Press Release:
BBC News website launches its BBC News Photographer of the Year 2006 competition today.

The overall winner will be given the title of BBC News Photographer of the Year and the chance to shoot a photo-based story of their choice to go on display on the BBC News website.

There will also be a separate prize given to the photograph that most catches the eye of the BBC News website team.

Phil Coomes, the BBC News Website Picture Editor said:
"Our readers love to look at pictures and this is a chance to see their own work featured on the BBC News website. Last year we had over 12,000 entries, many of which were really strong and made the selection of twelve pictures for each round really tough."

With a tip for readers wishing to enter this year's competition he added:
"The trick is to work around the subject, don't just go for the obvious and really push your photographic skills."

Here are the categories competition hopefuls can enter their pictures under and the closing dates for entry:

Categories	Closing date
Shelter	02/08/2006
Rock n Roll	09/08/2006
Uniform	16/08/2006
Technology	23/08/2006
Love	30/08/2006
Look up	06/09/2006

Following the closing date for each theme, the twelve best pictures will be selected by our picture desk and displayed in a picture gallery on the site. BBC News Website readers will then be asked to vote for their favourites.

The two photos that get the most votes will go forward to the final when readers will decide who is awarded the title of BBC News Photographer of the Year.

Last year's final was very close-run, with the eventual winner being JP Trenque. Martina Brandsetter came a close second. Both pictures attached.

To enter the 2006 competition, snappers should send their pictures to the BBC at: yourpics@bbc.co.uk

Competition details can be found by going to: www.bbc.co.uk/inpictures from the 18th July 2006.

Entrants need to put ‘Photographer of the Year’ plus their chosen theme in the subject heading of their e-mail, as well as including their name and some background information on what their image is about.

Submissions must be in digital form; ideally Jpeg files with a height or width of around 800 pixels. Specific questions about the competition can be addressed to the BBC picture editor at the ‘yourpics@bbc.co.uk’ e-mail address.