Wildlife photographer of the year 2009 winner announced

[pressld2]

Originally Posted by DrNickBurton

Generally though, I gotta say that apart from the two winners, I'm a bit underwhelmed. Very few of the winning shots have the wow factor that I usually associate with WPY. The macro shots are particularly weak - I have seen far better on WAB and elsewhere.

Having looked through them all now, I've got to say I completely agree. For me Fergus's shot is the true outstanding image and I'm not just saying that 'cause he's a member here either! There are a few other notable ones too, e.g. the starling wave, the booby underwater, the gelada and yes, the overall winner too, but I'm used to having my jaw-dropped by this competition and it just hasn't happened this year.

As someone who submitted images myself I read the judges advice very carefully and the thing they kept banging on about most was originality. So what do we get? Boxing hares! been done to death and often better than that shot. The other two hare photos were nothing special either, nor was the bryde's whale. And I'm sorry but if the fox and cat was really the best photo entered in the urban and garden section then they should have declined to award a prize in that category.

Dave P.

[snowdrop]

Once again your work has taken my breathe away, its a fabulous shot Fergus and a well deserved win for you.

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by pressld2

....As for the infra-red trigger debate, I recall someone pointing out last year that the competition is Wildlife Photographer of the Year and not Wildlife Photograph. Which I think throws a slightly different light on it....Dave P.

I've heard that argument too Dave but, in my opinion, as the winner is judged on one photo (as opposed to, say, a panel of 5) the competition really doesn't live up its name

Jeff

[NicolaB]

Well done Fergus! My favourite entry by a mile!

[FUDGEY]

Magic photographs. I think the Wolf is a worth winner too, I just love it. How many times would a Wolf jump over that fence in a year? and how many times would it take you to get "the perfect" shot even when it did? Worthy winner imo. On the other hand taking nothing away from the Yellowhammer its not too difficult to shoot 500 pics a day of this subject if you set your stall. It is a great picture dont get me wrong, but the fact that you get a lot more goes at it makes it less difficult to get that perfect shot. Extremley difficult, but less difficult. Well done to all. Oh I liked the Starling pic too.

[cutecoot]

I can't find the starling pic

[matt_xyz]

I was very familiar with the winning wolf image because an almost identical image (by the same photographer) was highly commended in another prominent wildlife photography competition. I remember discussing the merits of that first wolf photo on another forum at that time. Here's the image from the other competition;

Photo Competition Winners - Nature photography - images from the Wild Wonders of Europe.

what's interesting is that the WPOTY rules state:
"A picture that has won a prize in another competition, which receives more than 500 images, is not eligible for entry. The competition is looking for images which are new and unique and if a picture has been widely seen before it may count against it during the judging process."

Now technically it didn't win the other competition but was highly commended, but it was certainly a familiar image to those of us interested in these sorts of competitions. It is a great image though, so I have no problems in that regard.

There are some very nice images in WPOTY but I'm also perhaps a little underwhelmed. But then maybe our expectations are becoming unrealistic. Fergus' image is nice, although I'm not sure we can continue to call him 'our' Fergus as he hasn't visited WAB for some months.

Matt

[cutecoot]

Wow, that photo of the kingfisher that was runner up in the WWE comp is something else!

[acherontia]

Congratulations to Fergy! I will now try to look at some more of his work . His star will be well and truly on the ascendent now he has won this - as was/is one of OH's fellow 'Wildie' students who was highly commended in this category a couple of years ago. I guarantee he is far,far to busy building his future career to visit at the moment

Re the wolf - the emphasis in this comp is on the 'er' of the title. Therefore dedication also enters into the factors for winning as well as the end result.
One thing does worry me though - these comps seem to be getting more and more preclusive for even the most dedicated of amateurs. So much emphasis on the time spent and the range of equipment needed seems to make it difficult for those who aren't already professional or have plenty of money to spend on time, equipment and exotic travel.

I do like the winning image though.

Acher

[pressld2]

Originally Posted by cutecoot

I can't find the starling pic

Winner of the black & white category: Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year - Online gallery - don't miss it!

Dave P.