Next time you stroll along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail -- a 29-mile path that wraps around parts of the Monongahela, Allegheny and Ohio rivers -- you might want to carry a camera with you to capture the moment. Your artistic eye could prevail in a new photography challenge sponsored by Friends of the Riverfront, a community outreach group that works to preserve Pittsburgh rivers while promoting opportunities to enjoy them.

The Three Rivers Heritage Trail photo contest calls amateur and professional photographers alike to submit snapshots of trail life for a chance to be featured in next year's widely distributed Trail Map and Guide. With a circulation of 50,000 that extends throughout Allegheny County and into the neighboring counties of Fayette, Washington and Beaver, the 2010 map will display the winning photographer's handiwork along with his or her name and face.

In addition to the recognition, the winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to OTB Bicycle Café, a bike trail restaurant in the South Side that displays old Heritage Trail maps and memorabilia.

Thomas Baxter, executive director of Friends of the Riverfront, said contest coordinators purposefully avoid publicizing too many rules or recommendations for entries.

"Be fresh and think outside the box," he said. "Your own ideas are the best. Just go out there and take a few pictures ... you'd be surprised at which ones turn out to be unique and unusual."

However, he suggests shooting during morning or evening hours since they often create more compelling lighting.

Baxter explained that the contest is an attempt to encourage community involvement in the trail and appreciation for the way it serves Pittsburgh.

"We want to engage more people and embrace the community," he said. "We hope it will foster a sense of ownership in the trail and support for its development."

Trail maps are also published in an interactive online version at www.friendsoftheriverfront.org. From an environmental standpoint, Baxter encourages people to use the online version since printed maps require more resources to produce. In either case, the group takes precautions -- printed maps are made on recycled paper and delivered by bicycle instead of car.

Photographers may e-mail their entries to friends@friendsoftheriverfront.org or burn them onto a disc and snail mail them to Friends of the Riverfront, 33 Terminal Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Photos must be about 1 megabyte in size and in .jpeg format. No more than two will be considered from one photographer. All entries should be postmarked or electronically received by July 29, and the winner will be announced in August.