“Deadly Bite” © Ian Ford, Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Highly Commended, Behavior: Mammals
“Ian Ford documents the moment a jaguar delivers a fatal bite to a caiman in the Pantanal. A call over the radio alerted Ian that a jaguar had been spotted prowling the banks of a São Lourenço River tributary. Kneeling in the boat, he was perfectly placed when the cat delivered the skull-crushing bite to the unsuspecting yacare caiman. The South American Pantanal wetland supports the highest density of jaguars anywhere in the world. With prey being so abundant, there is no need to compete for food, and the usually solitary big cats have been seen fishing, traveling, and playing together.” Location: Pantanal, Mato Grosso, Brazil Technical details: Sony α1 + 400mm f2.8 lens; 1/800 at f4 (-1 e/v); ISO 400

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition has released some of this year's extraordinary, highly commended photos ahead of its October winner's announcement. From a jaguar preying on a caiman to a close-up look at a David Bowie spider, the photographs show off the marvels of the natural world.

The 60th competition, organized by London's Natural History Museum, attracted a record-breaking 59,228 entries from photographers of all ages and experience levels from 117 countries and territories. An international panel of industry experts judged entries on their creativity, originality, and technical excellence.

These photographs are just a taste of the 100 images that will be on display during the forthcoming Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. The selection includes Randy Robbins' haunting photo of a deceased doe covered in frost, the first smartphone photo to be honored in the competition. In fact, the circle of life is on display in many images, including William Fortescue's evocative black-and-white image of mating lions and Tommy Trenchard's image of a shark struggling as it was hauled aboard a Spanish longliner.

“In this selection, you see species diversity, a range of behavior, and conservation issues,” shares Kathy Moran, chair of the judging panel. “These images represent the evolution of the competition through the years, from pure natural history to photography that fully embraces representation of the natural world—the beauty and the challenges. It is a powerful selection with which to kickstart a milestone anniversary.”

As part of the 60th anniversary celebrations, the Museum’s flagship exhibition will feature a timeline of key moments in the competition’s history.

“Over the decades, Wildlife Photographer of the Year has pushed the boundaries of wildlife photography as the competition evolved alongside technological advancements,” says Museum Director Dr. Doug Gurr. “But still today, the competition remains true to one of its founding objectives: ‘to enhance the prestige of wildlife photography in the hope that ultimately the awards would benefit animals by creating greater public interest in them and in that all-important topic—conservation.’”

Scroll down to preview more highly commended images from the competition and stay tuned for the October 8 announcement of the winners.

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition has released some of the 60th edition's extraordinary, highly commended photos.

“Ziggy Spider” © Lam Soon Tak, Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Highly Commended, Behaviour: Invertebrates
“Lam Soon Tak spots a vibrantly colored David Bowie spider carrying an egg sac. Lam was exploring the highlands of Malaysia when he came across this spider. Perched on broken branches beside a river, the bright white disc of eggs in the spider’s jaws and its orange body stood out against the lush green moss.
Found in Malaysia, Singapore and the Indonesian island of Sumatra, this spider was named in 2008 by arachnologist and Bowie fan Dr Peter Jäger. He thought the striking markings up to the spider’s head region resembled the make-up worn by the singer during the 1970s.”
Location: Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia
Technical details: Nikon Z 8 + 105mm f2.8 lens; 1/125 at f20; ISO 250; multiple flashes + DIY diffusers

“Stormy Scene” © William Fortescue, Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Highly Commended, Behavior: Mammals
“William Fortescue uses a backdrop of storm clouds lit by the setting sun to show mating lions. It was the rainy season when William visited the Serengeti National Park. He watched the lions mate several times before the female broke it off. It wasn’t until William viewed an enlarged image that he noticed the saliva trails and the explosion of insects from the male’s mane. Lions can mate throughout the year, but synchronizing the births of cubs increases the reproductive success of a pride. Female pride members display cooperative behaviors, including raising cubs together to ensure their survival into adulthood.”
Location: Namiri Plains, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Technical details: Nikon Z 9 + 70–200mm f2.8 lens; 1/1000 at f5; ISO 320

“Hooked” © Tommy Trenchard, Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Highly Commended, Oceans: The Bigger Picture
“Tommy Trenchard documents the bycatch of a requiem shark; its body arched in a final act of resistance. Tommy was traveling on the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise. The ship’s research expedition aimed to document the bycatch or accidental capture of sharks by fishing boats targeting tuna and swordfish, and to highlight the lack of effective regulation of industrial-scale fishing in international waters. Approximately 80 million sharks are taken from the world’s oceans every year. Because of fishing, numbers of sharks worldwide have dropped since 1970. Three-quarters of all shark species are now at risk of extinction.”
Location: International waters, South Atlantic Ocean
Technical details: Fujifilm X-T2 + 50–230mm f4.5–6.7 lens; 1/550 at f5.2; ISO 500

“The Last Resting Place” © Randy Robbins, Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Highly Commended, Natural Artistry
“Randy Robbins is struck by the unusual beauty of the frosted form of this deer on the forest floor. On an early winter morning, Randy was checking the trail cameras near his home when he found the body of this deer. He photographed this poignant moment using his smartphone before the ice could melt.”
Location: Near Susanville, California, USA
Technical details: Apple iPhone XR; 4.25mm built-in lens; 1/121 at f1.8

