The Wildlife Photographer Of The Year People's Choice Award 2022: 25 Photos To Pick From

Bored Panda got in touch with Gemma Ward, Natural History Museum, Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition Manager to learn more about the awards. She shared that from over 38 thousand submissions, the judges could only select 100 images. The Natural History Museum and the Chair of the Jury choose a further 25 equally special images from those that made it to the final round and invite the public to vote for their winner!

We asked Gemma how these photographs differ from last year's submissions. She replied that each year, they’re amazed by the incredible range of images that they receive from around the world. "We are seeing more and more images entered into the competition that highlight the urgent need to take action to protect the natural world, images taken closer to home and inspiring pictures from young and emerging photographers finding their visual voice."

When selecting Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2022, the international panel was looking for originality – "fresh and surprising images that stop them in their tracks, with a narrative, good technical ability, and ethical practice at their heart. There are 16 categories in our adult competition and each has its own focus, from powerful storytelling in wildlife photojournalism to capturing interesting animal behavior and striking portraits."

Dr. Natalie Cooper, Senior Researcher at Natural History Museum, and jury member shared that they wanted to see images that showcase the "incredible diversity and beauty of life on Earth. I'm hoping these images can inspire us to learn more about the world around us and encourage us to fight to preserve it."

Gemma shared that each year they invite a new panel of international photographers and photo editors to join the jury. "In a rigorous process, each image is judged anonymously and after much discussion and debate 100 images are awarded. Images that make it through to the final round are checked for manipulation by the examination of the RAW/original files by an independent technical consultant."

The winner of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2022 Awards is an American photographer, Karine Aigner, for her close-up shot "The Big Buzz". Here's what Roz Kidman Cox, editor and chair of the judging panel told about her shot: "Wings whirring, incoming desperate males head for the ball of buzzing bees rolling straight into the picture. The sense of movement and intensity is shown at bee-level magnification and transforms what are little cactus bees into big competitors – all intent on being the one that the female in the center of the scrum will mate with, all competing in the heat of a Texas spring." Dr. Natalie Cooper, Senior Researcher at Natural History Museum, and jury member: "A beautiful, dynamic image at a scale we often overlook. The violence and aggression displayed by these male bees are more intense than that seen in big cats on the African savannah, and all taking place right under our noses."

Talking about the value that the Wildlife Photographer of the Year brings, Gemma told us that for nearly 60 years, Wildlife Photographer of the Year has celebrated the best wildlife photography from around the world. "The awarded photographs not only offer unforgettable glimpses into the lives of wild species but also front-line reporting on the climate and biodiversity crises. Wildlife Photographer of the Year provides a global platform to showcase the photographer's work.

Wildlife photography has a unique emotive power to remind us of the beauty of the natural world and our shared responsibility to protect it. These pictures transcend language and can also inspire hope, highlighting positive conservation stories and the difference we can make."