The Natural History Museum: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2018

A review for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at The Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2018

Since 1990, The Natural History Museum has showcased a collection of photos from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. Exhibited on light panels, visitors can view the world’s best wildlife photos.

On the 22nd October 2018, I went to the Natural History Museum to visit the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. The gallery of photos was beautiful and thought provoking. They presented ideas from the beauty of wildlife to the fragility of nature. I really liked the photograph of a fox standing in the middle of a derelict classroom. It was taken in the city of Pripyat which is within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone due to radiation. In the absence of humans, wildlife in Pripyat are thriving. The photographer, Adrian Bliss, was extremely lucky as the fox trotted into the classroom completely by chance. 

I also found it very inspiring that there were many entries from children around the world. The winner of the ’10 Years and Under’ category was Arshdeep Singh. He photographed two spotted owls in a pipe. Due to widespread deforestation, the owls have been forced to use the pipe as a nesting site. 

The atmosphere was calm as the people visiting were all there to enjoy the exhibition of breath-taking photographs. I noticed that many of these people were adults and I think that young people should be encouraged to visit as I feel like everyone would take pleasure in appreciating the photos. 

Although the Wildlife Photographer of the Year was a paid exhibition, I think it was worth it. For a small amount of money, I spent two hours looking at each photo and reading the caption under it. Tickets for this exhibition cost £13.50 for an adult and £8 for a child. 

I would definitely love to return next year to see the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2019 as it is amazing to see some beautiful images that have either a strong meaning or portray a photographer's hard work and dedication. 

Author

Victoria C

Victoria C

I am 17 and I am currently in the process of completing my Silver Arts Award. My interests include photography, jewelry crafting and music. I can play the piano (grade 7), guitar (self-taught) and the clarinet (grade 6).
For my A levels, I am studying maths, chemistry and physics; maths being my favourite subject at the moment.
My challenge for my Arts Award is to create wire sculptures of aspects of nature in the style of Karl Blossfeldt.
For Unit 2, I have created a relaxing CD with my peers.

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2 Comments

  • Bee Snellen

    On 10 December 2018, 15:25 Bee Snellen Voice Team commented:

    Hi Victoria! Would you mind adding an image to your profile? We'd love to know more about you!

    This is a great review! I wasn't aware they did an exhibition of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year at the Natural History Museum. It's definitely something I'm interested in. How were the images organised? By category, or did they have certain themes? Was there an overall message to the exhibition, such as climate change or human disruption?

  • Victoria C

    On 11 December 2018, 10:01 Victoria C commented:

    The photos were organised in categories such as 'Animals in their Environment', 'Behaviour: Birds/Mammals/Amphibians and Reptiles', 'Urban Wildlife' and 'Plants and Fungi'. In total, there were around 17 different categories with a winner for each one. I don't think there was an overall message, however most photos, especially those in the 'Wildlife Journalism' category had strong meanings. For example, the winner of the category, Joan de la Malla, took a photo called 'The Sad Clown'. In it, a macaque is being trained for a street show whilst wearing an uncomfortable clown mask.

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