Natural History Museum's Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition’s winners was revealed on Tuesday (October 12, 2021). The contest has been topped by French underwater photographer and biologist Laurent Ballesta. He beautifully captured a photograph of the mating ritual of camouflage groupers, which was taken in a biosphere reserve in Fakarava, French Polynesia. The image was named – “Creations”.
“The winning image by Mr Ballesta captures the rare sight of camouflage groupers exiting their milky cloud of eggs and sperm in Fakarava, French Polynesia”, the competition said in a statement.
“It is surprising, energetic, and intriguing and has an otherworldly beauty. It also captures a magical moment – a truly explosive creation of life – leaving the tail-end of the exodus of eggs hanging for a moment like a symbolic question mark,” said Chair of the Jury Roz Kidman Cox.
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A museum praised the photographer and said, “The shot was not easy to take as camouflage groupers are vulnerable species that are now threatened by overfishing”.
Have a look at the eye-catching picture here:
The Young Photographer Of The Year 2021 is 10-year-old photographer Vidyun R Hebbar from Bengaluru, India. He took a photo of a tent spider in its web and titled it “Dome Home”.
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“It’s such an imaginative way of photographing a spider. The picture is perfectly framed, the focus is spot on. But the really clever bit is the addition of a creative backdrop – the bright colours of a motorised rickshaw,” says Chair of the Jury, Roz Kidman Cox.
Look at the mesmerising picture shot by the young photographer:
The 57th edition of the contest received around 50,000 entries from 95 countries, according to the reports. Other 19 photographers won the contest for as many categories this year. This year, three new categories were added, these were “Wetlands,” “Oceans” and “Natural Artistry”.