Bird Photographer of the Year 2023
by Cathy Shankland from Inverness Museum & Art Gallery
Opens 3rd February – 27th March 2024
An exhibition of some of the best photographs from the Bird Photographer of the Year 2023 competition go on display at Inverness Museum & art Gallery next weekend. BPOTY is the world’s largest annual bird photography competition, a celebration of avian beauty and diversity and a tribute to the flexibility and quality of today’s modern digital imaging systems. It celebrates the world’s best bird photography, whilst supporting conservation efforts through imagery and financial support.
Photographers from all over the world entered more than 20,000 images into the competition, in 8 different categories in the adult competition: Best Portrait, Birds in the Environment, Bird Behaviour, Birds in Flight, Black and White, Urban Birds, Conservation (Single Image), and Comedy Bird Photo. There was also a Conservation Award, Portfolio Award, and Video Award.
The Overall Winner of the competition takes home a top prize of £3,500 cash and the coveted title of Bird Photographer of the Year. There are a host of other prizes including camera equipment from OM System, and much more.
The Bird Photographer of the Year 2023 grand prize winner was Jack Zhi, from the USA, for his dramatic image ‘Grab the Bull by the Horns,’ taken in Southern California, which shows an image of a peregrine falcon tackling a brown pelican that ventured too close to its nest.
The Young Bird Photographer of the Year 2023 was awarded to 17-year-old German photographer Anton Trexler for his incredibly atmospheric image of a blackbird silhouetted against the moon.
“Each image is not merely a testament to the immense talent of our photographers, but a poignant reminder of the breathtaking beauty of birds,” says Will Nicholls, Director of Bird Photographer of the Year. “The astonishing calibre of these photographs underscores a vital message: let us champion the cause of conservation, so that future generations can marvel at the real-life inspirations behind these extraordinary images.”
Bird Photographer of the Year is a competition that will appeal to a wide range of people. Whether you are a hardened pro, a keen amateur with the latest kit, or simply a hobbyist with a cameraphone or small compact camera, there is an opportunity for you to have your pictures critiqued by leading experts, win prizes, appear in a stunning coffee table book and perhaps be on display in the travelling BPOTY exhibition. And who knows, you could be the next ‘Bird Photographer of the Year’ and win £3,000.
The 2024 competition is now open for entries at birdpoty.com, and invites photographers of all experience levels to submit their best bird photos.
Cathy Shankland is the Visual Arts Curator (Exhibitions) at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, Castle Wynd, Inverness, Highland, IV2 3EB
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A photo exhibition on birds 🐦 sounds good.