A Selection Of The Top 10 Images From The 2024 Nature "inFocus" Photography Competition

After a record-breaking 14,180 entries from 42 countries, the 2024 Nature inFocus Photography competition winners were revealed on February 12th. Established in Bangalore in 2014 by Rohit and Kalyan Varma, Nature InFocus has developed into a platform that unites wildlife photographers, filmmakers, conservationists, and nature lovers with the goal of sharing stories that celebrate nature and increase awareness about its preservation. 

#1

 

Special Mention In Animal Behavior: "The Final Act" By Anirudh Laxmipathy.

Location: Kolsa, Tadoba

"Kuwani, the legendary tigress of Kolsa, still reigns at 14. A wild boar strays too close, unaware of the danger nearby. In a flash, she launches forward, muscles tensed, claws unsheathed. The jungle falls silent as she makes her move."

#2 

Special Mention In Animal Behavior: "Time To Run" By Merche Llobera

Location: Baja California Sur, Mexico

"Mobulas scatter in all directions as a k****r whale cuts through their ranks, looking for its next meal. In the chaos, the photographer becomes part of the frenzy, feeling the brush of fins as the rays rush past."

#3

 

Winner In Young Photographer: "Through The Looking Leaf" By Salahuddin Ahmed

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."

#4 

Special Mention In Young Photographer: "Escaping The Smoke" By Seyan Hirani

Location: Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

"Midday in the savanna, a leopardess named Kazuri rested in the shade before climbing a hill to scan for prey. As she moved toward a tree, a perfectly positioned frame captured her against a smoky backdrop, creating a striking and dramatic scene."

#5 

Runner-Up In Animal Portraits: "On Thin Ice" By Philippe Ricordel

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."

#6

 

Runner-Up Of Ramki Sreenivasan Conservation Photography Award: "An Unlikely Refuge" By Chaitanya Rawat

Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan

"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."

#7 

Special Mention In Animal Portraits: "Symmetry" By Lukasz Gwizdziel

Location: Northern Poland

"For years, a quiet pool has been the setting for countless bird encounters. One autumn, a photographer dedicated weeks to observing cranes, approaching only under the cover of night to avoid disturbance. On a morning when the forecast promised perfection, the rising sun remained hidden, its light diffused by mist. The cranes, enveloped in this ethereal glow, stood in perfect harmony against the backdrop."

#8 

Runner-Up In Animal Portraits: "Crowned By Nature" By Prashanthan Yogendranathan

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."

#9 

Winner In Animal Behavior: "Sharks In School" By Angela Albi And August Paula

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."

As wildlife conservation becomes an increasingly urgent issue, photography has proven to be a powerful tool in raising awareness. We asked about the impact the Nature inFocus Photography Awards hopes to make in inspiring action for wildlife conservation.

"For conservation to be effective, it needs a strong emotional connection; people must feel before they act. Photography has the power to bridge that gap. The images showcased in the competition are not just visually striking; they tell urgent stories about our natural world, its beauty, and its fragility. When people see powerful imagery, whether it’s of breathtaking landscapes, rare species, or the devastating consequences of environmental destruction, it compels them to care, engage, and, hopefully, take action."

#10 

Special Mention In Wildscape & Animals In Their Habitat: "Misty Morning" By Hira Punjabi

Location: Hokkaido, Japan

"At sunrise in Hokkaido, red-crowned cranes move through a veil of mist, their graceful forms almost like brushstrokes on a canvas."