The Nature Photography Contest 2024 winners have been announced, showcasing the most breathtaking nature photographs of the year. This prestigious competition continues to grow, bringing together photographers from around the world to capture wildlife, landscapes, and conservation stories like never before.
With an outstanding collection of entries, Christopher Paetkau has claimed the Photography of the Year award with his stunning image Polar Bear Amid Fireweed Blooms, while Thomas Vijayan has been recognized as Photographer of the Year 2024 for his outstanding body of work spanning multiple categories.
This year’s winning images range from surreal landscapes to touching wildlife interactions, each capturing the essence of the natural world with remarkable skill and emotion.
Photography of the Year 2024 Winner: Christopher Paetkau – “Polar Bear Amid Fireweed Blooms”
The Photography of the Year title goes to Christopher Paetkau for his extraordinary image, Polar Bear Amid Fireweed Blooms. Captured on Fireweed Island, a remote location in Western Hudson Bay, the image presents a surreal scene: a majestic polar bear resting through a sea of blazing magenta fireweed at sunrise.
Paetkau took this image using a Mavic PRO3 drone, maintaining a respectful distance to avoid disturbing the bear. The result is a masterpiece that blends the golden hues of dawn with the intense color of the landscape, creating a breathtaking contrast that feels almost otherworldly.
“With its colors, composition, and underlying message, Christopher Paetkau’s photograph represents the very essence of nature and photography. It serves as a reminder of the countless reasons why we must cherish and protect our planet,” stated The Nature Photography Contest.
For this extraordinary capture, Paetkau receives a €1000 prize and global recognition in the nature photography world.
Photographer of the Year: Thomas Vijayan – Capturing Nature’s Intimacy
The Photographer of the Year 2024 award has been given to Thomas Vijayan, a photographer whose work has made a remarkable impact across multiple categories in this The Nature Photography Contest 2024. His ability to document nature in its purest form, combined with his artistic mastery, has earned him this prestigious title.
One of his standout images, Emperor Spy, presents a touching moment between an emperor penguin and its chick, set against the frozen landscapes of Antarctica. In the photo, the mother penguin curiously inspects the camera while her chick peeks from behind—an intimate and heartwarming scene of parental care in the wild.
As part of this recognition, Vijayan will also have the honor of selecting the location where nearly 500 trees will be planted, an initiative carried out in collaboration with One Tree Planted.
The Nature Photography Contest 2024 Category Winners and Their Stunning Images
Alongside Christopher Paetkau and Thomas Vijayan, other photographers have received top honors in their respective categories, offering a diverse and inspiring look at the natural world. From breathtaking landscapes to thought-provoking conservation stories, here are the winning images that captivated the jury this year.
Best Natural Landscape Photo: “Glacial Blue” by Stuart Chape
A mesmerizing aerial view of the Tasman River, where glacial waters weave their way into Lake Pukaki, creating intricate patterns in shades of icy blue.
Captured from a helicopter, this image presents a stunning perspective of one of New Zealand’s most spectacular natural wonders. The high-altitude view emphasizes the pristine beauty of glacial landscapes while subtly reminding us of the fragility of these ecosystems in the face of climate change.
Wildlife Photography Winner: “Harmony Below” by Steve Marsh
A humpback whale and a group of dolphins move in perfect synchrony, revealing the delicate balance of marine life.
This image invites us to see the ocean as rarely before, with a capture in which species with different behaviors and roles in the ecosystem coexist in a mesmerizing dance. The immensity of the ocean, coupled with the tranquility of the animals, conveys a sense of harmony rarely witnessed.
Best Macrophotography Image: “Hairy Ice Cave” by Berthold Grünhagen
A fascinating look at one of nature’s most delicate and short-lived phenomena: hairy ice.
This rare natural occurrence forms on dead wood under precise conditions—temperatures near freezing and the presence of a specific type of fungus that influences ice growth. The intricate frost formations last only a few hours before melting away, making this capture a truly ephemeral work of art.
