Both winners’ photos will also be featured on the cover of an upcoming issue of the Journal of Wildlife Photography.
There is a measure of ambiguity to such a theme. I used to have moose in my backyard on a regular basis, for instance. While I understand that even the charismatic megafauna we all love to photograph can be found in someone’s backyard out there at some point, we are going to focus in on the smaller majority here.
The idea behind this photography contest is to encourage participants to begin looking at and recognizing the diversity and beauty in the menagerie of species all around them that are so regularly overlooked or unseen by wildlife photographers and society at large.
Although you will need to use your discretion here as to what exactly this means to you, here are some examples of what we are and what we are not looking for.
Yes:
No:
Of course, neither of these are exhaustive lists. They are just here to guide you. Common subjects that most wildlife photographers create images of, such as deer and egrets, are not what we are looking for here. However, those subjects that are more likely to be photographed with a macro lens than a telephoto are.
Jim Floyd of Minnesota won for this jaw-droppingly beautiful photograph of a polar bear!
Jim won a $1,500 gift card to B&H Photo.
Kathy Waybrant of Ontario won for her amazing photograph of an American marten in the snow!
Kathy won a $1,500 gift card to B&H Photo.
Michael submitted a beautifully simplistic composition of Gemmed Satyr butterfly resting beside a pawpaw flower.
Michael won a Really Right Stuff TVC-34 Versa Series 3 Mk2 Carbon Fiber Tripod ($1,100 value)
Scott’s photograph of a bald eagle. The pose, the light, the fog in the background. Everything about it is simply beautiful.
Scott won a Really Right Stuff TVC-34 Versa Series 3 Mk2 Carbon Fiber Tripod and a Wimberley WH-200 Gimbal Tripod Head II with Quick Release Base ($1,695 value)
ARE YOU READY?
In addition to learning about the technical side of photography, light, and composition, you will also find articles teaching you how to consistently find animals by braiding together their ecology and your photography.
Kiliii Yuyan a professional photographer for National Geographic and paying Journal subscriber explains it .
NEW Underwater Photography