National Museum Cardiff once again hosts Wildlife Photographer of the Year, from 18 June to 11 September 2011, in the newly opened Natural History galleries.
The exhibition includes the results of Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the most prestigious competition of its kind, owned by the Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife Magazine.
Visitors will immerse themselves in over a hundred images, including the results of an exciting new award – Wildlife Photojournalist of the Year – which celebrates six pictures that tell a memorable story. Other stunning and often thought-provoking images , provide an insight into the beauty, drama and variety of nature
The much coveted title of Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year was awarded to Hungarian photographer Bence Máté from Pusztaszer for his image A marvel of ants, a simple shot that captures the complexity of the behaviour of leaf-cutter ants in the Costa Rican rainforest.
Fergus Gill from Scotland was crowned Veolia Environnement Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year for the second year in a row.
His image of a fieldfare, The frozen moment, was judged to be the most memorable of all the pictures by photographers aged 17 or under.
Selected from tens of thousands of entries from across the globe, the images were judged to be the best of all those entered in the 2010 competition by a judging panel that included some of the world’s most respected nature photographers and wildlife experts.
Mark Carwardine, Chair of the judging panel, 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.’
Dr Deborah Spillards from National Museum Cardiff, “We are delighted to see the return of the Veolia Environment Wildlife Photographer of the Year to National Museum Cardiff this year. The Natural History galleries have been refreshed and are reopen to visitors once again. The highlight here is a whole new section called ‘Life in the Sea’ featuring over 80 new specimens on display. So it’s all the more reason for visitors to come and visit us.
“Two of National Museum Cardiff’s most popular residents, the Humpback Whale and the largest Leatherback Turtle ever recorded are also back on view after a period of spring cleaning.”
Entry to the Museum is free, thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.
