A handful of finalist photos from the Bird Photographer of the Year 2022 competition have been unveiled, and they are breathtaking.
While the winning images remain unannounced, this preview of finalists boasts nearly a dozen world-class photos featuring beautiful light, incredible action, and (of course!) gorgeous birds – fighting, flying, hunting, displaying, perching, and caring for young.
Judges, including world-famous bird and wildlife photographers such as Majed Al Za’abi, Denise Ippolito, and Tin Man Lee, had the tough task of selecting winners from over 20,000 images. Will Nicholls, the Bird POTY director, notes: “Birds are an incredibly diverse group of animals, and we’ve seen stunning images of everything from mallard ducks to harpy eagles this year…We celebrate birds and conservation through images, and it is always a pleasure for everyone on the judging panel to see the work of such talented photographers.”
The winning images will be revealed on September 8, with the top photographer receiving £5,000 and the vaunted “Bird Photographer of the Year” title. Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards will also be designated in each image category; prizes include premium Swarovski Optik binoculars and backpacks from F-stop Gear.
Additional prizes will go to a portfolio entry (for “a selection of images that show extensive technical control and creativity”), a video entry (for “a 2-5 minute video…[featuring] strong cinematography and camera skills”), and a conservation entry (for “a collection that tell[s] a conservation story”). And one youth entrant will receive the Young Bird Photographer of the Year award.
Winning photos will be displayed in the competition’s exhibition tour, and top images will be published in the Collection 7 photobook, which you can currently preorder for just £25.
For more information about Bird Photographer of the Year 2022 – including a look at contest categories, prizes, and past winners – head over to the official contest website.
And check out some of the Bird POTY finalists below!
