Wildlife Photographer of the Year

[pressld2]

Thanks Nick! There are some interseting comments in that thread but I particularly liked your one that "It's also worth remembering that it's "wildlife photographer of the year" not "wildlife photograph of the year" (i.e. the best shot need not necessarily win)." I must admit that I'd been thinking purely along the lines of which photograph I liked best and not how much time, skill, effort, dedication, etc. had gone into capturing it.

Dave P.

[Gill Catton]

apologies for bumping this thread but I have only just got my magazine with portfolio from my mum this weekend.

Overall, although there are many stunning images it just doesn't grip me as much as in previous years. I would have preferred to see fewer images of similar subjects - I don't want to be thinking 'oh another picture of a snow leopard by the same chap' (and actually I think the winning shot wasn't as good as the shot of the cat coming up the slope), or oh another whooper/bewick, and there were also two of the macaque. All stunning photographs but I felt the repeated subject detracted from this.

Also I felt the gull and waves although a gorgeous photograph has been done before many times, and the dead monkey on the fire although striking and gut wrenchingly sad (as this category probably should be) I feel that suffering primates have been represented quite a few times in this impact of humans section (I have forgotten its official title).

I do think Steve deserved to win as he had some stunning images and has started a new angle in the world of wildlife photography here which is possibly more challenging than being there to take the shot (and therefore adjust the relevant parameters) yourself in real time. I also applaud this style of photography as it is less disturbing to the subject - something I feel is particularly important when your subject is a very rare animal.

My personal favourite image is the goby and soft coral a stunning and very beautiful photograph.

So on the whole I was a touch disappointed and also was sort of wishing they'd run another competion alongside for amateurs with images shot using less swanky cameras to see how they compare......

[ron1863]

My favourite was the Giraffe being stalked by the lioness with all the other animals spectating. but they were all excellent.