CfE: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2014

This year’s search for the world’s greatest wildlife images is almost over. But there’s still time to enter, as the 50th Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition closes on 27 February 2014. Amateur and professional photographers alike are invited to submit images to 18 categories, with four categories open exclusively to those aged 17 and under.

Photographers compete for one of two coveted grand titles and a share of a prize pot worth £50,000. In addition, they vye for the chance to be in an exhibition that debuts at the Natural History Museum in London before touring six continents. New for the 50th competition is a revised category structure and new awards, including the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Portfolio Award. There is a wider range of photographic techniques such as time lapse photography; and a new category for young smartphone photographers, WILD-I. For half a century, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition has showcased iconic images of life on earth. It is regarded as the most prestigious wildlife photography contest in the world. Last year the competition received over 43,000 entries from photographers across 96 countries. 2013’s overall title was claimed by South African Greg du Toit, for his image Essence of elephants. Greg’s image is the product of a lifetime’s fascination with elephants, and his desire to capture the animal’s ‘special energy’. The Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year accolade was awarded to 14-year-old Udayan Rao Pawar from India, for his photograph of gharial crocodiles titled Mother’s little headful. Gharials were once found in rivers all over the Indian subcontinent, but, today, just 200 or so breeding adults remain in two per cent of the former range. To submit entries or for further details on the competition see www.wildlifephotographeroftheyear.com –

Image: Greg du Toit, Essence of elephants / Winner: Animal Portraits and Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2013