Take your shot at the 2023 Hunter Photography Prize

Sunset Photobomber - Bar Beach, by Sandra Kempe.

Bar Beach Dreaming, by Angelo Cosgayon.

Good Morning Flight Over Brokenback Range, by John Gralton.

The Journey, by Rheannon Murray.

Emerging, by Michelle Faithfull.

Christmas Eve Fennell Bay Lake Mac, by Renae Patterson.

Our Backyard, by Linda Taylor.

Light Play on the Beach, by Jason Klingberg.

Boat Harbour, by Simon Hunt.

A Beach Safari at Birubi, by Rebecca Parker.

Boat Harbour Backflip, by Nicole Sternbeck.

Happy at Horseshoe, by Susan Francis.

Nobbys Head in the Cloud, by Anna McKendry.

Beach Colours, by Jeremy Partridge.

First Light - Redhead Beach, by Matthew Goodwin.

Two Kookas, by Susan Francis.

Ready For Takeoff, by David Mulhearn.

Marina by Night, by Denise Tucker.

Pigeon Posers on the Arcade, Newcomen Street, by Peter Vorlicek.

Happy herd, by David Williams.

Lulu and Sharlette Love a Game, by Glen Barry.

Pluggers, Merewether Ocean Baths, by Matthew Goodwin.

Tower, by Frank Loveridge.

Beach Blocks, by Jeremy Partridge.

Ripples, by Lauren Fletcher.

Bee On Window, by Jeff Charlton.

Cheers to Peace, by Julie Nichols.

Mount Tomaree Silhouette, by Rheannon Murray.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow, by Jessica Snow.

Keep Out, by David Mulhearn.

Merewether Beach, by Ray Tucker.

Coasting, by Jeremy Partridge.

Bonnells Bay Sunrise, by Peter Kranz.

Nobbys, by Simon Hunt.

Nature's Christmas Baubles, by Jennifer Bailey.

Salamander Jetty, by Ray Tucker.

I Just Love Summer, by David Williams.

Quintessential Merewether, by Maree Gleeson.

Merewether Baths, by Adrian Catt.

Lake Sailing, by David Mulhearn.

BLACK POINT SUP-ING: Picture by Cameron Cannon

Jura Night Sky: Picture by Peter Abery

STILL: Picture by Richard Tonkin.

Entries can span as far as the foothills of Barrington: Picture by Eugene Koen

Entries are now open for this year's prize: Picture by Alexander Hills

THROWBACK: Picture by Eugene Koen

Hoverfly on a flower: Picture by Mat Kekevski

SKATER: Picture by Jeremy Partridge

EARLY MORNING FISHING TRIP: Picture by Paul Bateman

HAVING A WHALE OF A TIME: Picture by Sondra Munro

SUBMERGED: Picture by Josie Emslie

FARM CAR: Picture by Matthew Goodwin

ELLA: Picture by Neil Stevens

DIRECT HIT: Picture by Stephen Keating

Three Fishermen: Picture by Jack Phillips

Australian Summer - Ashtonfield: Picture by Amy Parkinson

SNOW ON BURNT TREES: Picture by Mal Cruz

Colours of yesteryear: Picture by Julianne Lewis

POOL FUN: Picture by Annette Holmes

Curious Rakali: Picture by Chontelle Burns

TWO CLASSICS: Picture by Brock McFadyen.

SUMMER FUN: Picture by James Sagi

Dawn arrival: Picture by David Watson

DAY'S END: Picture by Richard Hogan

Radar Station at Ash Island: Picture by Edward Lovelock

Newcastle beach storm front: Picture by Eileen Power

LEST WE FORGET: Picture by Sara Dowling

GOOD MORNING REDHEAD: Picture by Terina Vale

LOSTOCK DAM: Picture by Matt Alexander.

CHRISTMAS DAY AT REDHEAD 2021: Picture by Dianne English

LUNCH RUSH: Picture by Jim Griffiths.

Life as an eight year old: Picture by Christine Rutter.

IN FULL FLIGHT: Picture by Richard Hogan.

Goodbye Frazer until next time: Picture by Sue Moore.

TIDAL POOL DAZE: Picture by Beth Wright.

LOFTY VIEWPOINT: Picture by Carolyn Gillard.

DESERT BLUR: Picture by Chris Chappell.

FAMILY CHRISTMAS: Picture by Sandra Kempe

SUNSET ON THE ANZAC SKYWALK: Picture by Lauren Murray.

AFTER THE STORM: Picture by Stephen Lewis

CRACKING SUNRISE: Picture by Chris Smith.

SUNSET HAIR: Picture by Don Anderson.

MOON ON THE HARBOUR: Picture by Jim Mackenzie.

SUMMERTIME BLUES: Picture by Helen Ure.

CHRISTMAS CAROUSEL: Picture by Amanda Aalto.

SUNSET: Picture by Chris Smith.

SUNSET OVER LAKE: Picture by Graham Paterson.

