“Through the Looking Leaf” by Salahuddin Ahmed. Winner, Young Photographer
Location: Sundarganj, Bangladesh
“A damselfly peers through a hole in a vibrant green leaf, offering a glimpse into its delicate world. The contrast between the insect’s form and the leaf’s texture highlights the small yet intricate wonders hidden in the undergrowth.”
After receiving a record-breaking 14,180 entries across 42 countries, the 2024 Nature inFocus photography competition has announced its winners. Wildlife photographer Supun Dilshan was named Photographer of the Year for his strong portfolio of images capturing the plight of elephants in Sri Lanka.
The portfolio, aptly titled Trapped Between Worlds, shows the struggles that these elephants face as human and animal worlds collide. Whether attempting to walk over barbed wire or being killed by high-speed trains, Sri Lankan elephants face many new problems trying to survive. For his efforts in documenting these issues, Dilshan also won the Ramki Sreenivasan Conservation Photography Award.
“It’s heartbreaking to see development at loggerheads with the places these wild animals call home,” shares Anish Andheria, president of Wildlife Conservation Trust and member of the six-person jury who selected the winners. “Their habitat is already shrinking at an alarming rate due to multiple anthropogenic factors. But with the rise of linear infrastructure, especially in regions like India and Sri Lanka, we’re only going to see more of these come up. This is one of the greatest threats to wildlife today.”
Other outstanding winners include Salahuddin Ahmed, who was named Young Photographer of the Year for a striking photo of a curious damselfly looking through the hole of a bright green leaf. Angela Albi and August Paula’s aerial image of a group of sharks moving in on a large school of fish in the Maldives won the Animal Behavior category, while an incredible photo of a female leopard scaling a tree in India won Pruthvi B the top prize in the Animal Portraits category.
Scroll down to see more winners from the 2024 Nature inFocus photography contest, which celebrates the documentation of unique moments in nature and critical conservation issues.
After receiving a record-breaking 14,180 entries across 42 countries, the 2024 Nature inFocus photography competition has announced its winners.
“Sharks in School” by Angela Albi & August Paula. Winner, Animal Behavior
Location: Athuruga, Maldives
“A school of hardyhead silversides moves in perfect sync, twisting and turning to escape a squad of blacktip reef sharks. The fish react in waves, each shift an attempt to stay just out of reach. But the sharks are relentless, weaving through the silvery mass, waiting for a mistake to strike.”
“Tree Huggers” by Pruthvi B. Winner, Animal Portraits
Location: Mysore, India
“A mother leopard scales a tree with effortless grace, her cub watching from below before following her lead. Captured on a camera trap set near Mysore, this moment reveals not just the intricate bond between a mother and her cub but also the instinctual behavior of the cat.”
“He Looks to the Heavens” by Jacquie Matechuk. Winner, Wildscape & Animals in Their Habitat
Location: Andean Mountains, Ecuador
“High in the Andean mountains of Ecuador, Tony, a large male Spectacled Bear, sought refuge from the midday heat in the embrace of a century-old fig tree. Draped in Spanish moss, the tree swayed gently with the rhythm of the canyon’s breath. As a light rain began to fall, he stood and turned his face skyward, as if welcoming the cool relief.”
Wildlife photographer Supun Dilshan was named Photographer of the Year for his strong portfolio of images capturing the plight of elephants in Sri Lanka.
“Trapped Between Worlds” by Supun Dilshan. Winner, Photographer of the Year – Portfolio
“As Sri Lanka’s wild elephants lose their habitats, can they survive in a human-dominated landscape?”
“Lost to the Tracks” by Supun Dilshan. Winner, Ramki Sreenivasan Conservation Photography Award
Location: Welikanda, Sri Lanka
“Another elephant falls victim to a train accident in Sri Lanka, a tragic reminder of the ongoing conflict between wildlife and infrastructure. This spot has seen many such losses, highlighting the urgent need for stronger protective measures. Without action, these gentle giants will continue to pay the price for human negligence.”
