Each year, theNature Conservancy’s global photography contestreceives masses of entries from photographers all around the world. Breathtaking images of our world at it’s finest.
As the organisation’s director of photography, Bill Marr explains “TNC’s Photo Contest is a wonderful intersection for those who love nature and those who love photography. We have wonderful entries from all over the world, from beautiful Western landscapes to squirrels in a backyard in Austria. Photography is a common language for all.”
As you can imagine, the entries are fairly magnificent, over the last couple of years alone, there have been some seriously impressive images. We’ve collected some of our favourite images for your enjoyment, but there are many more to view inthe past galleries.
Sunrise swim
Penguins in paradise. This brilliant photo shows the magnificent creatures in their natural habitat before a refreshing morning dip. The photographer tells the tale of the effort that went into taking this incredible competition entry:
“King penguins gather on beach at Salisbury Plain, South Georgia Island for a morning swim. Making it ashore at sunrise in South Georgia requires a bit of planning since it is really about 3 am. South Georgia is a natural paradise.”
From the ferocity of nature, to the incredible, breath-taking beauty. This image from Jeremy Stevens shows the peaceful beauty of Iceland.
“Aldeyjarfoss Waterfall in Iceland, January 2018. The places that are hardest to get to are often the best and most peaceful.”
Pure energy and fire
This photo shows the sheer destructive force hidden beneath the surface of our humble planet. An incredibly clear night’s sky makes a magnificent backdrop for the Colima volcano in Mexico.
“Colima volcano erupting during the night showing its strength, was taken in the Yerbabuena, Comala, Colima. Volcanic eruptions in small quantities help reduce global warming.”
Cosmic Cany Cane
The folding plains of nature, the incredible curves of the landscape and a view that’s awash with colour and wonder. This brilliant photograph by Dustin Gregory shows the majesty of our world, with untouched nature on display under an incredible night’s sky.
“Geologic wonders unfold beneath the starry skies of Valley of Fire State Park in May 2017. The immense light pollution emanating from Las Vegas illuminates the landscape making it almost appear to be daytime in the dead of night. This place had a spooky aura that night and I felt as if I was being watched, making for one of my most uneasy yet memorable nights of shooting the night sky.”
The end is near - second place
This lone shard of an iceberg seems to speak volumes about global warming. This photograph, perfectly titled “the end is near” was taken in Iceland by photographer Andre Mercier and chosen as the second place winner for the competition.
“This ice could be thousands of years old, and only recently broke off the Vatnajokull Glacier at Jokulsarlon Bay in Iceland, and will soon melt into the sea…”
Stallions Playing - grand prize winner
This incredible image by Camille Briottet was selected as the grand prize winner this year. The photographer describes the scene unfolding before our eyes:
“Two young stallions play on the Rhône Delta in the Camarguais region of France. They are training for future fights against other stallions for reproduction rights within the herd. This image inspires me because it shows both the strength and freedom of nature. My photograph is telling the story that life is a fight! Nature is magnificent, albeit, hard and sometimes cruel; but at the same time, nature is whole and true.”
Meeting of the alligators
These alligators casually sitting around in the waters make them seem docile and beautiful too. Another simple nature photograph that shows just how different our world can be.
“Lagoon with many alligators in the Northern Pantanal, Poconé region. Late afternoon left the scene a bluish colour.”
Icy Reflection
Sometimes in nature, undisturbed beauty also means perfect symmetry. This incredible image is from Iceland and once again shows the attraction of that part of the world. Photographer Stephen Dean explains:
“Vatnajokull National Park, Iceland - An iceberg in Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon that has calved from the Vatnajokull Glacier. The iceberg is perfectly reflected in the calm water of the lagoon- I particularly liked the symmetry of this particular iceberg”
Her Majesty
This photo by Aristo Risi shows the destructive forces of man colliding with the depths of nature. Strangely beautiful.
“A plastic bag in its natural habitat, the ocean. Shot in Shellharbour in 2017. Plastic was once worshipped, now it destroys everything we love. Nature connects us all, we have a duty to protect her.”
This image seems to show just how peaceful nature can be and, perhaps, just how insignificant mankind can be in the grand scheme of things. The waters of the dead sea are only slightly disturbed by a lone swimmer at the very edge.
Photographer Aline Fortuna describes the scene:
“One of the most unique experiences of the world in the lowest point on earth. We belong to nature and not the reverse. Without nature, we do not live, but without us, it lives.”