“Twist and Jump” © Jose Manuel Grandío , Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Highly Commended, Behavior: Mammals
“Jose Manuel Grandío braves below-zero temperatures to witness a stoat jumping high into the air above the snow. Winter is Jose’s favorite season for photography. When he spotted this stoat jumping mid-air on the last day of his trip, he saw this performance as an ‘expression of exuberance’ as the small mammal hurled itself about in a fresh fall of snow. Scientists refer to this behavior as dancing, although opinions are divided about what motivates it, from an attempt to confuse prey through to a parasitic infection. Stoats are usually active at night and prey on small mammals and birds.”
Location: Athose, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
Technical details: Nikon D500 + 500mm f4 lens; 1/6000 at f4; ISO 800

“Moonlight Hunter” © Xingchao Zhu, Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Highly Commended, Behavior: Mammals
“Xingchao Zhu comes face to face with a Pallas’s cat as the moon sets. Xingchao tracked a group of Pallas’s cats on the freezing plateau of Inner Mongolia for several days during the Chinese New Year in February 2023. Shortly before dawn, Xingchao managed to make eye contact with this cat, just as it had caught a small bird. The thick winter coats of Pallas’s cats help them survive at altitudes up to 5,000 meters (16,400 feet). They avoid larger predators by stealth, and it’s thought that their low, rounded ears allow them to peer over obstacles while remaining hidden.”
Location: Hulun Buir, Inner Mongolia, China
Technical details: Nikon Z 9 + 800mm f6.3 lens; 1/160 at f6.3; ISO 1400

The contest attracted a record-breaking 59,228 entries from photographers in 117 countries and territories.

“In the Spotlight” © Shreyovi Mehta, Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Runner-Up, 10 Years and Under
“Shreyovi Mehta finds two Indian peafowl ‘looking perfect for a picture’. Shreyovi was walking in the forest with her parents when she spotted this scene. She ran back to her dad, who was carrying the cameras, then got down on the ground to take her photograph from a low angle. Renowned for its birdlife, Keoladeo attracts large numbers of water birds in winter. Peafowl are year-round residents that roost in large trees. They rest in the shade during the day and are more active in open areas at dawn and dusk.”
Location: Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan, India
Technical details: Canon EOS R5 + 100–500mm f4.5–7.1 lens; 1/800 at f10; ISO 1600

“The Disappearing Ice Cap” © Thomas Vijayan, Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Highly Commended, Oceans: The Bigger Picture
“Thomas Vijayan utilizes his drone to show the epic scale of the Bråsvellbreen glacier. Encapsulating the magnificence of the Austfonna ice cap required meticulous planning and favorable weather conditions. Thomas’s image, a stitched panorama of 26 individual frames, provides a spectacular summer view of meltwater plunging over the edge of the Bråsvellbreen glacier. The Bråsvellbreen glacier is part of Austfonna, Europe’s third largest ice cap. This dome of ice is one of several that covers the land area of the Svalbard archipelago. Some scientific models suggest that Svalbard’s glaciers could disappear completely within 400 years due to climate change.”
Location: Svalbard, Norway
Technical details: DJI Mavic Mini 2 + 24mm f2.8 lens; 26 individual exposures

“Strength in Numbers” © Theo Bosboom, Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Highly Commended, Animals in their Environment
“Theo Bosboom shows how mussels bind together to avoid being washed away from the shoreline. Theo likes to take images of species that aren’t usually considered beautiful or important, to highlight their unappreciated significance. He took this image from above with a probe lens – a long, thin, macro wide-angle lens. Mussels play an important role in creating dynamic ecosystems for other marine invertebrates such as crustaceans, worms and even small fish. They improve the water quality by filter-feeding, extracting plankton as well as bacteria and toxins, which prevents them from building up to dangerous levels.”
Location: Praia da Ursa, Sintra, Portugal
Technical details: Canon EOS R5 + Laowa 24mm Periprobe lens; 0.6 sec at f32; ISO 200; focus stack of 9 images

“Going with the Floe” © Tamara Stubbs and Atlantic Productions, Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Highly Commended, Animals in their Environment.
“Tamara Stubbs spots these crabeater seals taking a nap among the sea ice. In a standout moment on her nine-week expedition in the Weddell Sea, Tamara noticed that seals had fallen asleep alongside the ship, with the tips of their nostrils at the water’s surface. These two had bobbed up so they could take a deeper breath. There are around four million crabeater seals in the Antarctic. Although they are not considered endangered or under threat, the seals are protected by international conservation agreements. More research is needed to understand the impact of climate change and tourism on their populations.”
Location: Weddell Sea, Antarctica
Technical details: Sony α7R II + Canon 24–70mm f2.8 lens at 70mm; 1/320 at f7.1; ISO 100; polarizing filter