“Trapped Between Worlds” by Supun Dilshan. Winner, Photographer of the Year – Portfolio
“Trapped Between Worlds” by Supun Dilshan. Winner, Photographer of the Year – Portfolio
“Trapped Between Worlds” by Supun Dilshan. Winner, Photographer of the Year – Portfolio
The contest celebrates the documentation of unique moments in nature and critical conservation issues.
“Is That a Big Fish?” by Rohan Shah. Runner-up, Young Photographer
Location: Lake Magadi, Kenya
“From a helicopter over Lake Magadi, a mesmerizing sight unfolded—a group of lesser flamingos taking flight in the shape of a fish, framed by the lake’s striking patterns. These colors and formations result from chemical changes in the algae, creating a breathtaking natural canvas.”
“Balancing Act” by Kai Kolodziej. Winner, Creative Nature Photography
Location: Austria
“A few snails rest delicately on blades of grass, their fragile forms highlighted against the soft glow of a backlit setup.”
“The Tiny Titan” by Padmanava Santra. Runner-up, Animal Behavior
Location: Barasat, West Bengal
“With the strength of a warrior, a weaver ant hauls a dragonfly wing, a prize nearly twice its size. Step by step, it follows an invisible trail home. A slow shutter speed captures its determined march, highlighting the precision and teamwork that make ants some of nature’s most efficient and tireless workers.”
“Can I get a ride?” by Ramprasad Dutta. Runner-up, Wildscape & Animals in Their Habitat
Location: Bankura, West Bengal
“A common house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) clings to a car window, its wide, unblinking eyes peering through the glass. Found across Asia and Oceania, these adaptable reptiles thrive in human spaces, often appearing in the most unexpected places—like this one, hitching a ride.”
“Who’s there?” by Danuja Palihawadana Arachchi. Runner-up, Young Photographer
Location: Minneriya National Park, Sri Lanka
“In Minneriya National Park, the photographer scoured the landscape for the mighty elephant—surely, one of the largest land mammals couldn’t be that hard to find. But after hours of searching, the first glimpse wasn’t of a towering silhouette, but a lone trunk emerging from the wilderness.”
“An Unlikely Refuge” by Chaitanya Rawat. Runner-up, Ramki Sreenivasan Conservation Photography Award
“A leopard peers from behind a window frame in an abandoned Jaipur building. While a testament to its adaptability, this scene also underscores the loss of natural habitats. As forests shrink, leopards venture into human settlements, increasing the risk of conflict between humans and wildlife.”
“Crowned by Nature” by Prashanthan Yogendranathan. Runner-up, Animal Portraits
Location: Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka
“In the still waters of Wilpattu National Park, a water buffalo rises from its swim, crowned with a garland of floating weeds. This fleeting adornment adds an unexpected touch of elegance to the buffalo’s rugged presence.”
“On Thin Ice” by Philippe Ricordel. Runner-up, Animal Portraits
Location: Hokkaido, Japan
“In the icy waters of Japan’s Nemuro Strait, a Steller’s sea eagle teeters on a drifting ice floe, wings spread wide to steady itself. A sudden wave nearly topples the bird, highlighting the risks of winter life at sea. If submerged, the weight of wet feathers could make escape nearly impossible, turning a simple misstep into real danger.”
“Midnight Predators” by Tibor Litauszki. Runner-up, Animal Behavior
Location: Germany
“As darkness settles over the water, alpine newts begin their silent hunt. They drift between clusters of frog eggs, each one angling for a meal before the night ends. Competing with one another, they move deliberately, their sleek forms illuminated by a faint glow, revealing the quiet but ruthless nature of their feast.”
“Spinning Seeds” by Tibor Litauszki. Runner-up, Creative Nature Photography
Location: Germany
“The winged fruit of Acer negundo came to life through the lens, its motion captured using a long exposure, continuous lighting, and a second-curtain flash. This technique preserved the delicate spin while the backlight created striking reflections.”