All Creatures Great and Small

All Creatures Great and Small Wildlife Photographer of the Year Brings the World to You

By Melanie Grisak, Web Specialist

Long before I started working at the museum, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition brought me back to the Royal BC Museum again and again. I’m a photographer, so the annual exhibition has always been an exceptional draw for me— but you don’t need to be a photographer to appreciate great photography! Each image in the exhibition has been selected through a rigorous judging process by experts at London’s prestigious Natural History Museum. The result is a display of spectacular and captivating images.

The exhibition has categories for every subject under the sun, from large mammals to birds, sea life, reptiles, bugs and even microscopic bacteria—all aspects of wildlife are on display. For a photographer, it’s the perfect reminder that there is no single right way to take a photograph. For a nature enthusiast, it’s a stunning view of the world we live in.

I especially appreciate the inclusion of the geographical location, and the camera model and settings, alongside the written story from the photographer. Occasionally you’ll see something surprising—a stunning photograph that was taken in a backyard, or on an inexpensive point-andshoot camera. I find these photographs the most inspiring. They mean that a love of photography and the ability to take a photograph that captures the moment are not exclusive to those with the means to buy expensive equipment and travel to remote places. People of all skill levels (including children and teens) and from all walks of life, all over the globe, have an opportunity to submit their photographs and to be judged equally with professionals. The final exhibition is a breathtaking combination of creative talent, artistic vision, technical skill and unique points of view.

This year one photograph in particular has really caught my eye. Canopy Hang Out by Carlos Perex Naval of Spain was taken with a Nikon D700, a less-expensive “beginner” SLR, and is in the 11- to 14-year- old age category. It has a beautiful composition and mood, showing again that great photography is not exclusively about the gear or professional training.

The exhibition also helps to highlight about global concerns and threats to wildlife, and to present them in an engaging way. Over the years I’ve seen photographs that demonstrate the realities of deforestation, climate change and animal cruelty. Though they’re sometimes difficult to look at, these images allow us to gain a fuller understanding of the world we live in, and they inspire us to seek change.

Bottom line: whatever your experience with photography, this is a spectacular exhibition. There’s something here for everyone!

Museum guests Laura Jenkins and Trevor Hinton enjoy last year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.