Smithsonian magazine’s seventh annual photo contest allows the magazine and its readers the chance to see the world through your unique lens. After sixth competitions, Smithsonian editors have seen over 89,000 photographs from more than 90 countries around the world.

So, what makes a photograph a Smithsonian winner? Technical quality, clarity and composition are all important, but so too is a flair for the unexpected and the ability to capture a picture-perfect moment.

Contestants may enter photographs in five categories; The Natural World, Americana, Altered Images, Travel and People. Each represents subjects of special interest to the magazine. Fifty finalists will be selected, ten for each of the five categories. Smithsonian will notify the 50 finalists by February 28, 2010. From these 50 finalists, five category winners and a grand prize winner will be selected. The entries of all winners and finalists will be published on the magazine’s Web site on February 28, 2010. At that time, readers can vote online for one readers’ choice winner. The winning entries and select finalists will be published in the print edition of Smithsonian magazine during summer 2010.

Category winners will be awarded $500. The readers’ choice winner will be awarded $500. The grand prize winner will receive a four-day, three-night Smithsonian Journeys Grand Canyon Weekend Adventure for two, or the wholesale cash equivalent.

DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 16TH DECEMBER 2009