Win a photo commission

... and a Canon EOS5 SLR. `The Independent' in association with `Wanderlust' magazine wants your best travel pictures

TIME IS running out: you have 19 days to stake your claim as travel photographer of the year. Each Saturday, these pages carry articles and photos designed to inspire the traveller. We believe amateur photographers should have a chance to dazzle.

For the past two years, The Independent has teamed up with the travel magazine Wanderlust, to offer prizes of high-quality camera equipment and a photographic commission from The Independent. Last year, the standard of entries was outstanding. This year, the prizes are even better: we have brought in one of the best names in photography, Canon.

If you've captured a strong image from somewhere in the world, it could qualify for one of three categories: Urban Life, Rural Life and Wild Life.

The top 30 shortlisted entries will be displayed at Destinations '99, the travel exhibition to be held at Earl's Court from 18-21 February next year.

Canon will present the overall winner with an EOS5 SLR with 28-1351S lens - recommended retail price a total of pounds 1,200 - while Bellingham will provide a photo rucksack and Ventile vest (RRP pounds 280). The Independent will offer the winner a UK-based photo commission.

The two winners of the other categories will each receive an EOS IX with 24-85mm lens (RRP pounds 600) plus a Billingham Photo Original Hadley bag. (RRP pounds 87.50). Three runners-up will win a Canon Sure Shot 60 Zoom Kit worth pounds 90, and a Billingham Small Hadley camera bag (RRP pounds 75).

You must enter before the end of 1998 - send sae for an application form to: Wanderlust (Photo of the Year), PO Box 1832, Windsor SL4 6YP. Or find the form in the new fifth-anniversary Wanderlust (pounds 2.80).