“Precious Rocks” © Samual Stone, Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Highly Commended, Behavior: Birds.
“Samual Stone watches as a jackdaw brings stones to its nest. Samual had been keeping an eye on the hole in the trunk of a half-fallen willow tree in London’s Bushy Park – he’d seen a pair of jackdaws visiting with their beaks full of hair taken from the coats of local deer. Jackdaws are highly intelligent and adaptable. They build new nests each year from all sorts of materials: twigs, branches, feathers, wool, moss, mud, and animal dung. This pair kept adding rocks to theirs.”
Location: Bushy Park, London, England, UK
Technical details: Nikon D5500 + Sigma 150–600mm f5-6.3 lens; 1/500 at f6.3; ISO 800

“Leaving the Nest” © Sasha Jumanca, Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Highly Commended, 10 Years and Under
“Sasha Jumanca finds two tawny owlets curiously watching people walking by. Sasha had been watching these tawny owlets for several days in a park near his home. He had seen tawny owls in the neighborhood before but was surprised to discover these so close to the heart of the city. Owlets leave the nest before they can fly, in a phase known as ‘branching’. They will jump, flutter and climb around branches of nearby trees for several weeks while begging for food from their parents, before they eventually fledge and fly away.”
Location: Maximiliansanlagen, Munich, Germany
Technical details: Nikon D7200 + 200–500mm f5.6 lens at 270mm; 1/500 at f6.3; ISO 2200

“Center of Attention” © Georgina Steytler, Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Highly Commended, Behavior: Invertebrates
“Georgina Steytler observes a ball of male Dawson’s burrowing bees vying for access to a female. Georgina has been studying these bees for a few years and knew she had to keep her distance. Lying on the hot, rocky, sun-baked ground with sand blowing in her face, her long lens enabled her to get the perfect image. When female Dawson’s burrowing bees emerge in spring, they are surrounded by males competing to mate with them. After mating, the female bee will dig a new burrow filled with pollen and eggs, from which the hatched bees will emerge in spring.”
Location: Near Carnarvon, Western Australia, Australia
Technical details: Nikon Z 8 + 800mm f6.3 lens + 1.4x teleconverter; 1/5000 at f11; ISO 640

Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by the Natural History Museum – Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

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We've all seen rainbows, but have you ever witnessed a moonbow? Also known as a lunar rainbow, this optical phenomenon happens when moonlight is refracted through water droplets in the air. They're rarer than rainbows, which makes photographer Aaron Watson‘s image of a double moonbow even more special.

Watson of Skies-Alive Photography captured the incredible image in Colorado around 2 a.m., just one day before August's Supermoon Blue Moon. That evening, the photographer was awoken by the sound of rain when he looked out and saw the nearly full moon. Knowing that these were optimal conditions for a moonbow, he picked up his equipment and, to his delight, saw a double moonbow. It lasted for just a few minutes, but he was able to immortalize the moment on camera.

“Seeing the moonbow in this nighttime setting is subtle and surreal,” he tells My Modern Met. “This moonbow is a double, which adds to the allure. The sagebrush meadow and beautiful mountain in the distance provide a lovely touch of natural scenery. It was a wonderful but fleeting moment and I am glad to have the photos to remember it by.”

This is the third moonbow that Watson has photographed in the past year. Each sighting occurred when evening rain showers created the perfect environment. Given that he lives in an area with minimal skyglow and has the proper equipment to take long exposures, he was able to record all of the moonbows he saw this summer.

Anyone attempting to do the same will need three key ingredients—nighttime, a bright moon, and rain.

“If it is daytime or near twilight, it's probably a regular sun rainbow,” Watson warns. “Second, the moon needs to be in the sky. Also, its phase needs to be full or nearly full to be bright enough to make the moonbow shine. And third, there needs to be rain. Snow won't do it.

Late spring, summer, and early autumn are the best seasons, but it could appear anytime there is a bright moon and rain. Usually, with rain comes clouds, so for a moonbow, there needs to be a clear patch for the moon to shine through. Finally, the angle of the moon. Moonbows happen when the moon is close to the horizon (within 45 degrees), not when the moon is directly overhead.”

Armed with that knowledge, Watson hopes that people will become more aware of moonbows and try their hand at spotting one for themselves. For now, scroll down to see more of the spectacular double moonbow, as well as the single moonbow Watson photographed in July.

Photographer Aaron Watson photographed a rare double moonbow in mid-August.

The August double moonbow started as a single moonbow.

Moonbows occur when moonlight is refracted through water droplets in the air and are much rarer than rainbows.

July 2024 moonbow

July 2024 moonbow

Skies-Alive Photography: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Skies-Alive Photography.

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“Living with War” by Mouneb Taim. Best New Talent of the Year 2024. Non-professional Press Photographer of the Year.
“While the sounds of clashes and shelling were audible and warplanes in the sky, the peace player would play the bar to make the children feel safe. It was a scene mixed between pain and hope. It was the determination of people to live. Maybe the scene seems natural and routine to them because they are used to After more than 13 years of ongoing conflict in Syria.”

The winners of the prestigious Prix de la Photographie, Paris (PX3) photo competition have just been announced. Photographers compete across a diverse array of categories, including Advertising, Architecture, Book, Fine Art, Nature, Portraiture, Press, and Special. Each submission showcases the artist's extraordinary talent and creativity, further enriching the world of photography.

