The hunt to find the best wildlife photo

If you're a young photographer, a dedicated amateur or even a professional, you can submit your photos to the 52nd Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition from 4 January.

Run by the Natural History Museum in London, this is one of the most prestigious photographic competitions in the world, showcasing the very best in nature photography. Hundreds of images are submitted and the winning shots are seen by millions around the world.

Applicants can submit up to 25 images at £30 per person. Young photographers (aged 17 or under) can enter up to 10 images for free. Submissions can be made online from 4 January to 25 February.

An international jury of experts including entomologist and wildlife photographer Piotr Naskrecki, German photographer Klaus Nigge, and Roz Kidman Cox will critique each entry to select 100 winners.

"I am already excited by the anticipation of revelatory images in the 2016 winners," commented Lewis Blackwell, chair of the jury. "Last year's entries captured previously unseen aspects of the natural world, giving us remarkable insights and making us look at the familiar with fresh eyes. As chair of the jury, I feel immensely privileged to help lead a competition that really helps celebrate wildlife and spotlight key issues. It is important that we encourage photographers everywhere, of all ages, from top professionals to aspiring amateurs."

Visit the website www.wildlifephotographeroftheyear.com for further information on categories, prizes and how to enter.

Bee-eaters (Photo: Carlos Perez Naval, Spain – 2014 Winner, 10 Years and Under).