This was the first post-pandemic physical showing of this annual worldwide photography competition, which I’ve tried to see in person for as long as I can remember. As usual, it did not disappoint, though the setting in Sewerby Hall was ironic, as we viewed the enclosed zoo animals out of the windows of the main hall whilst studying photographs of animal exploitation on the walls of the exhibition.
I found the usual inspiration in the fleeting animal encounters that had been captured and the minute detail of normally ignored creatures. The quality of camera kit gets better and better, with drones now offering another view of our choking planet and underwater camera housing clearly being very affordable.
The lynx passing the door of a deserted farmhouse would be my dream capture as it spoke about everything we are confronted with in our battle to save nature. An endangered species looks through a porthole at the human enclosed by four walls when so often it is natural that we try to fence in. The decay of man’s world is inevitable and nature looks on quizzically and saunters on by. Spend a moment contemplating this image and our monumental challenge is laid bare.