The competition, which has professional and non-professional divisions, is judged by distinguished figures from the international photography community. After evaluating thousands of entries from around the globe, they awarded Julia Fullerton-Batten the title of PX3 Photographer of the Year. The British photographer is known for her surreal, dramatically lit scenes that convey tension and mystery.

Her winning images center around the act of foot washing as a gesture of compassion, humanity, and respect. “These images evoke the humility and dignity that can transcend differences, reflecting the potential for connection even among those who disagree,” shares the competition in a statement.

Syrian photographer Mouneb Taim was named PX3 Best New Talent 2024 for his look at life in war-torn Syria. As the decade-long conflict in this country continues, it is often overlooked in the news cycle. Taim's unflinching look at people struggling for normalcy in a war zone shows the layered complexity of the situation.

“Each year, the PX3 competition continues to inspire and uncover breathtaking talent from across the globe. The 2024 winners have truly set a new standard in the art of photography, offering fresh perspectives and narratives that captivate and resonate,” says Hossein Farmani, founder of PX3. “We are honored to celebrate these artists and their exceptional contributions to the visual arts.”

Scroll down to see more competition winners. Their work will be published in the annual PX3 book, and their images will be included in exhibitions in Paris, the first of which will run from November 5 to November 9, 2024, at Galerie 24b.

Here are the winners of the prestigious Prix de la Photographie, Paris (PX3) photo competition.

“He Gets Us” by Julia Fullerton-Batten. Photographer of the Year 2024. Advertising Photographer of the Year.
“The act of washing one another’s feet is a beautiful human expression. It evokes reconciliation and peace. It’s submissive, permissive and inclusionary. The photographs capture the humility, respect and dignity we, as humans, could show each other – even to those we may not agree with.”

“A Day's Work” by Michael Knapstein. Portraiture Photographer of the Year.
“A series documenting the hardworking people who have helped build the American Midwest.”

“Wild Flowers” by Anne Mason-Hoerter. Nature Photographer of the Year.
“The environmental impact of climate change on the plant community is profound. As temperatures rise and weather patterns become more erratic, flowers face challenges in their lifecycle, from altered flowering times to habitat loss. This disruption affects the crucial role wildflowers play in ecosystems as primary sources of nectar and pollen for pollinators like bees and butterflies, essential for plant reproduction and biodiversity. This is a long term project to reconstruct plants affected by climate change based on my childhood memories of these plants.”

“Impact of War” by Patryk Jaracz. Press Photographer of the Year.
“The project is an examination of consequences of war in Ukraine through visual documentation of its impact. On the frontline war takes a direct shape of explosions and destruction resulting in hundreds of thousands of lost lives and once peaceful villages and cities turned into a rubble. Millions of people were forced to flee their homes while millions are living under constant threat without access to water, gas or electricity. While the smoke in the aftermath of explosion can be seen in the moment, pain and trauma may last for years or lifetimes to come.”

“The Descendants of Black Civil War Combatants” by Drew Gardner. Fine Art Photographer of the Year.
“The culmination of 3 years of painstaking research of family trees and archives to identify photos of Black Civil War combatants then to trace and contact their descendants and persuade them to be the sitter in the recreation the photograph of their forebear (with the descendant). The series was made possible by bringing the descendants together from all over the USA and carrying out the shoot in a daylight studio in New York, utilizing a tintype camera.”

“Beach Life” by Simon Heather. Non-professional Fine Art Photographer of the Year.
“Welcome to an aerial series that captures the fun and fulfillment of beach life – from relaxing days in Italian beach clubs, and the surprising turquoise of British waters, to surf escapades in Hawaii, and the bustling scenes of Portugal – each photo captures the essence of people reveling in local beach experiences in different parts of the world.”

“Nevermore” by Eva Chupikova. Non-professional Portraiture Photographer of the Year.
“Nevermore, a single word that encapsulates a profound sense of loss and finality. It echoes in the soul, reminding us of all that we once held, but can never have again. It speaks of the fleeting nature of our existence, of the relations and bonds which come and go, of the illusions and dreams unfulfilled. The weight of nevermore hangs heavy on the heart, a constant reminder of irrevocable endings, of who we once were and what we have lost. Time is a cruel thief, yet it is within this simple truth that life truly finds its meaning.”

“Weaknesses of the oceans” by António Coelho. Non-Professional Advertising Photographer of the Year.
“The oceans represent the element responsible for producing 50% of the oxygen we breath. Today, they are polluted, with changes in pH associated with the increase in global temperature, and there are floating islands of plastic. Microplastics are disseminated throughout the fish food chain. This series is exclusively aimed at this situation, the ocean, plastic, pollution and species extinction.”

Each photo showcases the artist's extraordinary talent and creativity.

“The Network” by Katherine Young. Non-professional Architecture Photographer of the Year.
“Part of a larger series of colorful building facades. In this group of images, I focus on more than one facade showing various textures, materials and colors complementing one another.”

