Here is our 5th weekly gallery of images entered in the Irish Times Amateur Photographer of the Year Awards.

With the closing date just over three weeks away now is the time to consolidate those entries and get them in to us.

Keep an eye out for the People’s Choice prize, which will open in June.

Meanwhile, here’s a reminder of the categories and prizes - don’t forget there are two main prizes of €1,000. The competition judges will open a shortlisted selection from the competition to public vote and readers can chose their favourite image. The competition judges make their selection from competition entries and readers can vote for their favourite image.

The prize sponsor, Bermingham Cameras,has provided us with a prize of a €500 voucher for photographic equipment from their store. This will be presented to one lucky reader who chooses the winning image, and the photographer who took the photo will receive a bespoke, hand-crafted trophy.

Photographers may enter photographs under the seven different categories listed below:

Monochrome

An exploration of the techniques of black & white photography which might (though not limited to) look at surface texture, form and shadow. The judges will be looking for images with real impact. Images may be captured on film or digitally and a reasonable degree of darkroom technique, whether with chemicals or digital techniques is allowed provided that the main subject is not distorted.

Awards:

• Irish Times Monochrome Photographer of the year: Gold Medal
• Irish Times Monochrome Photographer of the year: Silver Medal
• Irish Times Monochrome Photographer of the year: Bronze Medal

Colour

An exploration of colour and how it can be used to create photographs that have real impact. The judges will be looking for images where the photographers display flair and an understanding of the special and often subtle relationships between different colours to create vibrant and interesting photographs. In this category the use of digital manipulation techniques and filters is acceptable.

Awards:

• Irish Times Colour Photographer of the year: Gold Medal
• Irish Times Colour Photographer of the year: Silver Medal
• Irish Times Colour Photographer of the year: Bronze Medal

Open

The Photographer may use any technique available to create creative, interesting and impactful images. Judges are looking for photographs that demonstrate originality and creativity. In this category the use of digital manipulation techniques and filters is acceptable. There are no restrictions.

Awards:

• Irish Times Creative Photographer of the year: Gold Medal
• Irish Times Creative Photographer of the year: Silver Medal
• Irish Times Creative Photographer of the year: Bronze Medal

Travel

An exploration of an area’s landscape, people, cultures, customs and history that expresses the feeling of a time and place, portrays a land, its people, or a culture in its natural state. The judges will be looking for images that give real insight. Images may be captured on film or digitally and a reasonable degree of darkroom technique, whether with chemicals or digital techniques is allowed provided that the main subject is not distorted.

Awards:

• Irish Times Travel Photographer of the year: Gold Medal
• Irish Times Travel Photographer of the year: Silver Medal
• Irish Times Travel Photographer of the year: Bronze Medal

Nature

Nature photography is restricted to observations from all branches of natural history, except anthropology and archaeology, in such a fashion that a well informed person will be able to identify the subject material and to certify as to its honest presentation. Any form of manipulation that alters the truth of the subject is prohibited. No techniques that add to, relocate, replace or remove pictorial elements except cropping are permitted. Any manipulation or modification to the original image is limited to minor retouching of blemish and must not alter the content of the original scene.

Awards:

• Irish Times Nature Photographer of the year: Gold Medal
• rish Times Nature Photographer of the year: Silver Medal
• Irish Times Nature Photographer of the year: Bronze Medal

Street

Candid or posed images of human activity in public places, in urban or rural environments, reflecting life today. The judges will be looking for fresh and original images in any style whether classic or contemporary. Digital manipulation other than image processing for quality or colour balance is not permitted in this category. Images may be colour or monochrome.

Awards:

• Irish Times Street Photographer of the year: Gold Medal
• Irish Times Street Photographer of the year: Silver Medal
• Irish Times Street Photographer of the year: Bronze Medal

Portrait

Judges will be looking for photographs of a person or group of people that displays the expression, personality, and mood of the subject. The focus of the photograph can be (though are not limited to) the person’s face; the entire body and the background may also be included. Images may be captured on film or digitally and a reasonable degree of darkroom technique, whether with chemicals or digital techniques is allowed provided that the main subject is not distorted.

Awards:

• Irish Times Portrait Photographer of the year: Gold Medal
• Irish Times Portrait Photographer of the year: Silver Medal
• Irish Times Portrait Photographer of the year: Bronze Medal

Recognition

A selection of the best images entered each week will feature, fully credited, in special picture galleries at irishtimes.com/photography

Photographers work will be published - and fully credited - in the Irish Times in both the online and print editions to promote the competition.

The Photographs for publication will be selected and published by the Arts and Culture Editor, Laurence Mackin in conjunction with the Irish Times Picture Editor and competition chairman, Frank Miller and Deputy Picture Editor Brenda Fitzsimons.