This year’s images for the British Wildlife Photography Awards are an aesthetically stunning selection. Every time the awards come around, one is surprised by how the judges can select a winner for the many sections in the award (ranging from animal portraits to botanical Britain) as the entrants are of such a consistently high standard.
However, the judges have whittled down an overall winner of the competition, which Lee Acaster, for his photograph Urban Tourist – an image of a single Graylag goose walking along the Thames with London’s city scape in the background. “It was a real privilege to have such a close encounter with a wild bird in the very heart of London. I vividly remember the excitement I felt as she patiently waited for me to get the shot, and I knew immediately this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, I’m just grateful that she didn’t lose interest as quickly as my children do when I’m taking photographs of them,” he says.
Acaster is a very surprising winner, but a smart choice as it shows that wildlife is not synonymous with rolling green hills and long grass. The millions that live in cities such as London often overlook the diverse range of plants and animals right on our doorstep.
This is where the BWPA always takes its message beyond the best photograph, the most unique shot and the most colourful display. I think the key to its success is the fact that besides being a photography competition, it also is a huge advocate for conservationism within Britain. It encourages generations of all ages to see the irreplaceable beauty within nature surrounding us. To take a step back and see the whole picture, and a step closer to see the detail in every feather, fur and scale.
If you didn’t manage to make it down to the Mall Galleries earlier this month to see the awards on show in person, the book of the show is a must have, featuring many gems as well such as Luke Wilkinson’s Waving Seal and Richard Shucksmith’s Floating Jellies.
Now in its fifth year, the BWPA is growing rapidly, accumulating new sponsors each year with bigger awards and a even more passionate following.
by Justin van Vliet
All of the shortlisted and winning images from the British Wildlife Photography Awards are published in British Wildlife Photography Awards: Collection 5 (AA Publishing £25) is available now