“Underwater Kaleidoscope” by Iryna Vozniak. Non-professional Nature Photographer of the Year.
“These photos capture the essence of an underwater kaleidoscope, where nature's own palette is on full display. “Underwater Kaleidoscope” invites you to immerse yourself in the beauty of the deep, where these radiant creatures perform their silent, yet captivating, aquatic ballet.”

“Freedom Tower” by Louis Philippe Provost. Architecture Photographer of the Year.
“Last light of the day striking the Freedom Tower in Manhattan.”

“Two Windows” by Sara Goli. Special Photographer of the Year.
“As you see , there is two windows, one shadow and one real window .”

“Black and White Evanescence” by Gianluca Federighi. Special Photographer of the Year.
“Often in my abstract emotion reality takes on an imaginary vision and throws every geometry into crisis. My dusty thought pushes me to believe that life is something else looking for its soul in matter.”

“A Silent Witness To Beauty” by Robert David Atkinson. Book Photographer of the Year.
“A Silent Witness to Beauty is a captivating journey through the lens and the imagination of photographer and author Robert David Atkinson. This unique collection combines black-and-white photographs with fictional narratives to offer a truly immersive experience. Through the intimate portraits of birds and other wildlife, each photograph and story invites you to pause and contemplate the beauty of nature in its rawest form.”

PX3: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by PX3.

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“Destroy Together” by Haikun Liang. Overall Winner.

Now in its third year, the Black and White Photo Awards once again showcases exceptional imagery from around the globe. Nearly 5,000 black-and-white photographs were submitted to the highly regarded contest, with Haikun Liang winning the grand prize. His photo of revelers at a Spring Festival in China is a beautiful display of monochromatic photography.

Liang was singled out along with László Tóth, who won the Special Prize for Creativity, sponsored by SanDisk Professional. Tóth's image of birds in flight was created by superimposing individual frames. The result is certainly worthy of his time, vision, and technical skill, which is undoubtedly needed to produce such a powerful photo.

The contest also named five category winners. These stunning photos demonstrate that black and white photography can be effective in a number of photographic styles, whether that be landscapes, architecture, wildlife, portraiture, or street photography. With familiar names like Anup Shah, Alain Schroeder, and Francisco Negroni in the winner's circle, it's clear that the contest has already gained respect in the photography community.

Scroll down to see the 2024 Black and White Photo Awards winners, and then get ready for next year's edition, which will open for entry on January 1, 2025. All of the finalists can also be viewed on the official website.

Here are the winners of the 2024 Black and White Photo Awards.

“Spiral to the Tower” by László Tóth. Winner, Sandisk Special Awards for Creativity

“Architectural Playground” by Florian Kriechbaumer. Winner, Architecture

“The Dune” by Matteo Strassera. Winner, Landscape

“Baker Street Station 3” by Zhenhuan Zhou. Winner, Street.

“The image of fear” by Francisco Negroni. Second Winner, Landscape

“Pottery Village Girl” by Van Dong Nguyen. Winner, Portrait

“Explosion” by Anup Shah. Winner, Flora and Fauna

Now in its third year, the photo contest showcases monochromatic photography from around the globe.

“Black Hole” by Dorota Yamadag. Second Winner, Architecture

“The Fellowship” by Sina Ritter. Golden Mention, Flora and Fauna

“Hold on the Earth” by Jenq-Horng Liang. Gold Mention, Portrait

“Greatness” by Dhir Jakharia. Second Winner, Flora and Fauna

“Kim City 07” by Alain Schroeder. Second Winner, Street

“Rainbow Mountain” by Piotr Grochala. Bronze Mention, Landscape

“Scary” by Abhishek Basak. Second Winner, Portrait

Black and White Photo Awards: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by the Black and White Photo Awards.

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Filippo Borghi. Finalist, Portfolio.
“One of the Southern Ocean’s most formidable predators, the leopard seal.”

The 2024 Ocean Photographer of the Year contest finalists have been revealed. Culled from more than 15,000 photos submitted to the competition, the images highlight the beauty of the ocean and its perils.

In September, the Ocean Photographer of the Year and the youth competition winner will be announced. Individual categories spotlight the ocean, from Adventure and Wildlife to Conservation and Human Connection. Twelve finalist images were selected for each category, while three photographers—Filippo Borghi, Katherine Lu, and Shane Gross—were singled out thanks to the strength of their portfolios.

From incredible photos of a ferocious leopard seal to a portrait of a rare white sea turtle, these photos give us a new perspective on life underwater. At the same time, particularly in the conservation categories, they demonstrate the work that must be done to help it continue to thrive.

In one image, we see young common clownfish at a hatchery in Indonesia. While the species isn't endangered, the photo shows that even plentiful fish can see large population drops due to overfishing.

While we wait to see the winners, scroll down to see some of our favorite finalists from the 2024 contest. Then, to see the full gallery, head over to the Ocean Photographer of the Year website.

Here are some of our favorite finalists from the 2024 Ocean Photographer of the Year contest.

Jake Wilton. Finalist, Ocean Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
“In Papua New Guinea's Conflict Islands, conservation efforts have transformed former poachers into protectors, boosting turtle hatchling numbers. Amid this success, a rare leucistic green sea turtle was found amongst the nests.”

