The Beaches Leader has launched its first-ever summer sports photo contest. This is your opportunity to showcase camera skills, compete for prizes and get your work published in the paper.

There are just a couple of simple rules: Submitted photographs must relate to sports or recreational activities, and each photo must be accompanied by a note identifying who is in the picture and who was behind the camera.

To keep things fair, we request that professionals refrain from entering the contest. We define a professional as someone who derives a portion of their income from photography.

Also, no Photoshopping or other digital manipulation other than cropping or slight sharpening. This contest is about photography, not about one’s expertise with graphic applications.

How can you submit a photo? The first, and most preferred way, is via e-mail. Simply send a .jpeg file of your photo along with the pertinent information to sports@beachesleader.com.

Another method of entering the contest is to drop off a copy of your photo at our office, located at 1114 Beach Blvd. in Jacksonville Beach. For those arriving after hours or on weekends, there is a mail slot located next to the front door.

The third method of submitting entries is the good old U.S. Postal Service. Place photo and information in an envelope and mail it to The Beaches Leader, Attn: Photo Contest, P.O. Box 50129, Jacksonville Beach, Fla. 32240.

As we receive photos, we’ll determine which ones are production quality and run them weekly on our sports pages. Then, toward the end of summer, we’ll publish the best of the best and determine winners.

Prizes (most likely cash) will be awarded for the top submitted pictures.

Be as creative as you like but here are a few basic tips that may help in getting a jump on the competition.

1. Check camera batteries before leaving home. Sounds simple, but can often be overlooked.

2. Try to keep the sun at your back — in other words on your subject — when shooting.

3. Don’t be afraid of your camera’s flash, even on sunny days. The flash can help illuminate faces and minimize shadows. That’s always a good thing.

4. A good rule of thumb: If you’re not happy with your pictures, move closer. If your camera has a zoom feature, use it.

5. Anytime you have the ball and a facial expression in the frame, you’ve got a winner.

6. Many of the best sports pictures are made after the play is over, so don’t stop shooting. Capturing action is great; getting a shot that shows emotion can be even better.

7. Look for the offbeat. Crouch down for a different angle or try to shoot something from overhead. That’s a sure way to make your entry stand out.

The most important rule, of course, is to have fun with this contest. It costs nothing to enter and there’s a good possibility your photos will make into print. There’s a sense of satisfaction seeing a picture you’ve taken published for all to see.

The Beaches area provides plenty of opportunities for good sports photos for those willing to take advantage.

Surf contests, triathlons, ocean swims, youth swimming leagues and instruction, skateboarding, kids soccer leagues, softball, baseball, instructional camps and fun runs are just some of the events scheduled to take place in our community this summer. All offer the chance to take that contest-winning picture.

So get out there and start taking those memorable photos. We look forward to seeing what you come up with and publishing results in future issues.