Nature’s Best Photography (NBP) International Awards recently announced winning and highly honored photos that are absolutely captivating. Over 25 thousand images were entered to compete in 11 categories, all celebrating animals and nature.
The Grand Prize winner this year is Mangesh Ratnakar Desai from Pune, Maharashtra, India, with a photo of two Bengal tigers where the mother is play-fighting with her son to teach an important survival lesson. Another important mention is Alberto Román Gómez from Cádiz, Spain, who was recognized as the Youth Photographer of the Year.
In the list below, we showcased all the winners of single-submitted photos and some of the Highly Honored photos that captured our eyes the most. But if you want to see the complete collection of Winners and Top 100 finalists, as well as the Video category, make sure to check out NBP's website.
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#1 Wildlife: Highly Honored - African Lion Cubs By Keith Bannerman
Image credits: Keith Bannerman / NBP Awards
We at Bored Panda were particularly fascinated with, might I say, the cutest photo of this whole list - an emperor penguin chick by Stefan Christmann.
To learn more about Stefan and his photo, we reached out to the photographer. Stefan shared more about himself.
“I am a German photographer and filmmaker who has wintered twice in Antarctica and hence specialized in photographing the emperor penguins of Atka Bay. I have had film assignments for the BBC and Netflix and also lived in Antarctica as a scientist since I have a physics background.”
#2 Wildlife: Highly Honored - Masai Giraffe And Calf By Thomas Nicholson
Image credits: Thomas Nicholson / NBP Awards
#3 Landscapes: Winner - "Fireworks" By Marcio Cabral
"A stunning field of Paepalanthus mirrors the rising sun’s rays, giving the impression of self-luminescence."
Image credits: Marcio Cabral / NBP Awards
We were wondering what initially drew Stefan to the world of photography.
He wrote: “When I was still in high school, I joined a student exchange with a high school in Billings, Montana, USA. We visited Yellowstone NP and I only had a small digital point-and-shoot camera with me. I was not able to capture the raw beauty of this wilderness, so I decided to dive deeper into photography. My father gave me his old Minolta SLR and I learned to photograph and have been photographing ever since. A little more than 20 years now.”
#4 Grand Prize Winner: Bengal Tigers By Mangesh Ratnakar Desai
“Over the years, I have witnessed this young tiger on his path toward independence, starting with lessons from his mother teaching him to defend his territory.”
Image credits: Mangesh Ratnakar Desai / NBP Awards
#5 Polar Passion: Highly Honored - Emperor Penguin Chick By Stefan Christmann
“I photographed this little chick on a calm, serene day after a snowstorm had passed. The thick cloud cover over the bay created an endless white canvas backdrop. The colony stood out like a painting, with this lone chick on the periphery. At a relatively warm -13°F, there was no need to huddle. The chick was struggling to stay awake as snowflakes fell gently. His eyes would close as he drifted into brief stages of sleep. Watching this peaceful scene was delightful, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at the adorable sight.”
Image credits: Stefan Christmann / NBP Awards
Obviously, we just had to know more about the main guy, the emperor penguin chick. We asked Stefan to share how he managed to capture this shot.
Stefan shared: “It was quite easy, actually. It was a warm spring day in Atka Bay and it was snowing (which is rare in Antarctica, funnily). This little fellow was just standing around, likely waiting for his/her parents and I was simply laying flat on my stomach observing. Taking the shot with a tele lens was straightforward. No tripod or any special equipment is needed. Just some patience and slow movements, not to disturb his slumber.”
#6 Birds: Highly Honored - Bald Eagle Fight By Michael Despines
Image credits: Michael Despines / NBP Awards
#7 Landscapes: Highly Honored - Dancing The Sumba By Cyndy B. Waters
Image credits: Cyndy B. Waters / NBP Awards
Though Stefan’s picture was not selected among the winners of this year’s competition, he still was recognized and Highly Honored in the category Polar Passion. Stefan wrote how it felt to be seen and acknowledged by NBP.
“It is always a big honor to be recognized by a big photo competition. But I am not in it for fame. I know that these competitions have a large reach and I myself was inspired by Nature's Best when I was starting out in nature photography. I want to inspire others as well, and best case, help to create more advocates for our planet, our flora and fauna, and especially the emperor penguins,” wrote Stefan.
Stefan added: “The polar regions are beautiful, but fragile at the same time. Just like a soft emperor penguin chick.”
