About the British Ecological Society
Established in 1913, the British Ecological society (BES) is the oldest ecological society in the world. The founding aim of the society was to "to promote and foster the study of Ecology in its widest sense", and this remains its central tenant to this day.
About the competition
Every year the society holds its 'Capturing Ecology: Photographic Competition', with the aim of celebrating and promoting the work of its membership and the discipline of ecology.
The prize for the overall winner is £750 and two film cameras, whilst the overall runner up wins £250 and the student winner £100.
A well as these prizes, there are winners and student winners for each of the six categories (Up Close and Personal, Dynamic Ecosystems, Individuals and Populations, People and Nature, Ecology in Action, and The Art of Ecology).
The winning images will be displayed at the society's annual conference next month in Belfast.
Overall Winner: Roberto García Roa, Red night
The overall winner was this stunning portrait of a Malagasy tree boa, taken by by Roberto García Roa, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Valencia, Spain.
About his photograph Roberto said, “Unfortunately, many areas of Madagascar are suffering huge anthropic pressures including poaching and fires, and big snakes are becoming increasingly difficult to see. During my visit to Madagascar, I had the pleasure of finding this outstanding snake and photographing it. To offer a dramatic scenario reflecting the conditions that these snakes are suffering, I used an external red light as a source of light and severe blurring to capture the environment.”
Professor Richard Bardgett, President of the BES, commented: “This stunning image not only captures the beauty of the Malagasy tree boa, which is endemic to the island of Madagascar, but also its vulnerability, especially to hunting and fire. A remarkable image and deserving winner.”
Overall runner up: Mikhail Kapychka, Autumn texture
Overall student winner: Nilanjan Chatterjee, Flames in flumes
Categories:
Up Close and Personal
An image displaying the intricacy of nature using close-up or macro photography.
Winner: Roberto García Roa, Fluorescence
Student winner: Khristian V. Valencia, Harlequin
Dynamic Ecosystems
Demonstrating interactions between different species within an ecosystem.
Winner: Roberto García Roa, Small Warrior
Student winner: Pablo Javier Merlo, Are you seeing the same as me?
Individuals and Populations
A unique look at a species in its environment, either alone or as part of a population.
Winner: Felix Fornoff, Sleeping still
Student winner: Khristian V. Valencia, Watchful
People and Nature
An interesting and original take on the relationships between people and nature
Winner: Andrew Whitworth, Why did the sloth cross the road?
Student winner: Gergana Daskalova, Thawing away
Ecology in Action
Showcasing the practice of ecology in action
Winner: Molly Penny, The Rhino’s Annual Haircut
Student winner: Gergana Daskalova, Capturing tundra vegetation change
The Art of Ecology
A creative and original take on photography denoting ecology
Winner: Peter Hudson, For the love of Flamingos
Student winner: Sanne Govaert, Teeny tiny world
