Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2010: What do YOU think?

With the results having just been announced from the Veolia Environment Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition 2010, we get the first chance to see what are deemed to be some of the best wildlife photographs this year. Previous year's decisions have been met with controversy, especially last year. I have just received my BBC Wildlife magazine and inside is a booklet with all the winning images.

If you don't get this great magazine, then the images can be viewed from the Natural History Museum website. Click on the image below.

What do you think of this year's images... which do you like best? Let us know here!

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Permalink Reply by Mark Williams on October 22, 2010 at 14:49

Love the technical ability to capture the ants but somehow the image itself doesn't work for me. Love the Cheetahs and Springbok just a stunning image both in ability and quality on such a fast moving subject.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Roberts on October 23, 2010 at 9:51

I too think the cheetah photo is superb : My favourites are the Cape petrels over the rough sea, and the Goshawks. Both awesome images. To be slightly controversial, i was amazed to see the winner in the 10 years and under section was using a Nikon D3 with a 70-210 f2.8 lens attached. When i was 10, i had the technological delights of a Kodak Brownie 127 to use. I coudn't have afforded to stick chewing gum on the front, let alone a £1700 lens. Not that it took lenses anyway. Even now i can only dream of being able to afford an D3. Though it was probably his parents camera, it does beg the question of a certain advantage. Anyway, i also thought the photojournalist of the year photos were very strong, and highlighted that we've still a long way to go in conservation in the far east.

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Cole on October 23, 2010 at 20:00

I too received my copy in the post yesterday and also thought the 'The Moment' Cheetah picture on page 37 was good. I think it captures the fight for survival of both the Cheetah and the Springbok, both using all their might and strength to live, such a powerful image.The 'Marvel of Ants' photo doesn't do it for me. It was a really clever thought and shows complex behaviour. I think, maybe for me it lacks emotion?

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Permalink Reply by Michael Hartup on November 5, 2010 at 22:46

I'm a bit late on this thread... but I'm glad someone else has picked up on this, and it's not just me being cynical. Every year I am always impressed by how much pocket money these kids can save up. I'm 37, and still saving up for my D3...

I really haven't looked at any of the photo's online yet - I'll be heading into town to see the prints just as soon as I can because (cynicism aside) i'm really looking forward to it.

PS wasn't last years controversy all about the wolf being tame? - aside from being totally disqualified, it was a nice image! ...and the only one I remember being shot on film. (think it was a hassleblad on a camera trap??).

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Permalink Reply by Marcus on November 6, 2010 at 0:37

I havent seen the full book yet, just the online gallery, but of those in the gallery Bridgena Barnard's "The moment" jumps out as one of the greatest photos this year. I do like the main winner. Bence Máté's "Marvel of Ants" is a spectacular and unique image, and so I would also give it the prize choosing from those I have seen. Thinking back over all of the previous books, I dont recall a similar photo. I love the silhouetted display of the different castes of ants. I think I can see three different castes there, minors which patrol the area around foraging lines, mediae which do the leaf cutting and transporting, and some majors, the largest worker ants, which act as soldiers and heavy lifters. Any leaf cutting ant experts around who can shed any more light on the winning photo?

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Permalink Reply by Sue Howlett on December 8, 2010 at 12:49

I have just been to see the exhibition at the NHM and they way they present and lit the shots is stunning, nice and big so you can really appreciate them.
As I like birds and birding I really appreciated the Chick delight in the 15-17 year old category, Pelican Pack in the Gerald Durrell award, but the thoughtful baboon was very thought provoking if a little unnerving.

It’s really hard to pick a favourite. The quality of the shots was amazing. I have always felt that perhaps my photography isn't up to these standards (I still don't think they are!) but it has inspired me to go out and have a go (practice makes perfect so they say ) and enter next year’s competition. If you haven’t been take some time out and treat yourself you won’t regret it.