Shutterbugs: time to enter the Amateur Photographer of the Year Awards

From the smartphone user and the keen amateur to the "art" photographer, all are welcome to enter The Irish Times Amateur Photographer of the Year Awards – provided, of course, they do not make their living from photography. We established these awards to give amateur photographers of all stripes a platform and to recognise the very best work with cash prizes.

The strong panel of judges this year come from many disciplines, but we are all passionate about photography. This year’s winners will be chosen after a long process of debate and soul-searching.

I have been given a sneak preview of entries so far by our partners, Picturk. Here are a few that have caught my eye.

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A Piece of the Sea by Lisa Griffin, Tipperary town

In the monochrome section I really like Mon3 by Felicia Simion, a warm and funny image that makes good use of shadow, form and texture. In the same category, Fountain Fun by Rob Whittaker is lively, with a nice abstract quality; and Andrew Gilmore's study on Sandymount Strand makes clever use of a broken mirror.

In the Colour section, Melanie O'Reilly's Companion Crow has elevated what could be phone snapshot to a higher level by intelligent composition and use of colour. Eoghan O'Connell's Red, a study of earth and roots, works partly because it avoids using too many clashing colours, a common mistake in this category. Brian Dunlea's intriguing study of a sleeping pig is a pleasure.

In the Open category, Lisa Griffin's A Piece of the Sea is a very nice study of subject, lighting and tone.

In the Nature section, Gary Cummins's study Incoming! combines close-up with action.

In the Street category, Mark Dignam’s

NY Graffiti

captures street colour, smartphone style.

Get snapping: a judge’s tips

Take time to prepare and think about your entry, and enter your images in the correct category.

Trust your judgment. Enter pictures you like, not ones you think might catch the judges’ attention.

Avoid visual cliches. The judges will have seen it all before, so if you revisit a well-worn theme make sure you bring something new to it.

If you use Photoshop, use it as a digital darkroom to enhance your image quality without distorting the subject. Read the rules and be aware that overuse of digital manipulation could disqualify you.

Do not enter images with watermarks: your copyright will be respected and usage of your images will be in accordance with the rules of the awards.

Give your image a title and any other relevant details.

Upload the highest resolution allowed.

Enter the Irish Times Amateur Photographer of the Year 2013 here