Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2009 + My Photo Studio

Media release: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2009 + My Photo Studio

See 95 of the world's best wildlife images in the 2009 Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition - on now for a limited time only.

Be captivated by big cats fighting, raptors hovering and silent icy landscapes in the 2009 Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, on show now at the Australian Museum.

The annual competition attracted more than 42,000 entries worldwide this year and 94 of the winning images are showcased in the popular exhibition - on now until Monday 26 April 2010.

Chair of the judging panel, Mark Carwardine said:

‘While there is no magic formula for winning and no hard and fast rules to explain why one photograph wins and another doesn’t, all winning shots have one thing in common – originality. The judges are looking for something that stops them in their tracks.The competition plays an increasingly crucial role in raising the profile of wildlife photography and generating awareness of conservation. Nothing speaks louder than an evocative photograph that stirs the imagination, tugs at the heart strings and engages the mind.’

In an exciting new twist to this year’s exhibition, the cost of entry also includes access to the family-friendly ‘My Photo Studio’ where you can get focused and get a new perspective down the lens of your own camera.

Visitors of all ages are encouraged to bring their camera for the chance to zoom in on some unique museum specimens – including real live invertebrates - and to receive photography tips and tricks from the museum’s own in-house experts.

From the Rhinoceros Beetle and Giant Rainforest Snail to the Desert Wolf Spider and Katydid - the studio will offer handy hints for enabling these tiny invertebrates to take centre stage in the perfect photo!

Other tips and photo opportunities on offer include: using manual controls for better photos; controlling light and shadow; using low shutter speeds; and, shooting through glass.

With these new skills at hand, budding nature photographers are encouraged to enter next year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. Entries open in January 2010 (until March 2010). For details, visit www.nhm.ac.uk/wildphoto.

Note for Editors
Up to five exhibition images are provided free of charge provided the mandatory credit –Wildlife Photographer of the Year is owned by the Natural History Museum, London and BBC Wildlife Magazine – appears in the copy.

Michelle Van Doninck , Publicist
Phone: +612 9320 6181
Last Updated: 10 February 2010