One highlight of the past year for me has been the chance to wander the coast with a new camera in hand.

After seven years of shooting almost exclusively on film — which I still love — I’ve made at least a partial transition back to digital, to much delight.

I’ve explored trails and historic towns, like Oysterville, featured in this week’s cover story, and documented friends, events, seascapes and ships rolling by on the Columbia. Many of those captures have even made it into print.

But now, readers, it’s time to turn the lens on you.

The 2024 Coast Weekend Photo Contest is now open for entries on the Discover Our Coast website. Through Dec. 31, submit up to one image per day taken in the lower Columbia region within the past year. Between windstorms and rain squalls, even the shortest days of winter on this grand coast offer scenes that all but ask to be photographed. Entries should be original works that highlight the scenery and character of the region.

After Jan. 1, check back to vote for your favorite entries from fellow readers, then look for the winning photos — first-, second- and third-place winners chosen by The Astorian, and a People’s Choice Award honoree — to appear in a future print edition of Coast Weekend.