Byron Conroy. Finalist, Ocean Adventure Photographer of the Year.
“A scuba diver explores the Silfra fissure in Iceland, the tectonic boundary between the North American and Eurasian plates.”

Katherine Lu. Finalist, Portfolio.
“A nurse shark swims through a large school of jackfish.”

Giacomo d'Orlando. Finalist, Ocean Conservation Photographer of the Year (Hope).
“Juvenile common clownfish in a hatchery. The common clownfish population off the Jakarta coastline has decreased significantly as a result of overfishing and the ornamental fish trade. To counteract this movement, the government has created a hatchery in 2018 to revive the local clownfish population.”

Shane Gross. Finalist, Portfolio.
“A crested sculpin hides in the stinging tentacles of a lion’s mane jellyfish.”

The finalists were selected from the more than 15,000 images submitted to the photography contest.

Zhang Xiang. Finalist, The Human Connection Award: People and Planet Ocean.
“Fishermen in coastal Fujian dry their nets in intricate fashion. As they are woven with hemp fibres, they swell easily after being immersed in the water.”

João Pontes. Finalist, Young Ocean Photographer of the Year.
“A perfectly camouflaged lizardfish with prey in its mouth.”

Enric Adrian Gener. Finalist, Ocean Fine Art Photographer of the Year.
“A seagull rests on top of a sea turtle shortly before they both continue their own paths.”

Henley Spiers. Finalist, Ocean Fine Art Photographer of the Year.
“Juvenile Munk’s devil rays are attracted by a green light, seemingly flying through the water.”

Florian Ledoux. Finalist, Ocean Conservation Photographer of the Year (Hope).
“A male and female polar bear rest after mating high in the mountains.”

The winners will be announced in mid-September.

Clayton Harris. Finalist, Ocean Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
“A breaching humpback whale on its migration path along the Australian coastline.”

Frederik Brogaard. Finalist, Ocean Conservation Photographer of the Year (Impact).
“The second biggest whale, the fin whale, lies waiting for its turn to be butchered at a whaling plant in Iceland before getting sent to Japan.”

Scott Portelli. Finalist, Ocean Conservation Photographer of the Year (Impact).
“A melting ice shelf in the Arctic creates numerous waterfalls.”

Laura Leusko. Finalist, Ocean Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
“A fever of mobula rays from above. When the photographer’s drone inched closer, some rays started to jump out of the water.”

Seán O'Callaghan. Finalist, The Human Connection Award: People and Planet Ocean.
“A whale watching trip boat encounters a dead sperm whale. Its demise allowed researchers on the boat to gather data and opportunistic samples to learn from its death.”

Oceanographic Magazine: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Oceanographic Magazine.

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“Boy Meets Sharks” by Erin Brooks (USA). Grand Prize Winner. Shot on iPhone 15 Pro Max.

The iPhone Photography Awards (IPPAWARDS) have celebrated the art of storytelling for the past 17 years. And in announcing their 2024 winners, they once again prove how mobile photography has changed how we capture everyday moments. In a sea of stunning imagery, American photographer Erin Brooks rose to the top and was named the Grand Prize Winner.

Brooks' black-and-white photo of a boy's awe at marine life captures the magic of childhood. His wonder at seeing these sharks and fish is palpable, and Brooks does a fantastic job of rendering the details of what must have been a difficult environment to photograph. Glen Wilbert was named First Place Photographer of the Year for his fascinating look at lifeguards in Huntington Beach. His photo Lifeguard Camp, shot on an iPhone 11 Pro Max, captures the organized chaos and energy of lifeguards in training.

In addition to Photographer of the Year, IPPAWARDS also handed out prizes to 14 category winners. These winners show the diverse creative possibilities that iPhones can provide. From colorful architecture to artistic portraits, the winning photos demonstrate that you don't need fancy equipment to take incredible photographs.

Scroll down to see more winners, and head over to the IPPAWARDS website to see the full winner's gallery.

Here are the exceptional winners of the 2024 iPhone Photography Awards.

“Lifeguard Camp” by Glen Wilbert (USA). First Place, Photographer of the Year. Shot on iPhone 11 Pro Max.

“Pupils” by Anthony Maureal. Second Place, Photographer of the Year. Shot on iPhone 15 Pro.

Untitled by Wenlong Jiang (China). Third Place, Photographer of the Year. Shot on iPhone 14.

“Entrance to the Fancy Land” by Leping Cheng (China). First Place, Architecture. Shot on iPhone 12 Pro Max.

“Sweet Summer” by Dai Fushun. First Place, Still Life. Shot on iPhone 15 Pro Max.

“On the Swing of Childhood” by Daniel de Cerqueira (Brazil). First Place, Children. Shot on iPhone 11.

“Grace” by Artem-Koleganov (Germany). First Place, Portrait. Shot on iPhone X.

“Oompa Loompa” by Brooke Wilen (USA). First Place, People. Shot on iPhone 6S.

For 17 years, the IPPAWARDS have celebrated how mobile photography has changed how we capture everyday life.

“Huntsman, Horse & Hounds” by Colin Hoskins (UK). First Place, Animals. Shot on iPhone 7 Plus.

