The RSPCA Young Photographer Awards 2008 is a prestigious UK photographic competition for under 19s. Anybody aged under 19 on 1 September 2008 can enter their photographs of any animal, large or small. The competition is divided into four categories: under 12 years, 12 to 18 years, pet personalities and the Olympus portfolio. The RSPCA competition is offering the winners some superb prizes including the opportunity to join the RSPCA on an exclusive photoshoot and top Olympus cameras. The deadline for entries is Monday 1 September 2008.

Olympus Press Release

Monday 16 June 2008 - Young snappers in the frame for prestigious industry awards

Young photographers can put themselves in the frame to win a prestigious national photographic competition for under 19s, which could see their work being showcased at an exclusive awards ceremony in London.

The RSPCA Young Photographer Awards 2008 (YPA08), sponsored by Olympus and printing company Warners Midlands, is now open to budding photographers who can show off their animal shots to thousands of people.

It has never been easier to enter, thanks to the new YPA08 website, which was launched for this year’s competition. Photographs and details can be uploaded within seconds of logging on to www.rspca.org.uk/ypa

The competition is offering the winners a host of superb prizes including the opportunity to join the RSPCA on an exclusive photoshoot and top Olympus cameras to ensure many more outstanding images in the future.

Anybody aged under 19 on 1 September 2008 can enter their photographs of any animal, large or small. They can be taken anywhere from a back garden bird table to the savannahs of Africa.

Thousands of youngsters enter the competition each year and another bumper turnout is expected for 2008. The competition is divided into four categories: under 12 years, 12 to 18 years, pet personalities and the Olympus portfolio.

The Olympus portfolio category gives photographers the chance to dazzle the judges with a collection of five images, all with a running theme. The winner will be awarded an Olympus E-420 D-SLR camera and two lenses.

The pet personalities category will return after a successful debut at last year’s awards. The category challenges entrants to take a picture that captures their pet’s unique character and personality. The tough Olympus Mju 1030SW camera - which is waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof and crushproof – will be presented to the category winner.

Joining the panel of judges this year is Jean Hosking, managing director of nature picture agency FLPA, which won the British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies Best Photo Agency Award 2008. The specialist nature agency was founded by Jean’s father Frank Lane more than 50 years ago and now represents more than 250 photographers worldwide.

Jean said: “What a privilege it is to be invited to help judge the RSPCA Young Photographer Awards and to get a chance to see the work of new up and coming animal photographers.”

The deadline for entries is Monday 1 September 2008. More information, winning entries from previous years and top tips from wildlife photographer Chris Packham and RSPCA chief photographer Andrew Forsyth are available by logging on to www.rspca.org/ypa.

1.    Entries must be received no later than Monday 1 September 2008 and should be sent to: YPA08, Publications Department, RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 9RS. Entries can also be submitted to the YPA08 website www.rspca.org.uk/ypa
2.    Entrants must include name, age, address and the category they are entering as well as a maximum of 100 words describing their photo on an accompanying note. We are very sorry, but we cannot return photos. A photo cannot be entered into more than one category, but all photos are eligible to win the overall prize.
3.    Full details of the competition, together with rules, can be found on the website.
4.    Entries for the YPA08 competition will be divided into four different categories: under 12 years, 12-18 years, pet personalities and the Olympus portfolio. The best overall picture will be chosen from all the entries.
5.    The overall winner will receive an Olympus digital E-420 camera, two lenses, a YPA08 trophy – plus the chance to join the RSPCA on an exclusive photoshoot for the day.
6.    The winner of the Pet Personalities category will receive an Olympus 1030SW.
7.    The Olympus portfolio will reward an individual whose body of work showed consistent quality. Entrants should pick five photographs that display their photography skills and make a great collection of images. One winner will receive an Olympus digital E-420 camera, two lenses and a YPA08 trophy.
8.    The winner of the under 12 years category will win an Olympus SP-570 UZ camera and YPA08 trophy. There will be four runners-up prizes of Olympus FE-350 cameras.
9.    The winner of the 12-18 years category will win an Olympus SP-570 UZ camera and YPA08 trophy. There will be four runners-up prizes of Olympus FE-350 cameras.

YPA08 Judges:
Andrew Forsyth – RSPCA chief photographer
Jean Hosking – managing director of nature picture agency FLPA
Ernie Janes – photographer specialising in nature and wildlife
Sarah Evans – editor of Animal Action magazine
Philip Warner – managing director of Warners Midland plc
Jerome Demare – marketing communications manager at Olympus
Harjit Sohotey – PR executive at Olympus
Henry Macaulay – RSPCA head of press and media
Louise Stevens – RSPCA head of brand and publications

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