The highly anticipated Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition opens in Guernsey today.
Widely recognised as one of, if not, the most prestigious photography event of its kind, it provides a global platform showcasing some of the best photography talent from around the world.
For nearly 60 years, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition has shone a light on stories and species from around the world and encouraged a future which works for the planet, and it’s inhabitants.
Guernsey has been involved for half of that time, having first hosted the exhibition in 1995.
Helen Glencross, Head of Heritage Services said: “We are extremely privileged to be hosting this wonderful exhibition, produced by the Natural History Museum, again this year.
“This exhibition is always hugely popular, not only because of the spectacular imagery, but also for its recognition of the wonders of the natural world and the challenges we face in protecting them. We look forward to welcoming visitors to the exhibition, when we open our doors again on the 31st January.”
Launched in 1965, the competition now receives entries from 117 countries and territories all over the world.
This year’s award-winning images will stop in Guernsey as part of an international tour, allowing them to be seen by well over a million people.
This year’s images were selected from 59,228 entries, from all 117 of those countries. Entries were judged anonymously on their creativity, originality, and technical excellence by an international panel of industry experts.
The winning images, including the prestigious Grand Title Award winners, were announced on 8 October 2024, during an awards show hosted by wildlife presenters Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin.
Kathy Moran was the Chair of the judging panel.
“In this selection you see species diversity, a range of behaviour and conservation issues. These images represent the evolution of the competition through the years, from pure natural history to photography that fully embraces representation of the natural world – the beauty and the challenges. It is a powerful selection with which to kickstart a milestone anniversary.”
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London, whose Director is Dr Doug Gurr.
“As we celebrate sixty years of Wildlife Photographer of the Year, we also celebrate the generations of visitors who have been inspired by the beauty and majesty of its images, and the millions of connections made with nature.”
The exhibition will be open at Guernsey Museums, Candie, from 31 January through to 23 March, open daily from 10:00 – 16:00.
You can find out more online, on the Guernsey Museums website HERE.