“Stream” by Shinya Itahana (Japan). First Place, Nature. Shot on iPhone 15 Pro.

“Sahara Surfing” by Khalid Mahmood (Sweden). First Place, Travel. Shot on iPhone 13 Pro.

“Night Sky in Lake Tekapo” by Paddy Chao (Taiwan). First Place, Landscape. Shot on iPhone 15 Pro Max.

“Jumping Into Dreams” by Xingping Zhou (China). First Place, Series. Shot on iPhone 13.

“Paradise” by Yanzhou Chen (China). First Place, Cityscape. Shot on iPhone 15 Pro Max.

“Pita Pinta” by Jose Manuel Garcia Gonzalez (Spain). First Place, Abstract. Shot on iPhone 14 Pro Max.

“Lifeguard Camp, SoCal” by Glen Wilbert (USA). First Place, Lifestyle. Shot on iPhone 11 Pro Max.

“What’s on your mind?” Jun Hu (China). First Place, Other. Shot on iPhone 7.

IPPAWARDS: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by IPPAWARDS.

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Every summer, the Perseid Meteor shower is a treat for anyone delighted by the night sky. From late July to mid-August, the Perseids rain down shooting stars. The impressive sight is a creative minefield for astrophotographers, and one British photographer took things to a new level by pairing the event with a world-famous monument.

Josh Dury‘s iconic image of the Perseids and the Milky Way over Stonehenge is so impressive that NASA named it Astronomy Picture of the Day. This is not surprising, given that the photo makes the mysterious monument look even more magical. Dury's most popular image to date, it was something he'd envisioned capturing for many years.

“With the monument being a part of my life for a long time and English Heritage having supported me over the years, I saw this as a great opportunity to capture this image with the dramatic backdrop of the Milky Way,” he tells My Modern Met.

Dury took the photo on August 9 and then spent a day stitching together the 46 frames that make up the final image. The shooting stars have a slight curve, appearing to hug the Milky Way behind Stonehenge. NASA notes that meteors always come down in straight lines, so the curves are due to the wide-angle lens that Dury used in his astrophotography.

It took three hours of photography for Dury to get all the individual frames he needed for the final image. It's a photograph that he feels fits into the narrative of Stonehenge and its history.

“Somewhere so mystical and timeless, such as Stonehenge, connected through the ancient, cosmic firework display of the Perseids—created from some of the most ancient material of the Solar System,” he says when asked what part of the photo is the most satisfying for him.

“This image pays fitting tribute.”

He hopes the photograph will inspire others to start their own relationship with the cosmos and pick up their cameras to capture all they have to offer.

Josh Dury took advantage of the Perseid Meteor shower to take this photo of shooting stars over Stonehenge.

 

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Josh Dury: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Josh Dury.

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READ: Stunning Photo of Perseids Raining Shooting Stars Over Stonehenge

Photo: belchonock/Depositphotos (Not a photo of the actual stolen photography gear.)

Few things keep photographers up at night as the idea of losing their gear. Not only are cameras and accessories expensive, but they’re also their work tools. Many photographers even depend on their equipment for their livelihood. That's why, when Benj Haisch had his bag stolen during a trip to Denmark, he sprinted into action, determined to recover his precious equipment.

Haisch, who was on a family trip when disaster hit, recounted his experience in a video. After a detour to the apartment he was staying at with his kids, he panicked when he realized he had left his bag unattended in a bike buggy. In a few moments, it was gone. Inside were a Sony a9 III, a Hasselblad 907X with the CFV 100c back, a Leica 50mm Summilux, and various other accessories—altogether worth over $27,000.

The photographer then remembered he had an AirTag stashed on his a9, which said the bag was only a few miles away. Not wasting a single moment, he put on his Meta Ray-Bans and went out to confront the thieves, recording the tense interaction to get his equipment back. As he walked around after tracking the camera, he spotted the bag in possession of a couple of men.

Luckily, things never escalated, as Haisch's calmness helped him navigate the tricky situation. “I had caught them off guard without being threatening,” Haisch explains. “It never turned into anything more than a simple argument about how I can get this bag back.”

While everything had been smooth, one of the man's friends told him to ask Haisch for money. In the end, he had to give the thief 200 danish krone, approximately $28—something the photographer knows wasn't fair.

“At that point, I have a decision to make,” says Haisch. “Should I continue to escalate the situation or should I unjustly give this guy the equivalent of $28?”

Ultimately, Haisch recovered his equipment. But he still doesn't recommend doing it, crediting the success of the mission to his big build and confidence, as well as it all happening in broad daylight and in a very busy area. But what he does endorse is the use of AirTags in valuable equipment.

Haisch has previously recorded tutorials about how to incorporate AirTags in a camera—rather than in a bag that can just be tossed away. Still, should you ever find yourself in a similar situation, be mindful of your safety before walking into danger.

When photographer Benj Haisch had his gear stolen during a trip to Denmark, he sprinted into action, recording a video of how he got his equipment back.

