47 Images That Captured Nature’s Beauty And Diversity And Were Selected As Best By NBP Awards 2023

Bored Panda reached out to the organizers of Nature’s Best Photography Awards, who shared when the competition started and what changes have happened since it began in 1995.

“Nature photographers travel the globe to document its beauty and diversity. They witness breathtaking landscapes, fascinating wildlife behavior, and surprising glimpses of Earth’s soaring peaks and mysterious ocean depths. The powerful images and stories these photographers bring home awaken our desire to explore, enjoy, and conserve the natural world.

In admiration and support of these visually driven storytellers and the important impact they have made since cameras were first invented, the Nature’s Best Photography (NBP) concept was born in 1995. NBP’s ambitious goals are to recognize, celebrate, and support this ever-growing body of work and the dedicated photographers of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of camera expertise behind it. All NBP initiatives strive to engage and involve global audiences, enhance artistic expression, promote outdoor education and personal well-being, and inspire greater public participation in the conservation and preservation of the natural world.

Over the years, camera technology has changed dramatically, from film to digital capture. Social media has given global platforms to photographers, enabling them to instantly share images and stories. These changes in technology and dissemination have transformed our awards program. High-definition computer monitors have allowed us to better process, review, and manage the increased volume of image submissions. Photographers now have better tools and greater access to destinations; their skills have improved through workshops, careful observations of pros, and research online.

With the growth of our awards program, our mission has evolved to become one of the most prestigious photography competitions of its kind. In 1998, we partnered with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, to exhibit our best photography each year—an alliance that lasted 15 years. Today, we reach an international group of nature photographers with a passion for wildlife and wild places who want to spread appreciation and inspiration for conservation practices, and exhibit the winning images in prestigious venues across the globe.”

Since judges were flooded with over 15,000 submissions from all over the world, we were curious what they looked for when picking the winning photos.

Organizers replied: “Nature’s Best Photography Awards are juried by seasoned professionals in photography, journalism, art, science, and conservation. Entries are narrowed down based on overall appeal, good composition, artistic merit, originality, and diversity of photo subjects. With each entry, judges ask themselves: How do these images engage our interest? Is the entry technically sharp and well-exposed? What story is being told visually?

After passing through the semifinal round of judging, the raw, untouched files are requested and inspected to make sure the highest-res photos have not been technically altered, but reflect the scene as it appeared in the field. We ask photographers to confirm that their subject was not baited, lured, staged, or taken in a controlled situation, and was taken following our code of ethical photography.

One longtime judge and NBP supporter, Charles Veatch, explained, “Subject, composition, use of light, and clarity of focus are the areas I draw upon when casting my vote to move an image entry from one round of judging to the next.”

Nature is our home and sparking conversations about preserving it is of utmost importance both for the NBP Awards and the photographers.

From co-founder, Steve Freligh, "What we have treasured over the years is the immediate and long-lasting effect a single image or film instills in the hearts and minds of children, adults, and families alike, inspiring discussions, imaginative perspectives, and most importantly, a greater understanding and appreciation of nature overall. People will only be moved to save what they love, and NBP strives to support important causes and to encourage awareness of the outdoors."

As the Grand Prize-winning photographer, Luis Vilariño says, “Nature photography should inspire changes in society that involve and mobilize people to create a better and more sustainable world.”

NBP awards also have a separate category for young people who can share their best work. We asked the organizers to share why it is important to recognize young photographers.

“Young photographers age 18 and younger may enter their photos in the NBP Awards so we may recognize and encourage their passion for nature through the art of photography. Many of our past winners have emerged to become professional photographers, teachers, naturalists, and conservationists. We look forward to their future contributions to protect our natural heritage.

We have enlisted a group of Nature's Best Ambassadors from our past and present youth winners. This team of award-winning nature photographers and conservationists will help create innovative mentorship for emerging photographers worldwide. Their unique social media skill sets, energy, and storytelling capabilities will amplify our natural history messaging and youth-directed activities to chart the course for a vibrant and sustainable future.

One of the Ambassadors, Meline Ellwanger, is the current Youth Photographer of the Year. She is from Germany and a student at Montana State University studying Wildlife Ecology. Meline's profound love for the outdoors and wild animals led her to focus on nature photography. Over the past few years, she has traveled extensively, seeking out unique global locations and animals to capture through her lens. Her mission is to evoke profound emotions and a deeper connection to nature with her images.

As an aspiring Ambassador for young girls in the photography industry, Meline aims to support them in achieving their dreams and strives to raise awareness about the significance of safeguarding our natural wonders and the importance of preserving them for future generations. She has grown a large following on Instagram and on TikTok.”

The organizers shared some quotes from their past youth winners. Joe Sulik explains, “Discovering photography was the most empowering event in my life; suddenly, I had the means of sharing my intimate connection to the natural world with others, and a tool to give the multitudes of species on this planet a voice.”

“Photography is our best chance to arouse public awareness to protect the world's biodiversity." —Zander Galli, past Youth Photographer of the Year, and NBP Ambassador.

In addition, we also wanted to know how Nature’s Best Photography brings together nature lovers and photographers worldwide, besides the awards. They wrote: “Through the decades, NBP has built a historic body of work that reveals some of nature’s finest moments. Each photograph chosen as an award winner represents a single moment in the ever-changing web of life—a brief and irreplaceable record that brings both immediate and long-lasting impact and connects the image maker and image viewer.

Photographs are a celebration of creative talent and discovery; they cross the boundaries of language, age, and culture. These images reveal moments that stop us in our tracks and encourage us to view them again and again. As you turn through the pages of our publications and online galleries, you are encouraged to celebrate the beauty, drama, and significance of each photograph, reminding us that nature is precious—we must all become better stewards for the future health of the planet.”

“Our vision for the exhibitions at Children’s National is to deliver uplifting visual storytelling to those who may benefit from it the most. These scenes and their stories will instantly transport viewers from the stress of the hospital environment and into the wonders of nature, inviting imagination and curiosity to become a highlight of their day.”—Steve Freligh, NBP Awards Co-founder and Director.

Photographs and videos from our nearly 30 years of past awards are displayed in Children’s Hospitals and Clinics and also in prestigious museums and galleries across Africa, the UK, Asia, and the US, bringing together the public with the work of today’s best wildlife photographers.“The Nature’s Best Photography displays are such a beautiful way to help our patients and families reconnect with nature,” remarks Martha Parra, CNH Vice President of Clinical Support Services, Children's National Hospital in DC. “These images convey such an important sense of balance, peace, and joy.”Currently, there is a Benjamin Mkapa African Wildlife Photography Awards exhibition open now through April 2024, in Jackson, Wyoming at the National Museum for Wildlife Art. NBP worked in collaboration with the African Wildlife Foundation in support of their many successful cutting-edge conservation programs on the continent of Africa. Learn more about the Mkapa Awards.”

Lastly, the organizers added: “The Nature’s Best Photography Fund is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization supported through individual donations, alliances, foundation grants, corporate partnerships, and program sponsorships. Please support our efforts at this link: NBP Fund.

Please share your own favorite outdoor photographs and stories. Whether they are from your backyard or from exotic destinations, your art can make a meaningful difference in the way others view the natural world. New competitions will be opening soon for 2024. Learn more at Nature's Best Photography.

See the complete collection of current NBP International Awards.

Get the Winter 2023 special edition featuring all the finalists and the stories behind the shots.