Dust off your camera and polish your lens as The Argus launches photo contest

We want you to take a picture that encapsulates the feeling of summer and what it means to you.

That’s why we have launched One Summer’s Day – a photography competition to highlight the best of summer.

Anyone can enter, whether you are a seasoned professional or a keen amateur – or just someone who happens to be in the right place at the right time and snaps a great shot.

You don’t have to have top-of-the-range kit to take part, though, as you can see from the pictures our own photographers have taken over the years, it certainly helps.

All the pictures have to be taken on the same day: Sunday, June 21.

Our aim is to capture a range of images that reflect this day.

We are interested in pictures of people enjoying themselves in British summertime – whether that is a great sporting event such as a day at the cricket or a family enjoying themselves on the Downs.

It doesn’t have to be that way, though.

Ultimately, it should capture what a summer’s day means to you.

Even if it’s raining, don’t be deterred from getting your camera out on June 21 – that’s the English weather for you.

Argus editor Mike Gilson said: “One Summer’s Day is a perfect opportunity to record all that is good and joyous about our communities.

“It will be a perfect snapshot of what it means to live here, whether it be a great sunset or a family barbecue.

“We hope everyone will join in. You don’t need to be an expert photographer to take part.”

There are three prizes for adults – first, second and third place.

There is also a junior prize for those under 16.

So get ready to submit your pictures of this special day, whatever it has in store for us. Pictures should be sent by email to onesummersday@theargus.co.uk.

Snapper’s top picks from newspaper’s archives

Summer is a great time to be out and about with a camera – the days are long, the beer is cold and the air in Brighton is normally filled with the distinct whiff of barbecues, writes Argus photographer Liz Finlayson.
Picking pictures from our library to illustrate our new Argus Competition One Summer’s Day was not easy, but I gave it my best shot and pictured above are some of our more summery images.
Somehow two dog pictures have made it  – I’m not even that keen on dogs but Daisy the Dulux dog framed by Seaford’s colourful beach huts is hard to resist, as is the tiny Chihuahua squaring up to his much bigger rival, who fortunately took no notice!
Blooming wildflowers, frisky Geese and sailboats all make good summer subjects, as does anyone with a knotted handkerchief on their head, a rarity on beaches these days.
Of course no summer day in England is complete without a downpour, so if it rains non-stop on June 21 make the most of it.

ONE Summer’s Day is The Argus’s new photography competition. Anyone can enter by sending in pictures taken on Midsummer’s Day – Sunday, June 21.
We want you to picture some great images of British summer. It might be a lazy day in the sun at the park or on the beach, some summer sport or entertainment, or it might be a rainy day. Just try to capture what Summer means to you.
All entries need to be sent in as medium sized jpeg files, no GIF, PNG, TIFF or RAW files please.

Tips from Roger

One photographer who knows what it takes to snap a great shot is Roger Bamber, pictured below.
The 70-year-old has been a professional for 50 years, starting out on the Daily Mail before moving to The Sun and the Guardian.
He said: “You have to be very observant to produce a decent image.
“Look at people, the shapes of things and consider shadows. Just look at everything.
“There are so many things going on and so many people out; there are loads of different elements you can look at.”
The Brighton resident, who lives in Sillwood Road, also took pictures for the front of Bus Times, the timetable magazine issued by Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company.
On the advantages of summertime and photography, he said: “You obviously get more bright light. Sometimes you don’t always need the sun behind you. You can shoot into the sun – and if clouds are an interesting shape that adds to the image.
“You have loads of space on modern digital cameras so use it. Take loads of pictures.”
Roger has an exhibition taking place at the moment on Brighton seafront
Every Picture Tells is open daily at King’s Road Arches in Brighton from 11am to 5pm, until Sunday, June 14.
Entry is free.