Benj Haisch: Website | Instagram | YouTube
h/t: [PetaPixel]

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Wildlife photographer Joe Moreno recently visited Lake Clark National Park in Alaska to capture the remarkable Alaska Peninsula brown bears, often referred to as “peninsular grizzlies.” These majestic creatures are among the largest brown bears in the world, yet Moreno captures intimate moments that reveal their surprisingly gentle side.

Lake Clark National Park is renowned for its wild beauty. Its lush forests and pristine rivers create an ideal habitat for brown bears, as the land is abundant in food sources such as protein-rich sedge grass, berries, and, come late July, a significant salmon run. Fortunately, the land and the bears are now protected, but this wasn’t always the case.

“Lake Clark is a very unique and special place to view Coastal Brown Bears in their natural habitat,” Moreno tells My Modern Met. “Forty years ago was the last time a bear was hunted and killed in this location.” Today, lodge owners, park rangers, and guides strive to build trust with the native brown bears, fostering a sense of tolerance and respect from these magnificent animals.

Wildlife photographers from around the world started coming to the Kenai Peninsula in Lake Clark National Park around 15 years ago, but they can’t get up close to the bears without a trained guide close by. Moreno explains, “There are hard rules that humans need to follow and by doing so continue the positive relationship between bears and humans.”

Following safety guidelines and gaining the bears’ trust have really paid off for Moreno. His amazing photos give us a glimpse into the fascinating lives and personalities of these notorious grizzlies. Each bear appears completely unfazed by Moreno’s presence as they roam the land, hunt, eat, wrestle, and entertain potential mates.

“You know when bears are play-fighting because they do not make any vocalizations like the bears in this photograph,” Moreno said of one particular shot. “However, when they fight for real, you hear sounds coming from deep within them that are what nightmares are made of.”

During his time at the park, Moreno learned to recognize the individual bears living there. One particularly striking photo captures a female bear named “Crimp Ear” gazing sleepily into the camera as she relaxes on the beach. Moreno reveals, “Her friends just call her Crimp.”

Scroll down to see more of Moreno's exceptional grizzly bear photography, which is also available for purchase.

Wildlife photographer Joe Moreno recently captured the remarkable lives of Alaska Peninsula brown bears at Lake Clark National Park.

These majestic creatures are among the largest brown bears in the world, yet Moreno captures intimate moments that reveal their surprisingly gentle side.

Moreno's amazing photos give us a glimpse into the fascinating lives and personalities of these notorious grizzlies.

The park's rangers and guides have spent years building trust with the native bears, fostering a sense of tolerance from these magnificent animals.

Moreno's incredible photos raise awareness about the importance of preserving wild environments and their inhabitants.

Joe Moreno: Instagram | Shop

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Joe Moreno.

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Spanish artist Almudena Romero is keenly aware of the impact that humans have on the environment, and so she's turned to an environmentally friendly way to display her artistry. Eight years ago, after a decade of working with the wet collodion process, she turned to plants as the perfect photographic paper. Using the natural process of photosynthesis, she's able to produce exceptional photo prints on a unique backdrop.

Plant-based photography was developed in the 19th century by John Herschel and Mary Somerville, who used plant juices and flowers to create color photographs. While Romero was inspired by their innovation, she uses a different technique to bring her work to life.

“I just put a negative on top of the leaf and leave it to the sunlight, and then the image gets recorded on the leaf,” Romero tells CNN. The areas that receive more light produce more chlorophyll and so are darker. Conversely, the areas that receive less light exposure remain pale, helping create the overall image.

Romero's journey into plant-based photography began in her grandmother's garden, where she tested more than 50 plants to see which worked best for printing. From there, she never looked back. She enjoys the process, not only for its low impact on the environment but for the memories she shares in developing her technique in her grandmother's garden.

“Many artists are captivated by the materials and processes they use and dedicate their practice to exploring their medium in depth,” she tells My Modern Met. “I can surely say I am enchanted by both—photography and plants.”

Romero has also expanded her practice beyond leaves, growing large cress panels to act as a canvas for her photographs. After the cress has been grown in the dark, she uses a projector to place her negative and then lets nature take its course.

Currently, she's gearing up for her largest work to date, which was commissioned by France’s National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment. The final image will be created using different wheats and grains to produce a rich color palette. The piece, slated for completion by June 2025, will be as large as a stadium.

Big or small, Romero's hope for her art remains the same. “I hope my work provides an eye-opening experience for its audiences,” she says, “and that plant-based photography becomes as well known as other photographic forms. My artworks promote an expansive understanding of the photographic medium, beyond the usual digital vs analogue dichotomy.”

Romero's work will be on view from August 21 to September 6, 2024, at London's Sarabande Foundation as part of the …stay longer group exhibition.

Photographer Almudena Romero prints her images on a unique medium—plants.

She began harnessing the power of photosynthesis eight years ago, experimenting with plants in her grandmother's garden.

Her decision was partly driven by her desire to move away from the harsh chemicals that darkroom processing typically requires.

She has also expanded to printing photos on large panels of cress.

 

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A post shared by ALMUDENA ROMERO (@almudena.romero)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ALMUDENA ROMERO (@almudena.romero)

Almudena Romero: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Almudena Romero.

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