Image above: ”Yellowhammers fighting in winter” by Fergus Gill in the Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2009 [Copyright: Fergus Gill, Yewtree Cottage, 7 Dunsinnan Road, Wolfhill, Perthshire, PH2 6TL | fergusgill@hotmail.co.uk | 01821 650455]
Every November the Natural History Museum hosts the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition and so I went to check out the 2009 competition winners.
Compared to seeing the 2008 show, the selection was even stronger and I do not envy the judges trying to choose which would be shortlisted let along which one would win each category. There were categories that I agreed with the winner and categories where personally I would’ve chosen another. But to be honest, it was really hard to make that kind of distinction.
However, it’s the captions accompanying each photograph describing the lengths of how it was taken or the circumstances that made the image come alive. What was consistent was each photographer’s clear dedication and passion for what they were doing. Especially with the young photographer categories where the quality of images rivalled the adult categories. Though you do wonder how a 10 year old can lug a DSLR with a 300m lens by themselves!
All very inspirational and highly recommended whether you’re a photographer or not. The exhibition runs until 11 April 2010 and I’d recommend going first thing on Saturday or Sunday morning when it’s not crowded.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year 20009 | Natural History Museum | Nearest tube: South Kensington | £9 for adults | Opens from 10:00 to 17:50 daily until 11 April 2010
So sad I wasn’t there to go with you! Hope you enjoyed it and were inspired to get out there and sit in the snow for 20 hours straight to get that “perfect shot”!!!
@Chrissy: Yep, wish you were there too as I ended up having to see it by myself. And I think that I’ll stick with the reportage work and leave the wildlife stuff to these pros!