#8 Wildlife: Highly Honored - Bengal Tiger By Krishna Daga
Image credits: Krishna Daga / NBP Awards
#9 Ocean Views: Highly Honored - Green Sea Turtles In Cave By Leighton Lum
Image credits: Leighton Lum / NBP Awards
Lastly, Stefan shared: “Emperor penguins are the coolest birds on the planet, and we can learn so much from them. They are the ultimate team workers, and they achieve the impossible with it: living in an uninhabitable surrounding. If teamwork can help them to achieve this, imagine what humankind could achieve if we all worked together. We could make the world a better place - for humans AND for animals and nature. This thought keeps me hopeful for the future. I hope that our species will one day fully comprehend the strength that lies in collaboration.”
#10 Animal Antics: Winner - Kit Fox Pair By Brian Clopp
"The genuine tenderness between these wild animals made me smile and serves as a poignant reminder that each living creature has a unique value within our universe.”
Image credits: Brian Clopp / NBP Awards
#11 Wildlife: Highly Honored - American Bison And Calf By Lara Ferraro
Image credits: Lara Ferraro / NBP Awards
In order to learn more about this year’s competition, Bored Panda also reached out to the organizers of the NBP Awards and talked to Amanda Gaquin, an NBP Contest Manager.
We were wondering what new photography trends NBP has been seeing in this year’s competition.
Amanda commented: “It was a wonderful year for entrants in the 2024 Awards. More photographers are including the landscape around images of animals. Photographers are now getting out and traveling the world again and submitting stunning images of wildlife and wild places from across the globe.
We are seeing additional coverage from photos taken using drones this year and the entrants are following our rules in leaving a safe distance to wildlife and obtaining permits when needed.”
#12 Polar Passion: Highly Honored - King Penguins Under Full Moon By Levi Fitze
Image credits: Levi Fitze / NBP Awards
#13 Birds: Highly Honored - Northern Hawk Owl By Liron Gertsman
Image credits: Liron Gertsman / NBP Awards
Amanda also shared a surprising moment that happened in this year’s photo competition.
“It was surprising that our Youth Winner is just age 9 and starting out in nature photography and entering (and winning) international competitions. This level of expertise is for youth age 18 and younger.
It was also exciting and surprising to receive an entry from war-torn Ukraine in our Art in Nature category.”
#14 Youth: Highly Honored - Atlantic Puffin By Andrés Domínguez Blanco (Age 14)
Image credits: Andrés Domínguez Blanco / NBP Awards
#15 Animal Antics: Highly Honored - Emperor Penguin By Thomas Vijayan
Image credits: Thomas Vijayan / NBP Awards
We were also wondering how the Nature’s Best Photography community has grown or changed in 2024. Amanda responded: “Always growing with new young (age 18 and under) and amateur as well as professional photographers around the globe. The competition grows in volume every year.”
#16 Polar Passion: Highly Honored - "Treasure On Ice" By Marek Jackowski
Image credits: Marek Jackowski / NBP Awards
#17 Landscapes: Highly Honored - Poplar Reflections On The Po River By Gianluca Gianferrari
Image credits: Gianluca Gianferrari / NBP Awards
Regarding spreading awareness about nature and conservation, Amanda wrote about exciting new projects and partnerships that were designed to help achieve meaningful impact.
“Our distinguished panel of judges for this year's NBP Awards photo competition includes accomplished wildlife photographers, leading conservation photojournalists, highly regarded video specialists, and wildlife photography educators. The panel represents a deep understanding of natural history and progressive conservation strategies, photographic expertise, technical evaluation skills, a shared passion for wildlife and wildlands, and the highest ethics in their respective fields.
In addition to this seasoned judging team, we have added a new group of Nature's Best Ambassadors who are outstanding nature photographers and have all won awards for their talents in nature photography and films. We appreciate their input and perspectives on images and are eager to see more of their work in the future as they help spread awareness about conservation.”
#18 Polar Passion: Winner - Beluga Whale By Brett Freliche
Image credits: Brett Freliche / NBP Awards
#19 Wildlife: Winnner - African Leopard Fight By Kevin Dooley
"In addition to the difficulty of focusing on the action, dust was in the air; but it all added to one of my favorite memories as a nature photographer."
Image credits: Kevin Dooley / NBP Awards
Lastly, Amanda added: “In 2025, we will be celebrating our 30th Anniversary of Nature's Best Photography, launched in 1995, with new photo awards competitions open to the public at all levels of expertise.
In these unsettled times, people may be interested in our “A Mindful Lens” column. Interacting with nature and engaging with photography can be an effective strategy for improving one’s life by simply stepping outside with your camera. This column is illustrated with award-winning images from Nature's Best Photography Awards photo contests along with text and videos on the practice of mindfulness.