FEELS LIKE HOME: Picture by Erin Kelly.

CATHERINE HILL BAY: Picture by Ray Woods.

FISHING AT SUNRISE: Picture by Anton Graham.

Sunrise through the arches: Picture by Nicholas Bucci.

BEACH WALK: Picture by Dianne English.

THREATENING CLOUDS: Picture by Peter Dunkley.

MORNING AT HONEYSUCKLE: Picture by Anton Graham.

Sunrise at the Obelisk: Picture by Susana Ramos.

Comet 2021: Picture by Peter Langdown

Running into Summer: Picture by Erin Kelly

RED SAIL: Picture by Chris Smith.

CATCH OF THE DAY: Picture by Jack Nicholson.

Merewether Baths: Picture by Emily Rose Davies.

Swash at Dudley: Picture by Massimo Brogi.

Brace for impact: Picture by Sorin Timis.

NOBBYS: Picture by Mark Armstrong.

MEREWETHER DAYBREAK: Picture by Cian O'Hagan.

HARVEY AND HIS DUCKLING: Picture by Catherine Waterton.

SPARKS FLY: Picture by Nic Tonks.

SUNSET AT WARNERS BAY: Picture by Steven Wisnie.

GREEN ESCAPE: Picture by Natalie Sumner.

Stormy afternoon: Picture by Cory Pringle.

Isolation Walks: Picture by Jenny Baxter.

KANGAROOS: Picture by Emily Rose Davies.

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER FUN: Picture by Deborah Skillen.

The Lucky Reflection: Picture by Peter Vorlicek.

IMMINENT: Picture by Sorin Timis.

MISTY MORNING VINEYARD: Picture: Alexandra Scott

HAPPY LAB AT SUNRISE: Picture: Sue Wilson

BATHS CLOSED: Picture: Kerri Mitchison

Lockdown Dreaming: Picture: Nic Tonks

SUMMER FEELING: Picture: Angela Hadchiti

SUNRISE AT MARMONG POINT: Photo: Danielle Lochrin

Somewhere over the rainbow: Picture: Rebecca Hopkins

Picture: Nicholas Bucci

Picture: Jenny Baxter

Picture: Chris Kewley

Picture: Joel Manns

Picture: Chris Kewley

Picture: Jenny Baxter

Picture: Nicole Frostick

Picture: Nicole Adele Armitage

SATURDAY ARVO: Picture by Chris Kewley.

Stormy Sunset - Glenbawn Dam: Picture by Sharna Parkinson.

Fishing in stormy weather: Picture by Tamara Boswell.

ICONIC NEWCASTLE: Picture by Nimity Keon.

Fiddling In The Flowers: Picture by Ted Elks.

Tawny Frogmouth: Picture by Chris Smith.

Man's best friend: Picture by Cian O'Hagan.

THUNDERSTRUCK: Picture by Chris Smith.

SUNRISE SURFER: Picture by Caroline Dixon.

BREACH: Picture by Kerri Mitchison.

PERSPECTIVE: Picture by Erin Kelly.

THE DAWN SWIMMER: Picture by Steven Dick.

ROVERS IN THE CLOVER: Picture by Danielle Stewart.

SHARK TOWER STORM: Picture by John Shaw.

THE PADDLER: Picture by Simon Hunt.

Rathluba Sunset: Picture by Helen Ure.

Dancing with the birds: Picture by Jenna van den Berg.

TURTLE: Picture by Chris Smith.

Ssssssurprise it's me!: Picture by Geneine Moylan.

Sunrise on the break wall: Picture by Anton Graham.

THE VOW AT SUNSET: Picture by Don Anderson.

JUST LANDING: Picture by Ted Elks.

STICKY BEAK: Picture by Nicole Frostick.

Desert blur - Manguri: Picture by Chris Chappell.

FLYING INTO THE SUNSET: Picture by Don Anderson.

GULL LANDING: Picture by Don Anderson.

SIMPLICITY: Picture by David Watson.

Tomaree Dawning: Picture by Ross Carroll.

GRACEFUL PELICAN: Picture by Margaret Coan.

jezebel butterfly: Picture by Jack Nicholson.

PARK PLAY: Picture by Jenni O'Donoghue

ominous clouds: Picture by Rod Daniels.

STOCKTON SUNRISE: Picture by Chris Smith.

ONE OF THE BIRDS: Picture by Jenna van den Berg

Jimmy in Poppys Garden: Picture by Emma Burns.

THE BREAKWALL: Picture by Richard Tonkin.

NELSON BAY SUNSET: Margaret Coan.

THE FAST & THE FOCUSED: Picture by Lee Pigot.

SALT LAKE: Picture by Chris Chappell.

RYAN CALLINAN WARMING UP: Picture by Dianne English.

BIRD OF PREY: Picture by David Powis.

URBAN VISITOR: Picture by Alison Hamilton.

RED SUNSET: Picture by James Baker.

SUNSET SAILING: Picture by Jenny Baxter.

