum of five photos in this category, so choose them wisely.

Don't forget to include 100 words about your photo. This will be displayed if your picture is a finalist, so say where you took the photo, why you took it and give any details you think are amusing or tell the photo's story.

If you would like to support the RSPCA and its work then why not become a teenage member? For just £10 a year you will get four copies of animallife magazine, a great joining gift, the chance to be on the RSPCA's teenage committee and get your work published in the magazine. Check out the offering here.

A quick rundown of some of the rules...

Make sure you have taken the photo you entered; entering someone else’s photo is not allowed

If you are 16 or under you will be asked for a parents/guardians e-mail address when you register. An e-mail will then be sent to your parent/ guardian with a link to activate your account and agree to the rules, without this you won’t be able to upload photos

Do upload the biggest file you have of your photo, the bigger the better

Don’t photoshop or change your image, we like them just the way they are

Entry is free

Make sure you upload your pictures before 00.01am on Tuesday 7 September 2010 (GMT)otherwise it will be too late

Only create one account, if you create more than one you may be disqualified

There are many ways you can take a winning shot and each year we look for something different. The photos below have have all won this award in recent years.