The Australian National Maritime Museum is thrilled to see the return of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, now in its 59th year. On loan from the Natural History Museum in London, this exhibition highlights a myriad of plant and animal species from the lens of wildlife photographers worldwide.
These breathtaking images capture both the beauty and the traumas faced by our natural environment and invite audiences to see the world from a unique perspective and understand the importance of protecting and advocating for wildlife conservation.
The exhibition features over 100 award-winning images, including the Grand Title winner, French photographer Laurent Ballesta whose ethereal image of a golden horseshoe crab taken near Pangatalan Island in the Philippines has earned him the title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year for the second time.
Judges of the Natural History Museum’s 59thWildlife Photographer of the Year competition had the challenging task of reviewing nearly 50,000 entries from 95 countries, which were assessed and judged anonymously by an international panel of experts, on criteria including originality, narrative, technical excellence, and ethical practice.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year is one of the world’s most prestigious photography competitions, which tours the world each year.
Australian National Maritime Museum CEO and Director Ms Daryl Karp AM said, ‘Each year we welcome the finest wildlife images from the world’s finest wildlife photographers. Wildlife Photographer of the Year is a perennial favourite with audiences here. These are powerful, beautiful and perfectly timed images that surprise, inspire and amaze. There is no better space to lose and immerse yourself in this planet’s natural world.’
Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London.
The exhibition opens at the Australian National Maritime Museum from June 16 and runs until November.
