NEW ZEALAND GEOGRAPHIC magazine has launched the 2010 version of its celebrated Photographer of the Year competition.



There’s $6000 cash to be won across three categories – Wildlife (sponsor Lowepro), Landscape (BioPaints), and Society & Culture (Auckland International Airport).



The overall NZ Geographic Photographer of the Year (Nikon) wins $2000 and a creative contract with Getty Images.



There’s also a Young Photographer of the Year (Getty Images) with a prize of $1000 and coaching under the NZ Geographic Trust Young Guns programme.



The judges are Rob Suisted (Wildlife), Arno Gasteiger (Society & Culture) and Andris Apse (Landscape). The convenors of judges are NZ Geographic editor James Frankham, plus a representative of Getty Images.



Amateurs, professionals and students are invited to take part. Entry to all categories is free and copyright remains with the photographer. To enter, see NZ Geographic July/August or visit www.nzgeographic.co.nz/photocomp.



Last year, bcg2/Blackwood CEO/ECD James Blackwood distinguished himself with a runner-up award in the Wildlife category.