The Washington Trails Association will soon be accepting entries for its sixth annual Northwest Exposure photo contest.

This is your chance to show off your fantastic photos of hiking locations in Washington and help the association protect them, said a new release from the group.

The Northwest Exposure event draws attention to the beauty found on Washington’s trails, said WTA spokeswoman Lauren Braden. That helps build support for the trail advocacy group’s efforts to maintain the state’s extensive trail system.

Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place in five different categories, and a grand prize winner will appear on the cover of the January/February 2009 issue of Washington Trails magazine.

Photographers may submit only one photo in each of four categories: wilderness landscapes, hikers in action, flora and fauna and offbeat outdoors.

Photographers 17 years old or younger may also submit one photo in the young photographers category. The contest is open to all photographers, except for Washington Trails Association employees, contest judges and their families. Photographs must be taken in Washington.

Catagory descriptions, prizes, contest rules and online submission form can be found online at www.wta.org starting Sept. 1. All entries are due no later than Oct. 17.

The News Tribune