While the category winners and the prestigious Grand Title and Young Grand Title are still a mystery, to be nominated on the 10th of October at an awards ceremony, in the meantime, the NHM is offering a sneak peek at this year’s 16 highly commended photos.
So, without further ado, we invite you to explore these carefully selected shots as they capture the breathtaking beauty and wonder of the natural world.
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Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year.“Solvin Zankl carefully watches a two-colored mason bee build the roof of its nest. Solvin knew the bee was memorizing landmarks around the nest so it could find it again. So as not to disorientate it, he edged his equipment closer each time it left. After two hours, the bee was using his equipment as a landmark.Two-coloured mason bees use snail shells for egg-laying. They pack the shell with pollen and nectar for their larvae, then seal it with grass and sticky saliva. Humans sometimes consider snails to be pests, but this species could not survive without them.Location: Near Witzenhausen, Hesse, Germany Technical details: Nikon Z6 + Rolleiflex Makro-Planar 120mm f4 PQS lens + bellow; 1/1000 at f11; Nikon SB-500 Speedlight flashes; IR light beam; ISO 100.”
The Natural History Museum has named the female blue whale Hope, as a symbol of humanity’s power to shape a sustainable future. Blue whales were hunted to the brink of extinction in the twentieth century, but were also one of the first species that humans decided to save on a global scale.”
These 16 highly commended photosoffer us a unique opportunity to have a first peek into this year’s competition. Though these photographers are not the overall winners, they definitely stood out amongst almost 50 thousand submissions.Chair of the judging panel Kathy Moran said, “What most impressed the jury was the range of subjects, from absolute beauty, rarely seen behaviors and species to images that are stark reminders of what we are doing to the natural world. We felt a powerful tension between wonder and woe that we believe came together to create a thought-provoking collection of photographs.”
These 16 highly commended photosoffer us a unique opportunity to have a first peek into this year’s competition. Though these photographers are not the overall winners, they definitely stood out amongst almost 50 thousand submissions.
Chair of the judging panel Kathy Moran said, “What most impressed the jury was the range of subjects, from absolute beauty, rarely seen behaviors and species to images that are stark reminders of what we are doing to the natural world. We felt a powerful tension between wonder and woe that we believe came together to create a thought-provoking collection of photographs.”
Wildlife photography plays a crucial role in raising awareness about conservation efforts and the natural world.Therefore, we wanted to know how the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition aligns with the mission and goals of The Natural History Museum, and what impact this event will hopefully have on the audience and the broader community interested in wildlife conservation.Jo replied: “The Natural History Museumis a world-leading science center and one of the most visited attractions in the UK. A global source of curiosity, inspiration, and joy.Our vision is to build a future in which both people and the planet thrive.We aim to be a catalyst for change, engaging advocates for the planet in everything that we do. Our 350 scientists are finding solutions to the planetary emergency in all aspects of life.”Dr. Doug Gurr, Director of the Natural History Museum, says, “We are facing urgent biodiversity and climate crises, and photography is a powerful catalyst for change. The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition reveals some of nature’s most wondrous sights whilst offering hope and achievable actions visitors can take to help protect the natural world.”And lastly, Jo added: “Our sixtieth competition will open for entries on 16 October, and is open to photographers of all ages, nationalities, and experience levels! Children aged 17 and under can enter for free.”
Wildlife photography plays a crucial role in raising awareness about conservation efforts and the natural world.Therefore, we wanted to know how the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition aligns with the mission and goals of The Natural History Museum, and what impact this event will hopefully have on the audience and the broader community interested in wildlife conservation.
Jo replied: “The Natural History Museumis a world-leading science center and one of the most visited attractions in the UK. A global source of curiosity, inspiration, and joy.Our vision is to build a future in which both people and the planet thrive.We aim to be a catalyst for change, engaging advocates for the planet in everything that we do. Our 350 scientists are finding solutions to the planetary emergency in all aspects of life.”Dr. Doug Gurr, Director of the Natural History Museum, says, “We are facing urgent biodiversity and climate crises, and photography is a powerful catalyst for change. The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition reveals some of nature’s most wondrous sights whilst offering hope and achievable actions visitors can take to help protect the natural world.”
And lastly, Jo added: “Our sixtieth competition will open for entries on 16 October, and is open to photographers of all ages, nationalities, and experience levels! Children aged 17 and under can enter for free.”
See Also on Bored Panda
Wildlife Photographer of the Year.“Alex Mustard shows the biodiversity of a healthy coral reef as ghost gobies swim within the branches of a sea fan. Alex is particularly fond of gobies, which are normally skittish, but he was determined to picture more than one in the frame. Unexpected was the copepod parasite on one fish. Capturing the vibrant, contrasting colors meant holding steady in the current to get a long enough exposure. Ghost gobies use gorgonian sea fans as a refuge or feeding platform, and perfectly blend into their surroundings. Coral reefs support a diversity of interconnected species but are at risk due to the warming seas of climate change.Location: Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia Technical details: Nikon D850 + 105mm f2.8 lens; 1/8 at f16; ISO 100; Subal housing; Retra strobes.”
Wildlife Photographer of the Year. “Michał Siarek records the moment a team from Poznań Zoo opens a crate to check on an evacuated tiger cub. Michał documented efforts to evacuate animals including wild animals in private ownership such as tigers, from across war-torn Ukraine. ‘That night changed me,’ he says. ‘Hearing the cry of a lion still in the truck made me decide to help with the next evacuation run.’ Many of the animals were rescued from fighting hotspots in eastern Ukraine in 2022. At the Polish border, the animals were re-crated and rushed to Poznań Zoo, then on to sanctuaries in Europe. More than 200 animals have since been saved.Location: Poznań Zoo, Poznań, Poland. Technical details: Fujifilm GFX100S + Sigma 40mm f1.4 lens; 1/125 at f1.4 (-1.3 e/v); ISO 1250.”
Wildlife Photographer of the Year.“Bruno D’Amicis is rewarded for his perseverance with a mosaic-like image of a Mediterranean monk seal. Working under permit, Bruno lay hidden on a ledge for several hours before a Mediterranean monk seal glided through the shallows and disappeared into a cave below. The reflections on the water helped hide this elusive seal and allude to the risk of the species totally disappearing. This species is now one of the most endangered mammals on Earth due to historic hunting and human encroachment on its habitat. Mediterranean monk seals once rested on open beaches, but most now seek the safety of caves.Location: Greece Technical details: Canon EOS R5 + 24–70mm f2.8 lens at 70mm + polarising filter; 1/250 at f3.5; ISO 3200.”
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