To help you get started, click here for a collection of tips from the editors at National Wildlife magazine. Suggestions include topics from how to photograph flowers or small animals to how to get a sharper image.

If you are feeling a little competitive, you can enter your nature photographs in National Wildlife Federation’s 40th annual photo contest. The contest offers cash prizes totaling more than $30,000, as well as other gifts to be awarded to winners from seven categories in three separate divisions: professional, amateur and youth.

Winners will be published on NWF’s website and a selection will appear in the December 2010 issue of National Wildlife magazine.

Click here to learn more and to enter the contest. The deadline for entering the contest is July 6.

If you are interested in entering, you might want to watch a video with the federation’s David Mizejewski. “How to Win a Nature Photo Contest” can be watched here.

Photo galleries of last year’s winners and honorable mentions can also be found on the National Wildlife Photozone website.

Cash prizes totaling more than $30,000, including two $5,000 grand prizes. Those and other gifts will be awarded to the winners in seven categories in three separate divisions: Professional, Amateur and Youth. Winners also will be published on the federation’s Web site and some will appear in its December 2010 magazine.

Participants can submit up to 25 images in seven categories. The entry deadline is July 6. The winners will be announced in November.

To enter our contest, you:

• Must be at least 13 years old

• Possess a valid credit card

• Have your own photos in digital format (information on sizing and how to upload will be given)

• Can provide descriptions and stories behind your photos

• Have an email and mailing address

Click here to learn more.