The N&O’s annual travel photo contest is here. Until Dec. 16 at 11:59 p.m., we’ll accept entries in three categories: Scenery, People and North Carolina. Winning entries will be published in the Jan. 6 Arts & Living section!

How it works

Enter your image in the appropriate category. One entry per person. Once the voting begins, send your photo to all your friends via Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, etc., and have them vote. The image with the most votes overall will be the "Readers' Choice" for the contest. The News & Observer's panel of judges will choose the top photo in each category and a Best Overall.

Voting

Voting will start on Dec. 17 and go through Dec. 28 at 5 p.m.

Prizes

The top photo in each category (as chosen by the judges) will win a coffee-table book. The Best Overall will win a $50 Visa Gift Card. The Readers' Choice will win a $25 Visa Gift Card.

Guidelines

Photographers: The contest is open to amateur photographers from The News & Observer’s readership area. Winners of the 2011 contest may not enter. Only one entry per person is allowed (not one per category).

Contest year: Photos must have been taken between Dec. 31, 2011, and Dec. 16, 2012.

Images: Photos can be color or black and white. Photos must accurately represent the subject; no digital manipulation is allowed. Images must be submitted electronically through triangle.com. Please do not mail or e-mail entries. Images should be 200 DPI files that are 10 inches wide or 10 inches deep.

Details: Your registration information (name, address and phone number) will not be posted on the website. Only your user name will appear. In the description, tell us the location and date of the photo and how you happened to take it. You have up to 50 words.

Scenery and People: Photos in these categories can be taken anywhere in the world.

North Carolina: Photos can be taken anywhere in the state.

No purchase necessary. One valid entry per contestant.

You must be 18 years of age or older at time of entry to be eligible for this contest. This contest is void where prohibited by law.

Winners will be notified by email. If a winner is unreachable after seven (7) days, or if that winner is unavailable for prize fulfillment, an alternate winner will be selected. If The News and Observer cannot find an eligible winner for the prize, that prize will not be awarded.

Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.

Automated voting of any kind is not allowed. Detection of said automated voting will lead to votes being voided.

The News and Observer reserves the right to substitute any prize with another prize of equal or greater value.

Employees of The News and Observer, its respective parent, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising sponsors and promotional agencies, and the immediate family members of each are not eligible.

Contest entrants agree to abide by the terms of these Official Rules and by the decisions of the contest commissioners, which are final on all matters pertaining to the contest.

Entrants further grant to The News and Observer the right to use and publish their proper name and state online and in print, or any other media, in connection with the Contest.

The News and Observer reserves the right to use any and all information related to the Contest, including information on contestants obtained through the contest, for marketing purposes or any other purpose, unless prohibited by law.

The Contest and all of the related pages, contents and code are copyright, UPICKEM, Inc., and/or The News and Observer. Copying or unauthorized use of any copyrighted materials, trademarks or any other intellectual property without the express written consent of its owner is strictly prohibited.

Each winner, by acceptance of the prize, agrees to release all Sponsors, and their parent and subsidiary companies, their officers, directors, employees, agents, shareholders, affiliates, suppliers, distributors, and advertising agencies from all liability, claims, or actions of any kind whatsoever for injuries, damages, or losses to persons and property which may be sustained in connection with the receipt, ownership, or use of the prize.

UPICKEM and The News and Observer are not responsible for Internet crashes or slowdowns caused by network congestion, viruses, sabotage, satellite failures, phone line failures, electrical outages, natural disasters or acts of man or God.

All results posted are unofficial until winners respond to e-mail notification.

Each winner is responsible for all federal, state and local taxes and will be required to complete an IRS form W-9. Sponsor reserves the right to withhold prizes until completed form W-9 is received.

This contest is not intended for gambling. If it is determined that a contestant is using the contest for gambling purposes they will be disqualified and reported to authorities.

The News and Observer reserves the right to change the rules at any time.

This contest is officially sponsored by triangle.com & The News and Observer.