Manx National Heritage is thrilled to present Wildlife Photographer of the Year on tour from the Natural History Museum in London. The world-renowned exhibition opens at the House of Manannan on Saturday 5 August from 9.30 – 4.30 daily, closing on Sunday 8 October.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the most prestigious photography exhibition of its kind, providing a global platform that showcases some of the best photography talent from around the world. Launched in 1965, today the competition receives entries from over 90 countries.
Laura McCoy, Curator for Natural History for Manx National Heritage said:
“Wildlife Photographer of the Year offers the opportunity to discover the natural world in all its wonder and diversity through remarkable photographs illustrating the precious beauty of our planet. These spectacular images have been on tour in the UK and internationally, including in Australia, Canada, Germany, the USA, and Manx National Heritage is delighted to be sharing them on the Isle of Man in an exhibition not to be missed”.
The judges of the fifty-eighth Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition had an extremely difficult task. Every entry was judged anonymously on its creativity, originality, and technical excellence by an international panel of industry experts.
The exhibition will position the photographs among short videos, quotes from judges and photographers as well as insights from scientists which invite you to explore how human actions continue to shape the natural world.
Dr. Doug Gurr, Director of the Natural History Museum said:
“Captured by some of the best photography talent from around the world, the 100 photographs encourage curiosity, connection and wonder. These inspiring images convey human impact on the natural world in a way that words cannot – from the urgency of declining biodiversity to the inspiring bounce back of a protected species”.
Tickets are on sale now, costing from £3 – £5 at manxnationalheritage.im, with concessions available, including for children, members of the Friends of Manx National Heritage and pre-booked groups.
ENDS
Images:
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Polar frame by Dmitry Kokh, Russia
Highly commended, Animal Portraits Dmitry Kokh shares an otherworldly encounter of polar bears taking over an abandoned settlement. When Dmitry’s boat approached the small island of Kolyuchin, in the Russian High Arctic, which had been abandoned by humans since 1992, he was surprised to spot movement in one of the houses. Binoculars revealed polar bears – over 20 in total – exploring the ghost town. Dmitry used a low-noise drone to document the surreal experience. Extremely inquisitive, polar bears will investigate abandoned structures for potential food. With climate change reducing sea ice, hunting is becoming increasingly difficult, pushing these bears closer to human settlements to scavenge. Location: Kolyuchin Island, Chukotka, Russia Technical details: DJI Mavic 2 Pro + Hasselblad L1D-20c + 28mm f2.8 lens; 1/320 sec at f3.2; ISO 100 |
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Underwater wonderland by Tiina Törmänen, Finland
Highly commended, Under Water Tiina Törmänen floats through sheets of cloud-like algae in search of fish. Tiina was thrilled to meet a school of inquisitive European perch on her annual lake snorkel. During the previous three years she had only ever found dead fish. Submerged in the surreal scene, she framed the orange-finned fish flying through clouds of pink-tinged algae. Although it created a beautiful scene, excessive algal growth, a result of climate change and warming waters, can cause problems for aquatic wildlife as it uses up oxygen and blocks out sunlight. Location: Posio, Finland Technical details: Canon EOS R5 + 15–35mm f2.8 lens at 15mm; 1/250 sec at f8; ISO 500; Nauticam housing. |
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Treefrog pool party by Brandon Güell, Costa Rica/USA
Highly commended, Behaviour: Amphibians and Reptiles Brandon Güell wades through murky water to document a rare breeding frenzy of frogs. Plagued by mosquitoes, Brandon waded chest-deep into the murky water where a gathering of male gliding treefrogs were calling. At dawn thousands of females arrived at the pool to mate and lay their eggs on overhanging palm fronds. Here, unmated males search for females to mate with. These spectacular mass-breeding events occur in only a few remote locations, a few times a year. Each female lays around 200 eggs, creating huge egg masses. Eventually the tadpoles will drop into the water below. Location: Osa Peninsula, Puntarenas, Costa Rica Technical details: Canon EOS 70D + 50mm f1.8 lens; 1/125 sec at f2.8; ISO 250 |
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Media contact:
Lynsey Clague BA (Hons) MCIPR
Communications Manager – Manx National Heritage
T: 01624 648032
Manx National Heritage, Eiraght Ashoonagh Vannin
Manx Museum, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 3LY
Isle of Man Registered Charity No 603