Through the Looking Leaf by Salahuddin Ahmed.
After receiving a record-breaking 14,180 entries across 42 countries, the2024 Nature inFocusphotography competition has announced its winners.
For his efforts in documenting these issues, Dilshan also won the Ramki Sreenivasan Conservation Photography Award.
“Through the Looking Leaf” by Salahuddin Ahmed. Winner, Young PhotographerLocation: 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.”
Their habitat is already shrinking at an alarming rate due to multiple anthropogenic factors.
This is one of the greatest threats to wildlife today.
Sharks in School by Angela Albi & August Paula.
“Sharks in School” by Angela Albi & August Paula. Winner, Animal BehaviorLocation: 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.”
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.
“Tree Huggers” by Pruthvi B. Winner, Animal PortraitsLocation: 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.
Draped in Spanish moss, the tree swayed gently with the rhythm of the canyons breath.
Trapped Between Worlds by Supun Dilshan.
“He Looks to the Heavens” by Jacquie Matechuk. Winner, Wildscape & Animals in Their HabitatLocation: 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.”
Lost to the Tracks by Supun Dilshan.
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“As Sri Lanka’s wild elephants lose their habitats, can they survive in a human-dominated landscape?”
Trapped Between Worlds by Supun Dilshan.
Is That a Big Fish?
These colors and formations result from chemical changes in the algae, creating a breathtaking natural canvas.
“Lost to the Tracks” by Supun Dilshan. Winner, Ramki Sreenivasan Conservation Photography AwardLocation: 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.”
Balancing Act by Kai Kolodziej.
The Tiny Titan by Padmanava Santra.
Step by step, it follows an invisible trail home.
“Trapped Between Worlds” by Supun Dilshan. Winner, Photographer of the Year – Portfolio
Can I get a ride?
by Danuja Palihawadana Arachchi.
An Unlikely Refuge by Chaitanya Rawat.
“Trapped Between Worlds” by Supun Dilshan. Winner, Photographer of the Year – Portfolio
Runner-up, Ramki Sreenivasan Conservation Photography AwardA 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.
“Trapped Between Worlds” by Supun Dilshan. Winner, Photographer of the Year – Portfolio
Crowned by Nature by Prashanthan Yogendranathan.
This fleeting adornment adds an unexpected touch of elegance to the buffalos rugged presence.
On Thin Ice by Philippe Ricordel.
“Is That a Big Fish?” by Rohan Shah. Runner-up, Young PhotographerLocation: 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.”
A sudden wave nearly topples the bird, highlighting the risks of winter life at sea.
Midnight Predators by Tibor Litauszki.
Runner-up, Animal BehaviorLocation: GermanyAs darkness settles over the water, alpine newts begin their silent hunt.
“Balancing Act” by Kai Kolodziej. Winner, Creative Nature PhotographyLocation: Austria“A few snails rest delicately on blades of grass, their fragile forms highlighted against the soft glow of a backlit setup.”
They drift between clusters of frog eggs, each one angling for a meal before the night ends.
Spinning Seeds by Tibor Litauszki.
This technique preserved the delicate spin while the backlight created striking reflections.
“The Tiny Titan” by Padmanava Santra. Runner-up, Animal BehaviorLocation: 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.”
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“Can I get a ride?” by Ramprasad Dutta. Runner-up, Wildscape & Animals in Their HabitatLocation: 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 PhotographerLocation: 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 PortraitsLocation: 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 PortraitsLocation: 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 BehaviorLocation: 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 PhotographyLocation: 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.”
