Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2016

The fifty-second Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition will soon open for entries. Submissions can be made from Monday 4 January to Thursday 25 February 2016.

An international jury of experts including entomologist and wildlife photographer Piotr Naskrecki, German photographer Klaus Nigge, and Roz Kidman Cox who returns for the thirty-second time as a judge, will critique each entry to select 100 winners. Editor and creative director Lewis Blackwell chairs the panel for a second year.

Applicants are invited to submit up to 25 images at £30 per person. Young photographers aged 17 or under can enter up to 10 images for free.

Twenty categories explore the diversity of life and the fascinating behaviour of Earth's species. They celebrate our natural and human-made environments, champion ground-breaking reportage, and herald the brightest young talent.

Over more than half a century, Wildlife Photographer of the Year has established itself as the leading voice in contemporary nature photography. It celebrates biodiversity, and the delicate balance of ecosystems, inspiring greater understanding of the natural world.

The competition harnesses the power of photography to challenge perceptions and encourage change to provide a sustainable Earth for future generations. It champions ethical wildlife photography, seeking the representation of the natural world as faithfully as possible. Images are expected to be free from excessive digital manipulation, with honesty in all captioning, and to be taken with total respect for animals in their environments.

‘I am already excited by the anticipation of revelatory images in the 2016 winners,’ says Lewis Blackwell, chair of the jury. ‘Last year’s entries captured previously unseen aspects of the natural world, giving us remarkable insights and making us look at the familiar with fresh eyes. As chair of the jury, I feel immensely privileged to help lead a competition that really helps celebrate wildlife and spotlight key issues. It is important that we encourage photographers everywhere, of all ages, from top professionals to aspiring amateurs.’