If you’re a budding photographer you simply have to enter this once in a lifetime competition. Your camera will never forgive you if you don’t (nor will your best friend!)

Our good pals at Emu have come over all generous and agreed to send one lucky reader and friend to Australia to experience the ultimate road trip, and capture the trip as a photo story in Cooler. Amazing. All you have to do is send in the best travel photograph you’ve ever taken to {encode=”[email protected]?subject=”Emu Australia Comp” title=”[email protected]”}. The winner, as chosen by surf photographer and regular Cooler contributor, Lucia Griggi, will be announced in Issue 17 of Cooler (on sale January 24 2009).

This amazing prize includes two return flights to Melbourne (to be taken February–March 09) and spending money of £1,000. Woo hoo! The winners will travel to Geelong, home of Emu, to pick up a pair of complementary Emu boots each, before heading to Bells Beach to begin their road trip. The photo story of their trip will appear in a future issue of Cooler. The runner up will win a pair of Emu boots.

Competition judge Lucia Griggi gives us her five top tips for shooting a road trip:
1. Get a cool, fun team together for the road trip.
2. Be spontaneous and don’t plan too much! Stay open to the opportunities the open road brings you, as locals may suggest places, which aren’t in your original plan or in travel guide books.
3. Think about the type of results you’re looking for – vintage bleached out shots, vivid nature shots, action shots and so on. Practice with your camera before the trip until the technical stuff comes as second nature. Also think about the time of day you’re shooting. But as mentioned before being spontaneous will also bring happy accidents and surprises.
4. If shooting on digital ALWAYS back up your images everyday, especially if you’re in remote areas. Remember to look after your kit at all times, as expensive gear can go walkies when travelling!
5. Most importantly Terms and conditions smile and have FUN!

For more info on Emu visit emuaustralia.net; for more info on Lucia Griggi visit luciadaniellagriggi.co.uk

Terms and conditions
Entrants must be over 25 years of age and in possession of a clean driving license to drive, though a bus trip is available as an alternative for those under 25. Entrants must be residents of UK, France or Germany. Judge’s decision is final. Please send the image as lowres. Only one photo can be entered per person. Flight dates subject to availability, and exempt from public holidays.