Top Tips

Some advice on taking better pictures from the judges...

1. Shoot in both portrait and landscape format

Taking pictures of the same scene with your camera positioned both horizontally and vertically will increase your chances of finding the best composition. It's easy to simply take a picture by holding your camera horizontally (in 'landscape' format), but shooting both formats is a great way to take a fresh look at the world.

2. Frame your subjects the right way

Great framing starts with careful consideration of the subject you're shooting and the type of feeling you want your picture to communicate. There's not much point in filling the frame with a subject if you want to convey a sense of space. And where do you place that subject? In the centre? To the left? Maybe at the top? Stick to these guidelines and you won't go far wrong.

3. Watch the background A messy background is distracting. Even the professionals at one time have taken a picture with lampposts or branches growing out of people's heads. It looks awful. Having a good scan around the viewfinder before you press the shutter release and a quick change in camera angle is the answer.

Competition categories

10 years and under

11 to 14 years

15 to 17 years

Too old for Young POTY?