The search to find the best photography of the British landscape and that of the rail network is on. Entries are now open for the Take a view - Landscape Photographer of the Year Awards 2012.

Photographers across Britain are being encouraged to showcase the best sights the country has to offer.

For the third year, Network Rail is supporting this competition where amateurs and professional photographers can highlight the very best imagery of Britain’s beautiful rural and urban scenery and compete for the top prize of £10,000. The competition, now in its sixth year, is the idea of renowned landscape photographer, Charlie Waite, and the best images will be displayed at an exhibition at the National Theatre in London.

An additional prize will be given for the best photography of Britain’s rail network – The Network Rail ‘Lines in the Landscape’ Special Award. Last year’s winner was Shahbaz Majeed from Dundee, with a beautiful shot of a train passing over the Tay Bridge at dusk.

Tom Kelly, Network Rail’s director, corporate communications said: “This competition celebrates something very special: the way this country looks in all its different ways, some changing, some not. I am delighted that the railway, which forms such an important backdrop for both the urban and rural landscape in so many places, should be a part of it, and look forward with anticipation to seeing the entries.”

Charlie Waite, competition founder is keen to encourage more people to enter the railway award. He said: “Judging this Award is a great pleasure for me as Britain’s railways have always been close to my heart. Network Rail looks after an amazing 20,000 miles of track and owns over 2500 stations and so the photographic opportunities are endless. I will be looking for an image that captures the spirit of today’s railways, be they in the busiest cities or most remote countryside. Details, urban views and sweeping tracks are all eligible and I am hoping to see many photographs that inspire.”

This year’s winner of the Lines in the Landscape award will receive a prize of a weekend break and has the option of joining a flight in Network Rail’s inspection helicopter which has onboard infrared technology to monitor thousands of miles of track, or a ride on the New Measurement Train, a converted high speed train that is used to capture geotechnical track data safely, punctually and reliably, collecting real time data and clocking up 80,000 miles per year. Either prize would offer a unique photography opportunity not open to the public.