KEEN amateur photographers are being offered the opportunity to capture the special qualities of the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Following the success of their first photographic competition in 2014, Rural Action Yorkshire, the Howardian Hills AONB and The Yorkshire Arboretum have teamed up to organise this year's event.

The competition is being supported by Joe Cornish Gallery, McClarrons Insurance, Castle Howard, The Yorkshire Arboretum and HPE print.

Up to two entries can be submitted to each category; landscape, flora and fauna, history and heritage, living and working in the AONB and young photographer. An exhibition of the finalists photos will be held at the Yorkshire Arboretum in Spring 2017, there will be prizes for the winners in each category, and an extra prize for the best image in any category taken at the Yorkshire Arboretum.

Anne Ainsley, Visitor Services Manager at The Yorkshire Arboretum said: “Being at the centre of the AONB, the Arboretum is a great place to display the finalists’ images and to enable visitors to enjoy them. We are really looking forward to seeing our beautiful area through entrant’s eyes and to working with Rural Action Yorkshire and the AONB on this project”

The competition is open to all amateur photographers, whether they enter competitions regularly or have never considered entering one before. Shortlisted entries can be taken on phones, compact cameras and DSLRs - it’s the ability to be in the right place at the right time to capture a good image that matters. The organisers are also encouraging as many entries as possible from local children.

Liz Bassindale, Howardian Hills AONB Officer said:“The competition gives people the opportunity to look more closely at the Howardian Hills. A wide variety of photos can be entered, from a landscape image celebrating our Autumn colour to a close up photo of a small insect or a picture of a family group exploring the area.”

The competition is now open for entries and the closing date is January 10, 2017. Judging will take place at the end of January with finalists being notified early February. Award winning photographer Steve Race (Yorkshire Coast Nature) and professional landscape photographer Janet Burdon (RJB Photographic) have kindly offered to take part in the judging process.

All photographs must be taken within the Howardian Hills AONB and a full set of competition rules and a map of the AONB area is available at www.ruralyorkshire.org.uk or for more information you can email Maggie Farey maggie.farey@ruralyorkshire.org.uk