AIRSHOW: Picture by David Powis.

FOLLOW THE LEADER: Picture by David Watson.

FAMILY FUN: PIcture by Nathan Biasutti.

BUSH BANDIT: Picture by Jenny Elks.

WINDY SKIES ON THE FARM: Picture by Ian Osland.

DAY AT CATHO: Picture by Elizabeth Glover.

CHRISTMAS EVE: Picture by Lianty Jonas.

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT: Picture by Sandra Kempe.

SIMPLY MAJESTIC: Picture by Ann Hill.

BACKYARD VISITOR: Picture by Dianne English.

DOG BEACH: Picture by Matt Alexander.

VANISHING POINT: Picture by Wayne Bissett.

Aussie baby's first swim: Picture by Cathy Smith

Summiting Mount Royal: Picture by Wayne Bissett

Sentinel - Lake St Clair: Picture by Kerrie Bissett

FLOODS IN SCONE: Picture by Christine Rutter

FOLLOW ME: Picture by Richard Hogan

IT'S ALWAYS SHINING ON NOBBYS: Picture by Vicki Dunn

Teddy bears picnic in garden: Picture by Margrietha Owens

Beach Pebbles: Picture by Amanda Frost

EXPERIENCED GARGOYLE FOR HIRE: PIcture by Geoffrey Douglass

Close Up and Personal: Picture by Melissa McMellon

LORIKEET'S LUNCH: PIcture by Amy Parkinson

Turning 101 in the year of COVID: Picture by Doug Saxon

MY MERMAID MOTHER: Picture by Mathilda Katzmarski

SUNRISE SURPRISE: Picture by Ursula Kahts

LIFE AFTER THE FIRES: Picture by Crystal Wells

TALENT: Picture by David Williams

Barney walks on water: Picture by Jeff Lewin

TRACKS TO RELAX: Picture by Richard Cortis

Merewether Baths 2: Picture by Bob Todd

Summer colours: Picture by Crystal Dederer

RECKON you can cram 1000 words or more into a single photograph?

For Jim Griffiths, it was a lucrative skill. His documentary image of three beachgoers, sprawled in the midday sun, titled 'Between Lockdowns', caught the judges' eye in last year's Hunter Photo Prize from a field of 40 finalist entries. The shot impressed with its authenticity and timeless aesthetic that seemed to hint at a bygone era of photography from before the digital revolution.

Now it's your turn - what will you capture?

The Newcastle Herald and other Australian Community Media newspapers across the Hunter are searching again for our best backyard photographer.

Jim Griffiths' beach shot that won last year's Hunter Photo Prize.

The annual Hunter Photography Prize is open to residents of the Hunter Region. As in previous years, to be eligible your main source of income cannot be derived from photography.

Photographs must either be taken in the region or feature Hunter people. You can take your pictures with anything ranging from a Box Brownie to your trusty smartphone. The overall winner will collect the 2023 Hunter Photography Prize.

TOP SHOT: Amateur photographer Megan Willis of Woodrising won last year's 2021 Hunter Photo Prize. Picture: Megan Willis

Our judges will select the winner as well as a highly commended entrant. The judges' decisions are final. A readers' choice award will be voted via newcastleherald.com.au.

A selection of entries will be published in print editions and/or on the websites of the Herald and other mastheads, including the Maitland Mercury, Port Stephens Examiner, Singleton Argus, Cessnock's Advertiser, Dungog Chronicle, Muswellbrook Chronicle, Scone Advocate and Hunter Valley News.

Winners receive camera prize packages from Domayne @ Harvey Norman Kotara. The judges' selection receives a Nikon D7200 camera kit with an 18-140mm lens (valued at $1000) while people's choice will receive a Canon G9XII Silver ($490).

By entering the competition, a person is stating the photograph was taken by them and that they own the copyright. The photographer gives Australian Community Media and the associated titles permission to publish their submitted photographs in any form, including print, online, book, calendar or exhibition. The photographer retains the copyright.

PEOPLE'S CHOICE WINNER 2021: This shot captured by Jack Dowler, 16, during an east coast low at Nobbys break wall has won the 2021 Hunter Photo Prize people's choice category.

How to enter

To enter email photoprize@austcommunitymedia.com.au (maximum five photos, as JPEG attachments).

Write your name and "Hunter Photography Prize" in the subject field.

All entries must list the author's name, address, email address and phone contacts.

Please note that not all photo entries will be published. Photos must be minimum 500KB and maximum of 2MB. Australian Community Media reserves the right to crop a photograph.

The judges will include Newcastle Herald senior photographer Simone De Peak, Newcastle Herald editor Heath Harrison, Newcastle Herald senior deputy editor Xavier Mardling, Newcastle Herald deputy editor Matt Carr and Newcastle Herald digital journalist Simon McCarthy, as well as Hunter Communities editor Anna Wolf.

The competition closes at 5pm on Thursday January 26, 2023. Winners will be named in print and online on the following two Saturdays.