Underwater Photography Winner: “Moby Dick” by James Ferrara
An adrenaline-filled moment as a massive sperm whale barrels toward the photographer, surrounded by drifting sargassum.
James Ferrara found himself in the middle of an unforgettable encounter when this sperm whale swam directly toward him. The size and power of the animal were overwhelming, as Ferrara described it feeling like “a train passing by” underwater. The presence of sargassum weed floating around the whale adds depth and texture to an already dramatic scene.
Best Bird Photography: “Poetry of Flight” by Saleel Tambe
A surreal and dreamlike take on bird flight, achieved through creative camera techniques.
On an overcast day with low light conditions, Tambe decided to experiment rather than simply document. Using a slow shutter speed, combined with zooming and panning, he transformed a simple moment of birds in flight into a poetic and abstract masterpiece, demonstrating that nature photography is not just about realism—it’s also about artistic interpretation.
Best Plant Life Photography: “Call of the Void” by Avilash Ghosh
A mysterious and eerie depiction of the Dead Man’s Finger fungus, enhanced by rain droplets and artificial lighting.
While herping in the forests of Goa, India, Ghosh stumbled upon this strikingly eerie fungus. Resembling skeletal fingers rising from the earth, the Dead Man’s Finger has an ominous yet captivating presence. By carefully lighting the fungi with flashlights and LED torches, Ghosh turned this natural spectacle into an atmospheric piece of photography.
Best Night Photography: “Tributo al Cielo” by Francisco Cortes Arias
A dramatic capture of the Volcán de Fuego erupting under a star-filled sky, with the moon setting in the background.
Cortes Arias was in the right place at the right time when he witnessed an unexpected, powerful eruption of Chi’Gag, known as Guatemala’s Volcán de Fuego. The composition is breathtaking—combining the raw force of lava with the celestial vastness above, creating a moment where nature’s earthly power and cosmic grandeur align in perfect harmony.
Environmental Impact Photography: “The Face in The Trap” by Rob Green
A grizzly bear stares through the steel grate of a culvert trap, caught in a human-wildlife conflict scenario.
Rob Green’s work focuses on the complex relationships between humans and wild animals. This image speaks volumes about the moral dilemmas of conservation—while the bear was suspected of preying on livestock, its instincts are simply to seek food for survival. The image challenges us to reflect on whether we are truly the ones trapping these creatures, as human expansion continues to encroach on their territories.
Best Conservation Story: “Sweet Girl’s Essence” by Sina Ritter
A heartbreaking yet beautiful tribute to “Sweet Girl,” a young whale whose tragic death highlights the dangers of vessel collisions.
Sweet Girl was known for her grace, curiosity, and gentle spirit, often approaching humans with a seemingly magnetic presence. This image captures her final interactions before she was fatally struck by a fast-moving vessel in October 2024. The accident, which left her severely injured, underscores the urgency of regulating ferry speeds in whale-populated areas.
Funny Nature Winner: “Curious About Photography” by Brian Clopp
A playful moment where a rare desert kit fox investigates a camera lens with its teeth.
Curiosity is a universal trait—even among wild animals. In this amusing shot, a young desert kit fox decides to “test” a camera by biting its lens, as if trying to understand what the strange object is. This endearing moment reminds us that wildlife is as inquisitive about us as we are about them.
Looking Ahead: The Future of The Nature Photography Contest
The Nature Photography Contest continues to establish itself as one of the most prestigious nature photography competitions worldwide. Each year, it attracts photographers who push the boundaries of creativity and conservation storytelling through their images. The contest not only celebrates artistic excellence but also fosters a deeper connection between photographers and the natural world.
The third edition is already being prepared, with the next contest set to launch in May 2025. As it grows, the competition promises to offer even more stunning visual stories that inspire conservation and appreciation for our planet.
“These photographs are more than just images; they are calls to action. Through The Nature Photography Contest, we seek to inspire a deeper appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us and the responsibility we all share in protecting it.”
To see the full gallery of winners and finalists of The Nature Photography Contest 2024, visit the official website.