Release Issued by Olympus:

Take A Shot - Young Photographers Must Snap To It To Win Competition

Pooch portraits, a chick pic or a snap of a red snapper: weird and wonderful animal photographs such as these are wanted for the RSPCA Young Photographer Awards 2006 (YPA06) – and there’s only a month to go.

The deadline for the competition, sponsored by Olympus and printing company Warners Midlands, is on Monday 4 September. Prizes include:

· Olympus digital cameras
· A day on a photoshoot with the RSPCA
· The chance to attend a glitzy award ceremony hosted by wildlife photographer Chris Packham at the Natural History Museum, London.

Now in its 16th year, the RSPCA Young Photographer Awards are attracting an ever-increasing number of entries and the standard gets better each year. Suitable subjects range from family pets and British wildlife, to pictures of animals from around the world.

Wildlife photographer, TV personality and YPA06 competition judge Chris Packham said: "Get out and about with your cameras this summer and experiment with different subjects and styles. Don't be afraid of the familiar. Take photos of animals around you, such as your pets, wildlife, and insects in the garden - but try and make your picture stand out. The standard of photographs always astounds me and I can't wait to see this year's selection."

And there’s more great news for young animal lovers! Animal Action, the RSPCA magazine for animal-mad kids, will be available in all WH Smith stores across the country from next month. The retailer will be stocking the bi-monthly title, aimed at children up to 13 years old, in all 544 of its stores until the end of the year.

Entry Details:
Entries for the main YPA06 competition are divided into two different age groups: under 12 and 12-18 years. The winner from each age group will win an Olympus digital camera worth £300 and four runners-up will each receive a high-quality camera from the Olympus range, worth £150.

The best overall picture will be chosen from all the entries. The winner will receive a top of the range Olympus digital camera worth £500 and the chance to join the RSPCA on an exclusive photoshoot for a day.

The Olympus portfolio prize rewards an individual whose body of work shows consistent quality. Entrants should pick five pictures that display their photography skills and make a great collection of images. One winner will receive a top of the range Olympus digital camera worth £500.

Prizes will be presented by Chris Packham on 15 December at a special award ceremony at the Natural History Museum in London.

For more information, visit: www.rspca.org.uk/ypa. Not only is there information about the competition, but you can also view the gallery of winning pictures from previous years and read Chris Packham’s tips about how to take a winning shot.