The winners and runners-up of the London Camera Exchange Photographer of the Year Awards 2024 have been announced.
Marilyn Taylor was awarded the overall first prize for her stunning image of a long-tongued bat captured in Costa Rica. A host of other incredible wildlife shots clinched accolades in the inaugural awards. Here, we take a look at some of the best winners and runners-up, from a dreamy image of a drifting octopus larvae and a contemplating orangutan to drinking wasps and a hunting owl.
- Barnacle-covered football takes top prize in British Wildlife Photography Awards 2024
- Environmental Photographer of the Year 2023 winner: Insect food experiment takes first prizes
LCE Photographer of the Year 2024 winners and runners-up
Long-Tongued Bat Approaching Banana Leaf
Marilyn Taylor (Overall winner)
"The bat image was taken at a remote location in northern Costa Rica in December 2022. It was dark, so it was very difficult to see these tiny bats flying like ghosts. We could only photograph for a short time as they soon flew off somewhere else. This was probably one of the most interesting ‘shoots’ I’ve ever been on - it was absolutely fascinating. The fact that I got a couple of super images out of it was a terrific bonus." Marilyn Taylor
What’s the Meaning of Life?
Tara Keane (runner-up)
"One of approximately 80 orangutans living independently in the Sepilok-Kabili Forest Reserve in Sabah, Borneo. I am fascinated by orangutans - and have been since childhood. I find their faces so expressive. I would love to know what’s going on in their minds when they sit so pensively in the forest." Tara Keane
Wasp Trio Drinking
Ian Mears (Marco winner)
"This image is from a summer project in 2023, looking into the lives of the common wasp through photos taken over several weeks in different weather and lighting." Ian Mears
- How to photograph the movement and motion of wildlife
- How to take great underwater photos of wildlife
- How to photograph a spider's web
Bonelli
Victoria Andrews (runner-up)
"At first light in rural Spain, this fox fancied his chances against the eagle. The bird fought hard, making itself huge with its outstretched wings. Eventually, the fox made the bird so dizzy that it tumbled and flew off, leaving its catch for the hungry fox! Capturing this event was an incredible experience!" Victoria Andrews
Larval Octopus
Richard Ayrton (runner-up)
"This image was taken on a blackwater dive, diving at night in the open water with no sea bed or reef nearby, then using powerful lights to attract planktonic animals. This dive was conducted in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia. I was fortunate to have come across a larval mimic octopus, this translucent creature was approximately 2cm across." Richard Ayrton
Anybody Home
Krisztina Mácsai (runner-up)
"Jumping spiders love small spaces where they can hide. This wasp’s nest fell onto my terrace from the roof. This little spider was very happy to discover it and soon took shelter in one of the empty tubes. I waited a few minutes until he decided to come out. He was looking around and then went right back inside again." Krisztina Mácsai
Vole’s Eye View
Simon Roberts (runner-up)
"A barn owl pouncing silently on its prey." Simon Roberts
Wasp on Dandelion
Carol Visser (runner-up)
Incoming Gannets
Linda Ariss (Birds winner)
On a boat around Bempton Cliffs, watching the many gannets. They sometimes looked so ungainly, splaying their wings & feet out. But, wow, when they fold themselves into a dart shape and dive in for a fish, they are magnificent and a joy to watch." Linda Ariss
Tree Silhouettes
Felix Belloin (runner-up)
"Drones are a great tool to reveal beauty from inaccessible angles. From the ground, this was just a nicely lit clump of trees in the middle of a field. But, from above, the elongated silhouettes crossing the geometrical shapes from farm machinery in the field came to life." Felix Belloin
Just the Two of Us
Sean Chinn (runner-up)
"As I left Manuel Antonio and headed north to Puntarenas to join my liveaboard, I had time to quickly stop at the famous Tarcoles Crocodile Bridge. Numerous huge American crocodiles inhabited the river and river beds underneath the bridge. I decided to get my drone up to get a different angle of the crocodiles from directly above." Sean Chinn
Buttercup Echoes
Fo Bugler (runner-up)
"A composite image of buttercups down a Dorset lane I took while at a festival." Fo Bugler
Sycamore Gap - The Last Show
Ian Sproat (runner-up)
"I got this shot just a week or so before Sycamore Gap was maliciously chopped down. Sycamore Gap was so close to my heart for so many reasons, it was a place of peace for so many, including myself. Whenever I needed a break from normal life, I would drive to Twice Brewed Park up and make my way to the magical tree. I don’t think people understand how important this place was for some of us, sadly no more. This particular evening was very special. A group of people were standing nearby, waiting for a show of northern lights to appear, and a lot had already left in fear that they’d missed it. But a friend and I agreed the best was yet to come, and boy were we right. To date, one of the best shows I’ve ever seen in this country. Now this image is even more important to me and will forever remain one of my favourite images I’ve ever taken." Ian Sproat
- Nature Photographer of the Year 2023 winners: Heavenly image of spectacled bear in Andean Mountains takes top spot
- Ocean Art Underwater Photo Contest 2023 winners: diving macaque, adorable pygmy seahorse and nesting octopus take prizes
Watch out for details of next year’s LCE Photographer of the Year 2025, which will be announced later this year.
