Wildlife Photographer of the Year

[Hindolbittern]

I was interested to see that this is the winner of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year .

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4355628.stm

It's a wonderful subject but is it the best photo in such a fantastic and prestigious competition?

Any thoughts?

HB

http://guestwickpromises.blogspot.com/

[Katy Penland]

For depicting such a life-and-death action, I find the photo very static and uninteresting. No depth. I do like its abstract composition and think it would work better as, say, a sumie painting than a photograph. Owell, artistic judgements are always so subjective. Thanks for bringing it to our attention. :t:

[Nigel G]

All in the eye of the beholder but I see pictures on here everyday I prefer to that!!

[Leif]

I was interested to see that this is the winner of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year .

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4355628.stm

It's a wonderful subject but is it the best photo in such a fantastic and prestigious competition?

Any thoughts?

HB

http://guestwickpromises.blogspot.com/

I thought most of the winning pictures shown on the BBC News site were unexciting and not worthy of such a high prize. They were good, but not special IMO. However, these prizes have their own criteria which might mean that more appealing photos go by the wayside in favour of those that satisfy the criteria.

Leif

[Isurus]

The winning picture is of a subject that appeals to me a lot and that I find very interesting (being flocks of birds/schools of fish reacting as a fluidd whole to a predator) unfortunately I just don't think its a very good picture of the subject.

Now the flock of whoopers on the other hand I like.

[Blackstart]

Great photograph.

It's got tension, emotion, and great composition. It makes you look at something in a different way. In short, it's highly artistic.

-Adam

[Hindolbittern]

For depicting such a life-and-death action, I find the photo very static and uninteresting. No depth. I do like its abstract composition and think it would work better as, say, a sumie painting than a photograph. Owell, artistic judgements are always so subjective. Thanks for bringing it to our attention. :t:

more of the photos here http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whats-on/temporary-exhibitions/wpy/gallery/group.jsp?group=1&year=2005

I've spent the day struggling with the one in question and I agree with Katy that as an abstract it is fascinating, contrast between the empty area with the peregrin and the random marks on the dark area, and it's really interesting to consider it as a painting...

... but...

although it has potential as an image I still can't see it as the winner. I generally go and see the exhibition when it reaches Pensthorpe each year and to see the photos full size as an exhibition is stunning. I like to be challenged by the more difficult ones and loath things that are too pat and obvious - and I like this one for that reason I suppose. But is it the best? Perhaps I need to see it properly reproduced to get it.

HB (more critical help needed please!)

http://guestwickpromises.blogspot.com/

[greypoint]

It's the sort of thing I would be thrilled to see and capture - but, perhaps it's the web image and the original is is much better, it's the sort of photo which I'd look at at think 'if only the quality was better'. I love the fighting herons.

[Silvershark]

The portfolio with the BBC Wildlife Magazine arrived yesterday and I personally think that the best photo out of them all is one of Swifts in a canyon, I think that one is an amazing photo with water cascading down the sides of the canyon swirling in the river.

I don't know if anyone else has the portfolio to comment yet though!

[wiltshirejohn]

Went to see the exhibition last week. Overall the standards are exceptionally high. Sorry to disagree with the judges but I (and 'er indoors) thought that the declared winner was well, how can I put it... er - just ho-hum. Nothing special.

Most other entries all exhibited great strengths of composition, subject matter, fieldcraft, technical ability etc. etc. but this one, even printed up at twice size, did nothing for me.

This show is well worth a visit, in fact we will probably give it a second go when it tours down to Bristol later on.



I was interested to see that this is the winner of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year .

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4355628.stm

It's a wonderful subject but is it the best photo in such a fantastic and prestigious competition?

Any thoughts?

HB

http://guestwickpromises.blogspot.com/

[jurek]

more of the photos here http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whats-on/temporary-exhibitions/wpy/gallery/group.jsp?group=1&year=2005


The overall winner is just poor journalist photo (peregrine and starlings).

The best of all is mammal behaviour winner (chimp with raised arms). Just mind-blowing, reminescent of '2001 Space Odyssey'. Combines rare behavior, good composition and mystical quality.

Some of Eric Hoskings awards (fighting herons, heron and fish eyes) are also very good.

Of bird behavior, best are heron&fish and gentoo surfing. Others made you wonder what a hell is special in 100% standard s-t-eagle-at-nest photo. There are zillions of those in every bird book.

Surprisingly many are stiff 'wall calendar' photos. Swans at the sunset. :( In others, award should go to a beautiful subject, but not to a person who shot standard photo.

As usually, I am in awe of how well some kids can photograph. :)

[Hindolbittern]

Went to see the exhibition last week. Overall the standards are exceptionally high. Sorry to disagree with the judges but I (and 'er indoors) thought that the declared winner was well, how can I put it... er - just ho-hum. Nothing special.

Most other entries all exhibited great strengths of composition, subject matter, fieldcraft, technical ability etc. etc. but this one, even printed up at twice size, did nothing for me.

This show is well worth a visit, in fact we will probably give it a second go when it tours down to Bristol later on.
Well, it's interesting that you confirm my thoughts now you've seen it in the flesh. To some extent I think hey - what does it matter. It's creating interest and making people question what a photo is on a different level.

But, on the whole choosing it as the winner is odd.

Looking forward to it reaching this neck of the woods though.

HB

http://guestwickpromises.blogspot.com/

[Hindolbittern]

The overall winner is just poor journalist photo (peregrine and starlings).
Hey, hey, hey - I won't have anything said against photojournalists! ;)

As usually, I am in awe of how well some kids can photograph. :)
Kids still good this year? Curses!

HB

http://guestwickpromises.blogspot.com/

[jurek]

Hey, hey, hey - I won't have anything said against photojournalists! ;)


I meant it looks like fuzzy black-and-white snapshot printed in cheap paper newspaper. :)

[Hindolbittern]

I meant it looks like fuzzy black-and-white snapshot printed in cheap paper newspaper. :)
Fair enough!!:news:

HB

http://guestwickpromises.blogspot.com/