Winners And Highly Honored Photos Of The NBP International Awards 2024 (30 Pics)

Nature’s Best Photography (NBP) International Awards recently announced winning and highly honored photos that are absolutely captivating. Over 25 thousand images were entered to compete in 11 categories, all celebrating animals and nature.The Grand Prize winner this year is Mangesh Ratnakar Desai from Pune, Maharashtra, India, with a photo of two Bengal tigers where the mother is play-fighting with her son to teach an important survival lesson. Another important mention is Alberto Román Gómez from Cádiz, Spain, who was recognized as the Youth Photographer of the Year.In the list below, we showcased all the winners of single-submitted photos and some of the Highly Honored photos that captured our eyes the most. But if you want to see the complete collection of Winners and Top 100 finalists, as well as the Video category, make sure to check outNBP’s website.More info:Instagram|Facebook|naturesbestphotography.orgThis post may includeaffiliate links.

The Grand Prize winner this year is Mangesh Ratnakar Desai from Pune, Maharashtra, India, with a photo of two Bengal tigers where the mother is play-fighting with her son to teach an important survival lesson. Another important mention is Alberto Román Gómez from Cádiz, Spain, who was recognized as the Youth Photographer of the Year.

In the list below, we showcased all the winners of single-submitted photos and some of the Highly Honored photos that captured our eyes the most. But if you want to see the complete collection of Winners and Top 100 finalists, as well as the Video category, make sure to check outNBP’s website.

More info:Instagram|Facebook|naturesbestphotography.org

This post may includeaffiliate links.

Wildlife: Highly Honored - African Lion Cubs By Keith Bannerman

To learn more about Stefan and his photo, we reached out to the photographer. Stefan shared more about himself.

“I am a German photographer and filmmaker who has wintered twice in Antarctica and hence specialized in photographing the emperor penguins of Atka Bay. I have had film assignments for the BBC and Netflix and also lived in Antarctica as a scientist since I have a physics background.”

Wildlife: Highly Honored - Masai Giraffe And Calf By Thomas Nicholson

“A stunning field of Paepalanthus mirrors the rising sun’s rays, giving the impression of self-luminescence.”

Landscapes: Winner - “Fireworks” By Marcio Cabral

We were wondering what initially drew Stefan to the world of photography.He wrote: “When I was still in high school, I joined a student exchange with a high school in Billings, Montana, USA. We visited Yellowstone NP and I only had a small digital point-and-shoot camera with me. I was not able to capture the raw beauty of this wilderness, so I decided to dive deeper into photography. My father gave me his old Minolta SLR and I learned to photograph and have been photographing ever since. A little more than 20 years now.”

We were wondering what initially drew Stefan to the world of photography.

He wrote: “When I was still in high school, I joined a student exchange with a high school in Billings, Montana, USA. We visited Yellowstone NP and I only had a small digital point-and-shoot camera with me. I was not able to capture the raw beauty of this wilderness, so I decided to dive deeper into photography. My father gave me his old Minolta SLR and I learned to photograph and have been photographing ever since. A little more than 20 years now.”

“I photographed this little chick on a calm, serene day after a snowstorm had passed. The thick cloud cover over the bay created an endless white canvas backdrop. The colony stood out like a painting, with this lone chick on the periphery. At a relatively warm -13°F, there was no need to huddle. The chick was struggling to stay awake as snowflakes fell gently. His eyes would close as he drifted into brief stages of sleep. Watching this peaceful scene was delightful, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at the adorable sight.”

Polar Passion: Highly Honored - Emperor Penguin Chick By Stefan Christmann

“Over the years, I have witnessed this young tiger on his path toward independence, starting with lessons from his mother teaching him to defend his territory.”

Grand Prize Winner: Bengal Tigers By Mangesh Ratnakar Desai

Obviously, we just had to know more about the main guy, the emperor penguin chick. We asked Stefan to share how he managed to capture this shot.Stefan shared: “It was quite easy, actually. It was a warm spring day in Atka Bay and it was snowing (which is rare in Antarctica, funnily). This little fellow was just standing around, likely waiting for his/her parents and I was simply laying flat on my stomach observing. Taking the shot with a tele lens was straightforward. No tripod or any special equipment is needed. Just some patience and slow movements, not to disturb his slumber.”

Obviously, we just had to know more about the main guy, the emperor penguin chick. We asked Stefan to share how he managed to capture this shot.

Stefan shared: “It was quite easy, actually. It was a warm spring day in Atka Bay and it was snowing (which is rare in Antarctica, funnily). This little fellow was just standing around, likely waiting for his/her parents and I was simply laying flat on my stomach observing. Taking the shot with a tele lens was straightforward. No tripod or any special equipment is needed. Just some patience and slow movements, not to disturb his slumber.”

Ocean Views: Highly Honored - Green Sea Turtles In Cave By Leighton Lum

Birds: Highly Honored - Bald Eagle Fight By Michael Despines

Stefan added: “The polar regions are beautiful, but fragile at the same time. Just like a soft emperor penguin chick.”

Landscapes: Highly Honored - Dancing The Sumba By Cyndy B. Waters

Wildlife: Highly Honored - Bengal Tiger By Krishna Daga

Lastly, Stefan shared: “Emperor penguins are the coolest birds on the planet, and we can learn so much from them. They are the ultimate team workers, and they achieve the impossible with it: living in an uninhabitable surrounding. If teamwork can help them to achieve this, imagine what humankind could achieve if we all worked together. We could make the world a better place - for humans AND for animals and nature. This thought keeps me hopeful for the future. I hope that our species will one day fully comprehend the strength that lies in collaboration.”

