The 53rd Wildlife Photographer of the Year photography competition is open for entries until 11.30am GMT, Thursday 15 December 2016. There's a range of categories, from to surprising animal behaviour. Judged by a panel of industry-recognised professionals, images are selected for their originality, artistry and technical complexity.  Joining the panel this year are photographer Daniel Beltrá, wildlife photojournalist Britta Jaschinski, National Geographic photographer and filmmaker Mattias Klum, wildlife photographer Jasper Doest and wildlife writer Rosamund Kidman Cox. Entrants get the chance to take centre stage at an awards ceremony at the Natural History Museum, London in the newly unveiled Hintze Hall where a vast blue whale skeleton will be on display. They will also see their image tour across the world and reach an audience of millions in the annual exhibition. Award-winning images will also be published in a limited edition hardcover book, which is translated and sold across the world.

Press Release

Wildlife Photographer of the Year: fifty-third competition now open

The world’s leading wildlife photography competition has launched its annual global search for the best and most creative images of nature.

Open to amateur, professional and young photographers, the fifty-third competition is open for entries until 11.30am GMT, Thursday 15 December 2016.

Chair of the jury Lewis Blackwell says, ‘Once again we’re making the call to the wild for photographers to show us what is really happening in the world around us. There are eight million or so other species out there, and most of their evolving behaviours are yet to be studied.’

‘Just 100 photographs will make the final edit, so the competition will be fierce. Only the strongest will survive – but fortunately it is talent, experience, hard work and perhaps just a little luck that matter more than brute strength.’

Awarded images are powerful insights into the natural world that inspire and encourage us all to appreciate and protect the species sharing the planet.

Sir Michael Dixon, Director of the Natural History Museum, London, which runs the competition, comments: ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year highlights some of the big questions for society and the environment: How can we protect biodiversity? Can we learn to live in harmony with nature? The winning images touch our hearts, and challenge us to think differently about the natural world.’

There are a range of categories exploring the diversity of the world’s flora and fauna, from breath-taking landscapes to surprising animal behaviour. 2016 was more competitive than ever, with almost 50,000 entries from 95 countries.  American field biologist and photojournalist Tim Laman won the grand title for his unique image of a critically endangered orangutan above the Indonesian rainforest.  16 year-old British wildlife enthusiast Gideon Knight won the young grand title for his image of a crow silhouetted against the moon in a London park.

Judged by a panel of industry-recognised professionals, images are selected for their originality, artistry and technical complexity.  Joining the panel this year are photographer Daniel Beltrá, wildlife photojournalist Britta Jaschinski, National Geographic photographer and filmmaker Mattias Klum, wildlife photographer Jasper Doest and wildlife writer Rosamund Kidman Cox.

Entrants get the chance to take centre stage at an awards ceremony at the Natural History Museum, London in the newly unveiled Hintze Hall where a vast blue whale skeleton will be on display. They will also see their image tour across the world and reach an audience of millions in the annual exhibition.

Award winning images will also be published in a limited edition hardcover book, which is translated and sold across the world. The overall winner and young winner will receive a substantial cash prize.

For full details and to enter visit www.wildlifephotographeroftheyear.com

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