Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (BMAG) hosts the breathtaking Wildlife Photographer of the Year, showcasing some of the most exceptional images from around the world. On loan from London’s Natural History Museum, this prestigious exhibition is on display in the Waterhall gallery from now through to next April, and offers a unique opportunity to see nature’s beauty and diversity up close.
Since its launch in 1965, Wildlife Photographer of the Year has grown to become one of the most esteemed competitions in the world. What began as a small platform for highlighting the beauty of wildlife photography has evolved into a powerful showcase of conservation efforts, storytelling and artistic talent. From just 361 entries in its first year, it now receives nearly 60,000 from 117 countries and territories, and the images are seen by millions of people around the world through the touring exhibition and outreach programmes.
Pauline Robert, Head of Wildlife Photographer of the Year at the Natural History Museum, explains, “WPY was created 60 years ago to shine light on a photographic genre that wasn’t getting the recognition it deserved. The competition has developed alongside changes in technology, the growth of wildlife photography as a field and the increasing concerns about the state of the natural world. Fast forward to today, it is one of the most prestigious photographic competitions and awards globally.”
This year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year is Canadian Marine Conservation Photojournalist Shane Gross with his image The Swarm of Life, that shines a light on the fragile world of western toad tadpoles. His photo, taken with painstaking attention to detail, conveys both beauty and urgency, offering a peek beneath the water’s surface. He took the image whilst snorkelling for several hours through carpets of lily pads in Cedar Lake on Vancouver Island, making sure not to disturb the fine layers of silt and algae covering the bottom of the lake.
Reflecting on his work, Shane says: “The hardest part about photographing these little tadpoles is that they are small and almost black. So I had to get really, really close and needed a lens that could focus really close and then use a front light to bring out the detail on the tadpoles. And when you look at them up close they’re not completely black; they actually have these flecks of gold across them. With this photo I am hoping to tell a story of hope. Here you have a place that is still relatively pristine and has abundant life. That to me is a really special and hopeful thing.”
Highlighting the next generation is Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, from Germany, who was awarded Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year for his remarkable close-up, Life Under Dead Wood. His image reveals a tiny patch of slime moulds under a log, complete with a springtail in mid-motion. He had to work fast, as springtails – barely two millimetres long – can jump many times their body length in a split second. Describing his process, Alexis says: “Macro photography makes it possible for me to uncover details that would be basically impossible to see in any other way, and show that this tiny little world is just as fascinating as the much bigger, more charismatic wildlife that is often more common in other types of wildlife photography.”
And his advice to other budding young photographers? “Get outside as much as you can, with whatever camera you have and whatever equipment you have. Don’t be afraid to try out new things, to think outside the box, try something new and maybe you’ll find your own niche that not that many people are interested in.”
The arrival of Wildlife Photographer of the Year to BMAG is part of the museum’s phased reopening, bringing a significant cultural milestone to Birmingham. The exhibition complements the city’s own new display, Wild City, which explores local wildlife and its natural environment.
Sara Wajid and Zak Mensah, Co-CEOs of Birmingham Museums Trust, share their enthusiasm: “We are excited to welcome this internationally renowned exhibition back to Birmingham. Opening in the Waterhall, alongside several gallery spaces, represents a big step forward in the phased reopening of the museum. The exhibition tells international stories about nature and perfectly complements our new Wild City display, which looks at wildlife and the natural environment in Birmingham.”
A Commitment to Conservation and Inclusion
Each year, WPY images are judged on creativity, originality and technical excellence. “The exhibition is enduringly appealing to audiences worldwide because of how it aims to benefit wildlife and conservation efforts by raising awareness of the challenges animals are facing,” says Pauline. “It also uses photography to celebrate the wonderful diversity of life, to inspire and inform and to create advocates for the planet. It champions ethical wildlife photography, rewarding truthful representations of nature that display respect for animals and the environment.
“We have 19 categories in the competition, from mammal behaviour and underwater to photojournalism. The images showcase a wide variety of species across our planet, often from perspectives that we may not otherwise see ourselves or creatures that may not have been given the recognition they deserve before. Beyond technical excellence, the jury of international experts look for photographs that are fresh photographs, strong narratives and ethical practice.”
According to Kathy Moran, Chair of the WPY judging panel, this year’s winners reflected a blend of “species diversity, a range of behaviour and conservation issues that fully embraces representation of the natural world – the beauty and the challenges. It is a powerful selection with which to kickstart a milestone anniversary.”
As visitors explore this powerful collection, they’ll experience nature’s wonders as seen through the eyes of the world’s most skilled photographers. Each image invites viewers to pause, reflect and appreciate the intricate web of life that surrounds us, reminding us that every creature, no matter how small, has a role to play in the balance of our planet.