Wildlife: Highly Honored - American Bison And Calf By Lara Ferraro

“The genuine tenderness between these wild animals made me smile and serves as a poignant reminder that each living creature has a unique value within our universe.”

Animal Antics: Winner - Kit Fox Pair By Brian Clopp

In order to learn more about this year’s competition, Bored Panda also reached out to the organizers of the NBP Awards and talked to Amanda Gaquin, an NBP Contest Manager.We were wondering what new photography trends NBP has been seeing in this year’s competition.Amanda commented: “It was a wonderful year for entrants in the 2024 Awards. More photographers are including the landscape around images of animals. Photographers are now getting out and traveling the world again and submitting stunning images of wildlife and wild places from across the globe.We are seeing additional coverage from photos taken using drones this year and the entrants are following our rules in leaving a safe distance to wildlife and obtaining permits when needed.”

In order to learn more about this year’s competition, Bored Panda also reached out to the organizers of the NBP Awards and talked to Amanda Gaquin, an NBP Contest Manager.

We were wondering what new photography trends NBP has been seeing in this year’s competition.

Amanda commented: “It was a wonderful year for entrants in the 2024 Awards. More photographers are including the landscape around images of animals. Photographers are now getting out and traveling the world again and submitting stunning images of wildlife and wild places from across the globe.

We are seeing additional coverage from photos taken using drones this year and the entrants are following our rules in leaving a safe distance to wildlife and obtaining permits when needed.”

Polar Passion: Highly Honored - King Penguins Under Full Moon By Levi Fitze

“In addition to the difficulty of focusing on the action, dust was in the air; but it all added to one of my favorite memories as a nature photographer.”

Wildlife: Winnner - African Leopard Fight By Kevin Dooley

Amanda also shared a surprising moment that happened in this year’s photo competition.“It was surprising that our Youth Winner is just age 9 and starting out in nature photography and entering (and winning) international competitions. This level of expertise is for youth age 18 and younger.It was also exciting and surprising to receive an entry from war-torn Ukraine in our Art in Nature category.”

Amanda also shared a surprising moment that happened in this year’s photo competition.

“It was surprising that our Youth Winner is just age 9 and starting out in nature photography and entering (and winning) international competitions. This level of expertise is for youth age 18 and younger.

It was also exciting and surprising to receive an entry from war-torn Ukraine in our Art in Nature category.”

Polar Passion: Winner - Beluga Whale By Brett Freliche

Polar Passion: Highly Honored - “Treasure On Ice” By Marek Jackowski

We were also wondering how the Nature’s Best Photography community has grown or changed in 2024. Amanda responded: “Always growing with new young (age 18 and under) and amateur as well as professional photographers around the globe. The competition grows in volume every year.”

Outdoor Adventure: Highly Honored - Free Diver And Sperm Whales By Franco Banfi

Youth: Highly Honored - Atlantic Puffin By Andrés Domínguez Blanco (Age 14)

Regarding spreading awareness about nature and conservation, Amanda wrote about exciting new projects and partnerships that were designed to help achieve meaningful impact.“Our distinguishedpanel of judgesfor this year’s NBP Awards photo competition includes accomplished wildlife photographers, leading conservation photojournalists, highly regarded video specialists, and wildlife photography educators. The panel represents a deep understanding of natural history and progressive conservation strategies, photographic expertise, technical evaluation skills, a shared passion for wildlife and wildlands, and the highest ethics in their respective fields.In addition to this seasoned judging team, we have added a new group ofNature’s Best Ambassadorswho are outstanding nature photographers and have all won awards for their talents in nature photography and films. We appreciate their input and perspectives on images and are eager to see more of their work in the future as they help spread awareness about conservation.”

Regarding spreading awareness about nature and conservation, Amanda wrote about exciting new projects and partnerships that were designed to help achieve meaningful impact.

“Our distinguishedpanel of judgesfor this year’s NBP Awards photo competition includes accomplished wildlife photographers, leading conservation photojournalists, highly regarded video specialists, and wildlife photography educators. The panel represents a deep understanding of natural history and progressive conservation strategies, photographic expertise, technical evaluation skills, a shared passion for wildlife and wildlands, and the highest ethics in their respective fields.

In addition to this seasoned judging team, we have added a new group ofNature’s Best Ambassadorswho are outstanding nature photographers and have all won awards for their talents in nature photography and films. We appreciate their input and perspectives on images and are eager to see more of their work in the future as they help spread awareness about conservation.”

Ocean Views: Highly Honored - Giant Pacific Octopus By Mayumi Takeuchi-Ebbins

Birds: Highly Honored - Northern Hawk Owl By Liron Gertsman

Lastly, Amanda added:“In 2025, we will becelebrating our 30th Anniversaryof Nature’s Best Photography, launched in 1995, withnew photo awards competitionsopen to the public at all levels of expertise.

Also, our mission is to spread uplifting inspiration, joy, and wellness through the art of naturephotography in displays in Hospitals and Clinics.”

Animal Antics: Highly Honored - Mountain Hares By Andy Parkinson