A £10,000 first prize is up for grabs in this year's Landscape Photographer of the Year competition? Founder and photographer Charlie Waite gives his advice on how to stand a chance

WE'RE all guilty of overlooking what's on our doorstep, and that's certainly the case when it comes to appreciating nature.

Proof that you don't have to travel far to find stunning scenery, the annual Landscape Photographer of the Year competition celebrates wild views around us.

Entry for this year's competition closes on July 8, with a £10,000 first prize up for grabs. We've selected some previous winning shots to provide inspiration:

Gateway to Autumn, New Forest National Park, Hampshire, England by Mik Dogherty (Commended 2016)

The Northern Echo:

Photographers are fortunate that Britain benefits from seasonal variation, which provides a constantly changing colour palate. Unifying colours, such as these russet tones of autumn, create a strong image. The use of a device, in this case a gate, leads viewers on to explore the different planes of the image and suggests the idea of moving from shelter into the wider world.

Shelter from the Storm, Loch Stack, Sutherland, Scotland by Dougie Cunningham (Category winner 2016)

The Northern Echo:

Don't always assume you need bright sunlight for landscape photography. The weather is key to the mood of the final image and advance planning and patience are invaluable. Be prepared to wait for the optimum moment, especially in fast-changing conditions. Experiment with positioning and be brave with the main point of focus; the widely adopted 'rule of thirds' can be broken and sometimes a central position is the best one.

Opium Poppies, Durweston, Dorset, England by Jake Turner (Commended 2016)

The Northern Echo:

Consider subduing foreground detail by placing in shadow, which creates a platform on which the rest of the image can sit, giving a theatrical, stage-like effect. The 'golden hour', which occurs post-dawn and pre-dusk offers long shadows ideal for landscape photography.

Sunshine breaks through, Ribblehead Viaduct, North Yorkshire, England by Francis Taylor (Network Rail Award 2017)

The Northern Echo:

If you are fortunate to have cloud interest, relating this to foreground detail can create a cohesive and pleasing whole. The main feature doesn't always have to dominate the frame.

Buttermere Perfection, Cumbria, England by Ashley Gerrard (Commended 2016)
Seek a reflection that is as immaculate as possible and ensure that the mirrored image is complete and not truncated. A reflection is always slightly darker than its source, so don't be tempted to lighten it in post-production, as the human eye will be aware of the anomaly.

Gunnerside, North Yorkshire, England by Jon Martin

The Northern Echo:

Look for patterns and punctuation in the landscape, and make use of the shadows thrown by features such as walls. Rectangles, diagonals and squares are used here to fragment the frame in a balanced and pleasing way, and the mist subdues and conceals a background that would interfere with the simplicity of the scene.

  • Anyone interested in entering the competition can find details at www.take-a-view.co.uk.