APOY 2011 Round Two ? Inside a Building

Your chance to enter the UK?s most prestigious competition for amateur photographers

Last month saw the launch of Amateur Photographer of the Year 2011 and after a fantastic response to Round one, Shooting trees, we?re ready to announce Round two, Inside a Building. For this round we?re looking for entries that explore the theme of interior architecture. The image can be taken in an urban or rural location, but it must be taken inside a building. We want you to explore the theme as widely as possible ? a lofty barn can be just as creative, for example, as the interior of a majestic cathedral. The winner of Round two will receive a fantastic Canon EOS 60D plus EF-S 18-135mm IS lens.

Remember that we award points for technical excellence, interpretation of the theme and creativity. Below you?ll find some tips on shooting interiors, plus a table outlining the themes for future rounds, the closing dates and the issues in which the results will appear. The closing date for this round is 25 March.

photo by Mat Gallagher

The top three prize winners from Round two will each receive a fantastic Canon camera (see below for details) and the top 30 highest scoring images will appear in AP 30 April. The scores from the top 50 images will be published on our website.

So for a chance to win the prestigious Amateur Photographer of the Year 2011 title and £5,000 worth of Canon equipment as overall prize, send your entry to us now. Visit the link below to find all the rules for entry, terms and conditions, and the disclaimers that must be copied and pasted into an email entry.

Unfortunately, we only accept entries in the form of prints, slides or emailed digital files ? no discs. Remember to include your address and a daytime telephone number with your entry, plus a couple of sentences telling us where and how you took your image. It may be dreary and grey outside, but opportunities to shoot exciting interiors abound! See below to find out more.

Round two – Inside a Building

For our second APOY round we?d like you to get creative with your camera indoors. The weather outside may be temperamental, but there?s nothing to stop you shooting under cover. Whether you choose to photograph inside your own home or a museum, church or gallery, this round provides lots of potential for imaginative compositions. From old-fashioned, elegant interiors with light streaming through a window, to atmospheric, cosy cottages and sleek buildings with a modern twist, the possibilities are endless. We?re looking for images that interpret the theme in an exciting way, so once you have chosen your location, think carefully about how you can frame your shot to make the most of that place and the equipment you?ll need. Perhaps a wideangle lens is needed to emphasise the scale of the space, or maybe a longer lens to pick out interesting detail in a corner. If you are in a public place remember to check the policy regarding photography, especially if you are planning to use a tripod. As with any subject, there are technical and creative choices that need to be made. Here we?ve provided some hints and tips to help you on your way.

Photo by Mat Gallagher

Exposure

Ensuring you achieve the correct exposure is key. As always, there are several things to consider. Limited light may require a higher ISO or longer shutter speed, and if this is the case a tripod may be necessary. The light may be contrasty and could confuse your camera so you may need to set your exposure manually or use exposure compensation where necessary. Mixed light sources ? artificial and natural window light? will also need careful handling in terms of white balance.

Photo by Richard Sibley

Lens choice

One of the main things you?ll need to think about is what lens you are going to use to capture the scene in front of you. The lens you choose can make or break your image. If you are using a wideangle lens you need to be aware of distortion; conversely, if you are shooting with a telephoto zoom lens try shooting at different focal lengths and see how this affects the balance of subjects in the frame. Choose your vantage point carefully as this also has a considerable part to play in how your final image will look.

Photo by Gemma Padley

Composition

While the technical aspects are important, don?t forget to think about your actual composition. What you choose to include or leave out is equally important as getting your exposure right. How can you combine shape and pattern? How does the light interplay with form? This is your chance to be creative so go for it!

1st prize

Our first-placed winner will receive AP?s Product of the Year 2011, the 18-million-pixel Canon EOS 60D with EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens worth £1,299.99. You can produce stunning stills or Full HD movies using the EOS 60D?s vari-angle LCD screen and advanced creative features that include a toy camera effect and soft focus. And when light levels fall, the EOS 60D offers an ISO range of up to 6400 that is expandable to 12,800 for those environments where using flash is undesirable. Meanwhile, the EF-S 18-135mm lens covers a 29-216 (35mm equivalent) range and offers a multi-purpose zoom range from wideangle to telephoto, featuring a 4-stop Image Stabilizer and six-blade circular aperture.

2nd prize

Our second-placed winner will receive Canon?s 14.1-million-pixel PowerShot SX30 IS and case, worth £476. The SX30 IS has a huge focal range thanks to its 35x zoom, while the ultrasonic motor allows you to zoom fast, silently and accurately. Other features include 720p HD movie capability, a 4.5-stop optical Image Stabilizer and 6.8cm (2.7in) vari-angle LCD screen.

3rd prize

Our third-placed winner will receive Canon?s PowerShot SX130 IS and case, worth £222. The 12.1-million-pixel SX130 IS has a 12x zoom (equivalent to 28-336mm in 35mm), a 3in LCD, and smart auto and easy modes that detect 28 scene types. High-quality movies can also be recorded in HD 720p format with stereo sound and optical zoom.

Please visit the APOY11 home page to find all the rules for entry, terms and conditions, and the disclaimers that must be copied and pasted into an email entry.

This round closes 25 March 2011

In association with Canon