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See 11 Amazing Finalist Photos From the Bird Photographer of the Year Competition

See amazing finalist photos from the bird poty competition

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.

bird photographer of the year competition
 © Erlend Haarberg / Bird Photographer of the Year

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. 

bird photographer of the year competition
 © Glenn Nelson / Bird Photographer of the Year

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!

bird photographer of the year competition
 © Weng Keong Liew / Bird Photographer of the Year
bird photographer of the year competition
 © Walter Potrebka / Bird Photographer of the Year
bird photographer of the year competition
 © Leander Khil / Bird Photographer of the Year
bird photographer of the year competition
 © Gabor Baross / Bird Photographer of the Year
bird photographer of the year competition
 © Audrey Wooller / Bird Photographer of the Year
bird photographer of the year competition
 © Marti Phillips / Bird Photographer of the Year
bird photographer of the year competition
 © Liron Gertsman / Bird Photographer of the Year
bird photographer of the year competition
 © Baozhu Wang / Bird Photographer of the Year
bird photographer of the year competition
 © Ben Cranke / Bird Photographer of the Year

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Jaymes Dempsey
Jaymes Dempsey

is the Managing Editor of Digital Photography School, as well as a macro and nature photographer from Ann Arbor, Michigan. To learn how to take stunning nature photos, check out his free eBook, Mastering Nature Photography: 7 Secrets For Incredible Nature Photos! And to see more of Jaymes’s work check out his website and his blog.

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