Also, our mission is to spread uplifting inspiration, joy, and wellness through the art of nature photography in displays in Hospitals and Clinics."
#20 Outdoor Adventure: Highly Honored - Free Diver And Sperm Whales By Franco Banfi
Image credits: Franco Banfi / NBP Awards
#21 Ocean Views: Highly Honored - Giant Pacific Octopus By Mayumi Takeuchi-Ebbins
Image credits: Mayumi Takeuchi-Ebbins / NBP Awards
#22 Animal Antics: Highly Honored - Mountain Hares By Andy Parkinson
Image credits: Andy Parkinson / NBP Awards
#23 Landscapes: Highly Honored - Hummocks By Alessandra Meniconzi
Image credits: Alessandra Meniconzi / NBP Awards
#24 Polar Passion: Highly Honored - Emperor Penguins By Liwen Tao
Image credits: Liwen Tao / NBP Awards
#25 Art In Nature: Highly Honored - Spotted Eagle Ray By Joaquin Fregoni
Image credits: Joaquin Fregoni / NBP Awards
#26 Conservation Story, Single Image: Highly Honored - Chimpanzee Rescue By Marcus Westberg
Image credits: Marcus Westberg / NBP Awards
#27 Ocean Views: Highly Honored - Humpback Whales Bubble Netting By Scott Portelli
Image credits: Scott Portelli / NBP Awards
#28 Animal Antics: Highly Honored - Barred Owlets By Glenn Nelson
Image credits: Glenn Nelson / NBP Awards
#29 Birds: Highly Honored - Parakeet Biting Monitor Lizard By Hira Punjabi
Image credits: Hira Punjabi / NBP Awards
#30 Ocean Views: Highly Honored - Blenny In Brain Coral By Pietro Formis
Image credits: Pietro Formis / NBP Awards
#31 Outdoor Adventure: Winner - Highliner During Annular Solar Eclipse By Belva Hayden
"The moon passing directly between Earth and Sun during an annular eclipse, made this highliner's experience even more extreme."
Image credits: Belva Hayden / NBP Awards
#32 Youth: Highly Honored - Canvasback By James Fatemi (Age 17)
Image credits: James Fatemi / NBP Awards
#33 Art In Nature: Highly Honored - Sandstone Cliff By Adrian Klein
Image credits: Adrian Klein / NBP Awards
#34 Outdoor Adventure: Highly Honored - Diver With Giant Oceanic Manta Ray By Christian Horras
Image credits: Christian Horras / NBP Awards
#35 Ocean Views: Highly Honored - Juvenile Driftfish In Moon Jellyfish By Michael Patrick O’Neill
Image credits: Michael Patrick O’Neill / NBP Awards
#36 Birds: Winner - Egret And Ladyfish By Xiaoping Lin
"I caught the fleeting moment as two fish leaped out of the water and passed by an egret."
Image credits: Xiaoping Lin / NBP Awards
#37 Polar Passion: Highly Honored - Gentoo Penguins By Clive Burns
Image credits: Clive Burns / NBP Awards
#38 Art In Nature: Winner - Eye Of Frozen Lake By Lei Li
Image credits: Lei Li / NBP Awards
#39 Outdoor Adventure: Highly Honored - Free Diver And Silky Sharks By Wayne Lai
Image credits: Wayne Lai / NBP Awards
#40 Ocean Views: Winner - Spinner Dolphins Superpod By Cécile Gabillon
"Being surrounded by this superpod while free diving was one of the most amazing encounters of my life."
Image credits: Cécile Gabillon / NBP Awards
#41 Youth Photographer Of The Year - European Stonechat By Alberto Román Gómez (Age 9)
"When a stonechat was perched near a bolt on a metal gate, it appeared as if it were the guardian of the territory."
Image credits: Alberto Román Gómez / NBP Awards
#42 Conservation Story, Single Image: Winner - Northern Gannets By Khurram Khan
"To me, this picture signifies the future of our planet, literally ‘hanging by a thread’ without our conservation action."
Image credits: Khurram Khan / NBP Awards
#43 Outdoor Adventure: Highly Honored - Hiking In Norway By Aleksander Myklebust
Image credits: Aleksander Myklebust / NBP Awards
#44 Outdoor Adventure: Highly Honored - Crossing Ice Lake By Alessandra Meniconzi
Image credits: Alessandra Meniconzi / NBP Awards
