The Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year has been announced
A French biologist bags the top spot with a beautifully enigmatic photo.
A French biologist and underwater photographer has been named as this year’s Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
Laurent Ballesta was selected as the winner of the competition following the submission of his “enigmatic image” Creation, which captures camouflage groupers exiting their milky cloud of eggs and sperm in Fakarava, French Polynesia.
Over the past five years, Mr Ballesta and his team returned to the lagoon, diving day and night so they did not miss the annual spawning that only takes place around the full moon in July.
Reflections by Justin Gilligan, which won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Plants and Fungi Award
A gorilla image by Majed Ali won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Animal Portraits Award
Elephant in the room by Adam Oswel won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Photojournalism Award
Sunflower songbird was awarded the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year:11-14 Years Award
His image was selected from more than 50,000 entries from 95 countries and was named the winner at a virtual awards ceremony at the Natural History Museum in central London.
Chairwoman of the judging panel, writer and editor Rosamund “Roz” Kidman Cox, said: “The image works on so many levels. It is surprising, energetic and intriguing, and has an otherworldly beauty.
“It also captures a magical moment – a truly explosive creation of life – leaving the tail-end of the exodus of eggs hanging for a moment like a symbolic question mark.”
Joao Rodrigues won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Behaviour: Amphibians and Reptiles Award
Bedazzled by Alexander Mustard won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Natural Artistry Award
Spinning the cradle by Gil Wizen won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Behaviour: Invertebrate Award
Head to head by Stefano Unterthiner won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Behaviour: Mammals Award
Meanwhile, Vidyun R Hebbar was named Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2021 at the ceremony.
The 10-year-old’s colourful image, Dome home, shows a tent spider as a tuk-tuk passes.
Dome home by Vidyun R Hebbar
The two winners were chosen from 19 categories in total which aim to celebrate the natural world.
Three new categories were introduced this year, including Oceans – The Bigger Picture and Wetlands – The Bigger Picture.
Shane Kalyn’s image of two ravens won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Behaviour: Birds Award
High-flying jay by Lasse Kurkela won the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year:15-17 Years Award
A total of 100 images from the competition will be on display at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at the Natural History Museum.
It opens on October 15 before touring across the UK and internationally.
The Press Association
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