Picturesque pastel coloured seaside cottages; cows lazing in summer haze; soaring mountains; a red kite gliding elegantly; weathered stone walls… just some striking images of the Welsh countryside that would be enough to inspire anyone to reach for the camera!

A new photographic competition is being launched by The National Trust in Wales on the theme “The Welsh Countryside” – on one of the following subjects: wildlife / landscape / farming / buildings. The photograph doesn’t have to be of a National Trust building or on Trust land (which is just as well as the NT does not allow photography for commercial reasons, including stock or editorial, on its property – Editor).

Entrants will compete in one of three categories – Open; Under 18; or National Trust Tenants – and will have the chance to win £1,000 worth of prizes, supplied by the UK’s leading photographic retailer, Jessops.
Entrants will also be able to take advantage of 30 free photo reprints at Jessops stores.

The photographs will be judged by Chris Lacey, Manager of the National Trust’s impressive photo library. He offers some hints on what makes a great photo: “By thinking creatively and looking at things in a different way, you can really bring things to life in a photo. I’ll be looking out for the correct exposure (so images which show details in the darkest and lightest areas); that the subject is of interest, which is eye-catching; that the focal point of the image is sharp; colour balance, and that the image provokes an emotion or feeling.”

The winners will be announced at the National Trust’s stand during the Royal Welsh Show (21 – 24 July), where a selection of the best photographs will be displayed.

Digital pictures need to be 7” x 5” at 300dpi

The closing date of the competition will be 9 July 2008, and entries can be sent digitally to: [email protected] or posted to: The National Trust, Trinity Square, Llandudno, LL30 2DE.