Weird World Photo Competition

There’s nowt so queer as folk, they say. Unless it’s animals. Or festivals. Or possibly buildings, signs or food...

OK – the world is simply awash with oddities. Which is why Wanderlust is teaming up with your favourite travel book publisher, Bradt (www.bradtguides.com), to create a tome of images capturing the curious: strange foods, weird wildlife, bizarre buildings, freaky festivals or peculiar transport.

And that’s where you come in – Wanderlust readers, the world’s most intrepid travellers. You get out there to delve into the planet’s cracks and crevices, and you take the photos to prove it.

We want you to send us your oddest pictures from around the planet – and we’ll be showcasing the most off-the-wall in the new book, to be published in autumn 2009. You don’t have to be a professional photographer – it’s the content of the photo that’s important, not the quality.

We're looking for images to fit in the following categories:

• Food, drink & shopping

• Art & architecture

• Transport

• Natural world (animals, plants & landscapes)

• Signs & menus

• Just plain odd!

And to thank you for your efforts, everyone who sends in images will be entered into a prize draw to win great prizes. If your photo is printed, you’ll receive a free copy of the book as well as the chance to win a fabulous photography weekend with Travellers’ Tales.

So start sifting your photos for the strangest shots – or get out there and get snapping.

How to submit your photos

• Email your digital images, saved at the largest file size (maximum 10MB per email) to: weirdworld@wanderlust.co.uk

• Post your prints or transparencies to: Weird World, Wanderlust, PO Box 1832, Windsor SL4 1YT. If your prints are from digital files, please include a CD of the original files, labelled with your name.

If you’d like your photos returned, please include an adequately stamped, self-addressed envelope. Mark prints and transparencies with your name and address (on a label, not directly on the print or mount).

However you send your photos, remember to include a separate caption sheet carrying the following information:

1. Brief description of each image: tell us what made the subject so unusual – the story behind the shot (maximum 50 words)

2. Location of the image

3. Your name, address, email address and daytime phone number

DEADLINE EXTENDED! The closing date for entries is now 31 January 2009.

Please read the full Terms and Conditions here before sending us your photo.

Here are some great examples from the entries we've already received: