Capturing the Essence of Nature: The Nature Conservancy's Astonishing Photo Contest Winners

The judges of The Nature Conservancy's 2023 Global Photo Contest were captivated by a variety of captivating images, including a dried-up pond with fish-dug holes, a settlement in a yellow rapeseed field, and a wolf spider protecting her young.

The prestigious grand prize for this year's contest was awarded to Tibor Litauszki, a talented photographer from Hungary. Litauszki's winning image depicts an alpine newt feeding on freshly laid frog eggs underwater. The photograph was beautifully illuminated with an LED lamp and captured using a waterproof camera case with a homemade wired remote release. According to Tibor, this photograph beautifully showcases the delicate cycle of nature and its sensitivity.

This year's competition, according to The Nature Conservancy, a global environmental nonprofit, received a record-breaking number of submissions. There were 189,000 entries from over 80,000 photographers. However, Litauszki emerged as the winner due to their ability to capture a unique and often overlooked event in nature.

Contest director and judging coordinator Alex Snyder described the winning image as follows: "A simple stream filled with life transformed into another world, resembling a galaxy of vibrant greens and blues shining through a dark canvas." Snyder emphasized that the image stood out for its technical difficulty, as well as its overall composition and aesthetic appeal.

Other winning photographs depict the beauty of wildlife, such as a sunrise silhouette of a graceful hoopoe bird and the glowing skin of a corn snake under ultraviolet light.

Captured by Irina Petrova Adamatzky, this photograph shows the glowing skin of a corn snake under ultraviolet light.

Irina Petrova Adamatzky/TNC Photo Contest 2023

Photographer Raphael Alves captured a powerful image in the Climate category, showcasing the dangers of the natural world. The photograph depicts rising rivers in Anama, Brazil, during May 2021. Alves explained the significance of the location, stating that Anama is a small city that endures annual flooding. However, at the time the photo was taken, the Amazon Basin was experiencing its most severe and prolonged flood ever recorded. Alves emphasized that while the locals have adjusted their lives to the cyclical nature of the waters, extreme events such as massive floods or droughts push them to their utmost limits.

The competition this year expanded to 12 categories, marking a significant increase from the previous six categories. The Nature Conservancy aims to raise awareness, foster an emotional bond with the environment, and contribute to worldwide conservation initiatives through these captivating images.

Snyder highlighted the impact of early Yellowstone photographs in persuading the US Congress to establish it as the inaugural National Park. Furthermore, photography has served as a crucial tool for scientists and researchers to document and observe all aspects of our natural world. Ultimately, photography reveals what truly holds significance.