Wildlife Photographer of the Year

[bara03]

Just saw this link to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year on bbc's (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7696188.stm)web-site, I don't think it's been posted yet, I did a quick search.

Anyway, the winner took his picture using a Canon Rebel XT.

[Michael_Lambert]

That snake and frog shot is amazing!

[Kiddo]

WOW...... That snake and frog one is really cool....

[Michael_Lambert]

Its just like that old cartoon about not giving up!

http://www.art-machine.co.uk/images/Heron-and-frog.jpg

[bara03]

I like the eagle one the best.

[DonE]

Insane images. Wow!!

[Maddog12]

"Trouble-maker" is hilarious

But the snake and the frog takes the cake for me.

[ajosteve]

Amazing shots thanks for posting this!

[bara03]

Amazing shots thanks for posting this!

No probs, I was quite surprised it wasn't already posted on here.

[sheawyatt]

Just saw this link to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year on bbc's (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7696188.stm)web-site, I don't think it's been posted yet, I did a quick search.

Anyway, the winner took his picture using a Canon Rebel XT.

The article says that Steve used 14 remote cameras, in 45 locations, over 13 months. I certainly wouldn't have wanted to drag 14 1-series + 14 L lenses over the Himalayas, so I think the light weight and small size of the Revel XT were good things to have. Also the cameras were prefocused, and in waterproof housings, so weatherproofing, durability and autofocus capability were not of importance.

If you read the NatGeo article the photos were for, there are really only a handful of images that made the cut. In any case, I think this is a good example of when patience and perseverance are more important than the camera.


The snake and frog are awesome too.

[S.Horton]

I wonder if Steve Winter is a POTN member........

GREAT stuff!

[Travisj]

Very nice shots, I can't decide which one I like the best. Thanks for posting that up.


OT, not to take anything away from anyone but does anyone feel like he was cheating? Having everything set up and then coming back to check on it to see what, if anything there was? Like I said, not trying to start a fight or anything but to win an award like that does anyone feel like he should have been there to push the button himself? Just curious...:D

[eddarr]

Very nice shots, I can't decide which one I like the best. Thanks for posting that up.


OT, not to take anything away from anyone but does anyone feel like he was cheating? Having everything set up and then coming back to check on it to see what, if anything there was? Like I said, not trying to start a fight or anything but to win an award like that does anyone feel like he should have been there to push the button himself? Just curious...:D

I'm going to continue this comment just a little. But I also want to emphasize that even my questioning it does not take away from my respect for all the photographers involved.

I questioned the remote camera's at first and to some extent still do. But here is a simple truth. No body in mossy oak camo and scent blocker will ever get that close to a snow leopard. Check out the part of Planet Earth regarding snow leopards for a better explanation of how hard that would be.

The biggest thing I question is how they are calling it the "Photographer" of the year when it really should be the "Photo" of the year. This title is based upon a single photo rather than all of the work they have done that year or in their lifetime. While most really successful photographers have their one or two iconic images I don't think a single image makes for a photographer of the year award. I guess I'm just splitting hairs here. Call it whatever you want the images speak for themselves.

[devil350]

Amazing shots, wow, the one with the fog and snake is the most incredible I think.
Then the one with eagles.

Laurent.

[EveryMilesAMemory]

I'm going to continue this comment just a little. But I also want to emphasize that even my questioning it does not take away from my respect for all the photographers involved.

I questioned the remote camera's at first and to some extent still do. But here is a simple truth. No body in mossy oak camo and scent blocker will ever get that close to a snow leopard. Check out the part of Planet Earth regarding snow leopards for a better explanation of how hard that would be.

The biggest thing I question is how they are calling it the "Photographer" of the year when it really should be the "Photo" of the year. This title is based upon a single photo rather than all of the work they have done that year or in their lifetime. While most really successful photographers have their one or two iconic images I don't think a single image makes for a photographer of the year award. I guess I'm just splitting hairs here. Call it whatever you want the images speak for themselves.

I'd have to agree with you two.

First thing I thought was "How is this a Photographer of the Year if he had 45 cameras set up and pre-focused?" That's just luck!

Now the other shots, I think those are all outstanding and every one of them would get my vote. The snake and the frog = Outstanding! The Eagles = Amazing!! The Monkey = Hilarious and almost looks like studio lighting!

But calling it photographer of the year is a stretch as it should be photograph of the year.

Splitting hairs here I know, but if I went and set up 45 cameras and prefocused them, surely after 13 months, I'd have a couple of winners on the compact flash card

Now huffing all that equipment up over the mountains, he does deserve some sort of award for that..LOL

[duffguy808]

the monkey picture is also cool. all great pictures

[ctranter]

The bee-eater in flight stood out to me

[camerageorge]

The snake and frog one jumped out at me, as well as the monkey in the forest with an almost human expression. Overall, the standard was as high as ever!

[russ_hillis]

I'd have to agree with you two.

First thing I thought was "How is this a Photographer of the Year if he had 45 cameras set up and pre-focused?" That's just luck!

Now the other shots, I think those are all outstanding and every one of them would get my vote. The snake and the frog = Outstanding! The Eagles = Amazing!! The Monkey = Hilarious and almost looks like studio lighting!

But calling it photographer of the year is a stretch as it should be photograph of the year.

Splitting hairs here I know, but if I went and set up 45 cameras and prefocused them, surely after 13 months, I'd have a couple of winners on the compact flash card

Now huffing all that equipment up over the mountains, he does deserve some sort of award for that..LOL

Having played with remote triggered cameras quite a bit I can tell you that you don't just slap camera's here, there and everywhere. It takes knowledge of the game being targeted to be successful. Empty cameras or worse ones that have "falsed" due to poor placement are quite common. I would have to say there's at least as much skill involved using remote triggered cams as there is going to the Zoo In fact I'm guessing that it takes more skill since it's pretty easy to figure out which trail an animal in the zoo is going to use.