As a child, my father had a side gig as a photographer. He would do weddings, events, beauty pageants and I often got to tag along. Most often I served as the stand in when he was making sure that the lighting was set up correctly. I remember his home dark room in our basement in Seward and the seemingly magical way photos would emerge from paper.
I have been a fan of photography ever since and the talent and artistry that excellent photographers possess.
The World Nature Photography Awards highlight some of the best nature photos every year. Below is a break down of some of the winners but make sure to visit their website to get a full experience.
Grand Prize Winner: Maruša Puhek
Maruša Puhek from Slovenia has been awarded the prestigious title of World Nature Photographer of the Year for her captivating image titled “Run.” This photograph, part of her 366 project, features two deer running through a snowy vineyard. Despite initially feeling frustrated by the lack of a telephoto lens, Puhek’s wide-angle shot beautifully captures the essence of the snowy landscape, making it an integral part of the composition.
Gold Winners in Various Categories
- Animal Portraits: Khaichuin Sim from Malaysia won gold for his mesmerizing macro photograph of two lanternflies, their vibrant colors standing out against the dark background.
- Behaviour – Mammals: Tom Nickels from Finland captured a playful polar bear in the Svalbard archipelago, earning him the gold award in this category.
- Behaviour – Amphibians and Reptiles: Georgina Steytler from Australia won gold for her image of a blue-spotted mudskipper leaping in a territorial display.
- Behaviour – Invertebrates: Niki Colemont from Belgium received the gold award for his dramatic capture of a spider ensnaring a robber fly.
- Behaviour – Birds: Clive Burns from the United Kingdom won gold for his photograph of red knots and other coastal waders in flight during a high tide.
Special Mentions
- People and Nature: Robert Middleton from the United Kingdom won gold for his poignant image of fishermen harvesting anchovies off the coast of Phu Yen, Vietnam, highlighting the issue of overfishing.
- Underwater: Daniel Flormann from Germany captured a young olive ridley sea turtle embarking on its journey into the ocean, earning him the gold award.
- Planet Earth’s Landscapes and Environments: Jake Mosher from the USA won gold for his stunning image of the Milky Way reflected in Montana’s Hyalite Lake.
- Black and White: Paul Goldstein from the United Kingdom received the gold award for his wide-angle image of a coalition of cheetahs in a flooded pan.
- Animals in Their Habitat: Malini Chandrasekar from the United Kingdom won gold for her photograph of a walrus resting on pack ice in Svalbard.
- Urban Wildlife: Benjamin Smail from the United Kingdom captured the contrast between a fuel depot and a male Pin-tailed Whydah in Gambia, earning him the gold award.
- Nature Photojournalism: Ael Kermarec from Iceland won gold for his dramatic drone image of a volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula.
These incredible photographs not only celebrate the beauty of nature but also remind us of our responsibility to protect and preserve it. To explore more of these stunning images and support the photographers, visit the World Nature Photography Awards website and let me know which is your favorite – adam@b1073.com