#VEWPY Wildlife Photographer of the Year

So, last Thursday, @zany_zigzag & I were fortunate enough to have an invite to the press preview of Veolia Environment Wildlife Photographer of the Year (@NHM_London), excitements.

(obviously in the presence of such great photographers, I completely forgot how to work my own camera.)

(Ellie, just before we broke the computer…)

(other guests managing not to break stuff! Also, I’ve just noticed my favourite zoologist is in this photo :D)

I urge you all to go see it, even if you’re not particularly into wildlife or photography as some of the photos are worthy of hanging in art galleries, especially this years winner; which encompassed everything that makes a great wildlife photo but also everything that makes great art, the conflict between nature and mankind. It’s simply stunning. Still Life in Oil.

It was fantastic to see most of the photographers with their photos recounting the stories of how they managed to capture that perfect moment, and also their hints and tips for taking photos.

(the winners discussing their photos, well this is a photo of people listening to the winners ;) )

& these’s are a few of my favourite photos (subject to change):

Chachalacascape - Gregory Basco (USA) - absolutely stunning, looks more like a print than a photograph, worthy of a Morris style wallpaper transformation!

Fading Beauty - David Maitland (UK) - another very arty piece.

Alien - Hui Yu Kim (Malaysia) - Winner of the 10 Years & Under category. Serious camera/skill envy.

Rhino in Charge - Wim van den Heever (South Africa) - gorgeous b/w rhino portrait. More people need to do b/w photography. The b/w category was definitely my favourite.

Apollo at Rest - Valter Binotto (Italy) - adore the description that accompanied this photo: “Every summer for the past 20 years, Valter has visited a colony of endangered Apollo butterflies in Italy’s pre-Alps. He keeps the location secret, for fear of butterfly collectors.”

This is my most favourite of the whole exhibition:

Balancing Act - Joel Sartore (USA) - everyone at the exhibition was asking “how did it get there?” What I’d like to know is, how did it get back down?

& lastly, I’d like to thank Jonathan for the invite (thank you, thank you, thank you) and also Jonathan in the shop for the discount on my dinos on sticks (you’re one awesome shop assistant).