The search for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2008 has begun.

Closing date
Monday 31 March 2008 for online submission. Monday 24 March 2008 for postal submission.

Categories for the 2008 competition

The title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2008 will be given to the photographer whose single image is judged to be the most striking and memorable of all the entries. The winning photographer will receive a cheque for Ł10,000, which will be presented at an awards ceremony at the Natural History Museum, London, in October 2008.
Prize Ł10,000

This award encourages and rewards the talents of young photographers between the ages of 18 and 26. You must submit a portfolio of 10 images that you think represents your best work.
Prize: Ł1,000

This highly important award raises our awareness of endangered species through photographic excellence. The images must be memorable and capture the spirit of the subject.

The species photographed must be categorised in the 2007 IUCN Red List as critically endangered or endangered, vulnerable or near threatened at an international or national level (if the latter, please supply details).
Prize: Ł1,000

This award seeks to highlight the interaction between humans and the natural world. Images should demonstrate the power and resilience of our planet and its impact on us. They can also show our connection with, dependence or effect on the natural world. Images can be graphic or symbolic, but must be thought-provoking, memorable and encourage respect for our world.
Prize: Ł1,000

Photographer’s Award for Lifetime Commitment to Wildlife Photography New for 2008.

This award will be given to the photographer whose work and commitment to wildlife photography is considered worthy of commendation. This can either be through the sheer power and beauty of their imagery or the positive impact the imagery has made. All entrants can nominate candidates for this award.

You can enter up to three digital images or colour slides in each of the following categories.
Each category has a first prize of Ł500 and a second prize of Ł250.

1. Animals in Their Environment
Images entered in this category must be powerful and memorable, showing the relationship between the animal subject and the place it lives in or the environment in which it is pictured.

2. Animal Behaviour: Birds
Submissions must show memorable, unusual or striking behaviour. As with all categories, originality is key.

3. Animal Behaviour: Mammals
Submissions must show memorable, unusual or striking behaviour. As with all categories, originality is key.

4. Animal Behaviour: All Other Animals
Submissions must show memorable, unusual or striking behaviour. As with all categories, originality is key.

5. The Underwater World
Images must feature marine or freshwater life. With around 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface under water, the scope here is huge.

6. Animal Portraits
Portraits should capture the character or spirit of the subject and focus on it. The key here is striking originality.

7. In Praise of Plants
This is the category for pictures that highlight the beauty, diversity and importance of all forms of plant life.

8. Urban and Garden Wildlife
Urban wildlife can often be overlooked, but can be a wonderful source of unusual and striking compositions of wild animals or plants in urban settings.

9. Nature in Black and White
Digital, slide or print images can be submitted to this category. The subject can be any wild landscape, animal, plant or other living organism. The judges will be looking for skilful use of the black-and-white medium.

10. Creative Visions of Nature
Photographs should reveal new ways of seeing natural subjects or scenes, representing them in an imaginative or abstract way. Judges will be looking for originality and artistic vision.

11. Wild Places
Entries must show scenes that are truly wild and awesome. They should convey a sense of wonder and wildness and be taken in wild and/or remote places.

If you’re 17 or under, this is your part of the competition. You can enter up to six images - digital, prints or slides - of any wild animals, plants or landscapes. The judges will be looking for original, beautiful or striking shots rather than rare or exotic subjects. Creatures or places near home that you know well or have easy access to are good choices of subject. The way you frame and crop your subject is as important as getting the focus right, and the level and type of light is a vital ingredient.

This title is awarded to the young photographer whose image is chosen from the three winners of the age categories below. He or she will receive a prize of Ł500 and a day out with a well-known wildlife photographer.

You can enter up to six images (colour prints, slides or digital images on CD) in your age category. The winner of each category will receive a prize of Ł250 and the runner-up a prize of Ł100.

Deadline: March 31, 2008