Artistic shutterbugs with an eye for stunning composition are being invited to show off their picture-perfect talents through our exciting competition.

Vibe has teamed up with Aperture Woolwich Photographic Society in a quest to find the best photographers, young and old, across Greenwich and Lewisham.

Whether it’s a pricey Nikon or a mobile phone you use to capture your subjects, we want to see what you can do behind the lens.

Our snappy contest is split into two categories, one for under 18s and one for over 18s, and the theme for pictures is Greenwich and Lewisham during the Olympics 2012 which is open to interpretation from our entrants.

Marshall Pinsent, chairman of Aperture, will be one of the judges along with vice chairman Stu Mayhew, celebrated photographers Fergus Noone and Mike King and Nikki Jarvis, editor of Vibe.

He said: “There will be lots of things to photograph without being at one of the events during the Olympics.

“We are all affected by it – everyone living in neighbouring boroughs.

“This is an opportunity for people to give their impression.

“I’d be interested in street photography during that time because that’s where some of the humour will be – there will be lots of opportunities to capture the atmosphere.”

Entrants will have between May 1 and August 20 to email in their pictures and winners will be announced in September.

Marshall, 53, adores taking pictures of landscapes and hopes this competition will inspire people to consider the composition of their photos.

He added: “With everyone having a camera on their mobile phones, most people have the ability to take pictures - we are all doing it.

“We’re swamped in images.

“Hopefully this will get people to think a little bit more about photography.

“My advice to entrants would be to try and tell a story with your picture, especially with street photography.

“Show us what you found interesting about that scene.”

Where some may think the key to the perfect picture is good equipment, Aperture believes the subject matter is the vital element.

“We are much more interested in the finished picture than the way it got there.” Marshall continued.

“There are two things I’ll be looking for as a judge – humour and witty photographs amuse me but in my own work I’m like Fergus Noone in that I’m quite attracted to pictorial work.

“I’ll probably turn to jelly when I see a beautiful sunset.

“I’m easily pleased.

“We may be a bit tougher on the adult category but we’re not necessarily looking for the most professional photographer – the winner may be someone who’s just picked up a camera for the first time.”

The graphic designer has been the chairman of Aperture, now in its 120th year, for around five years.

Since then he has seen the club go from six members to more than 60.

He said: “I’ve not taken the perfect picture yet, I’m always chasing it.

“You get a huge kick out of it – it’s addictive.”

The judges are all very excited to see what special moments, emotions and landscapes our readers capture during this unique place in time.

Editing is permitted using, but Marshall added: “If anyone cheats and drops a false sky into a picture, we will know.

“There’s nothing wrong with being creative, blurring pictures to show something moving at speed for example.”

Entrants can send in a maximum of two pictures saved as jpegs, no more than 1024 pixels wide or tall, to vibepics@woolwichphotographic.com

THE JUDGES

Fergus Noone

Born in Dublin, Fergus came to London to work as a photographer in 1985.

Initially working from a market stall, by 1996 he had opened his gallery in the Art & Craft Market in Greenwich.

Success came quickly, and within a short time it was listed by the London Evening Standard as one of the top five photographer's galleries in the city.

The gallery has now moved to 34 Montpelier Vale, Blackheath.

Alongside local Greenwich and London subjects, the wide and varied selection of Fergus Noone's photographs reflects his travels throughout the UK, Ireland, Europe and further afield.

Mike King

Mike has worked for The Sunday Telegraph and a host of other publications and has covered all the major international sports events including the World Cup and The Olympics.

Mike has been the winner of Sports Photographer of the Year.

He is now freelancing and is one of the most respected sports photographers in the country.

His shots are instantly recognisable as he has captured some of the most iconic moments in sports over the last 30 years.

Marshall Pinsent

Chairman of Aperture Woolwich Photographic Society, Marshall is a keen photographer has had images featured in a host of photography magazines and exhibitions.

He recently came runner up in the Classic View category in the coveted Landscape Photographer of the Year.

Stu Mayhew

Vice Chairman of Aperture Woolwich Photographic Society, Stu is currently the KCPA Winner of the Premier Award and Mick Smithson Shield and has had images featured in magazines, exhibitions and Landscape Photographer of the Year.

THE PRIZES

Over 18s:

1st - One year’s free membership to the club, an engraved glass plaque and a framed print of the winning picture

2nd prize - A certificate and large mounted print of their picture

3rd - A certificate

Under 18s:

1st - A studio photography tutorial session (at our club studio)* with an opportunity to take a photograph of members of their family, a disc of images from that session, an engraved glass plaque and a framed A3 print of their winning picture

2nd - A certificate and an A3, mounted print of their picture

3rd - A certificate

*under 18s who visit the photography studio must be accompanied by an adult