Results are in for the Nature Photographer of the Year 2024 competition, presented by Nature Talks. This year's overall winner is Paolo Della Rocca from Italy, with his dramatic shot entitled 'Games Between Siblings'.
"In this extraordinary photograph, the photographer has captured what many consider the holy grail of wildlife photography – not just one, but two snow leopards in a dramatic confrontation," said jury chairman Tin Man Lee. "The image freezes a breathtaking moment as these elusive cats rear up on their hind legs, their powerful forms perfectly separated against the snowy landscape, creating a scene of raw power and natural drama. What elevates this image beyond a mere sighting is the technical excellence in capturing such explosive behaviour in challenging mountain conditions, combined with the artistic merit of a composition that places these mysterious cats in their ethereal, high-altitude habitat.”
- How to photograph the movement and motion of wildlife
- How to take great underwater photos of wildlife
- How to photograph a spider's web
Capturing this incredible image was no easy task, revealed Nature Photographer of the Year 2024 winner Paolo Della Rocca.
“In northern India lies a region called Spiti Valley, home to one of the most elusive wild animals on Earth—the snow leopard. Since childhood, this journey has been a dream of mine, and the snow leopard has always been my favorite wild animal.
"This year, during my search for this mysterious feline, I was lucky enough to encounter a pair of sub-adult siblings and to capture them at different moments in their lives. The most incredible day of this experience was February 1st. This image was anything but easy to obtain. I waited over six hours at the edge of a canyon as the two siblings rested in a cave. The cold – reaching -25 degrees and intensified by a snowstorm – seeped into my bones.
"When calm finally returned, the snow leopards began to move, chasing each other up the snowy slopes, playing in front of my astonished eyes. I remember thinking, ‘This isn’t happening; it can’t be real!’ And then, I captured this frame. Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine photographing such a moment. I’m so glad and grateful that the jury of NPOTY 2024 appreciated this photograph!”
Nature Photographer of the Year 2024 winners
Golden Eye by Luca Lorenz (Birds category)
Games Between Siblings by Paolo Della Rocca (Mammals category)
Disturbing Shadow by Sebastien Blomme (Other Animals category)
Ocean Dance by Junqi Peng (Plants & Fungi category)
Black Lava Beach by Baard Næss (Landscape category)
Giant Octopus Dofleini by Andrey Shpatak (Underwater category)
Amino Acids Mimicking Nature by Dirk Vermaire (Nature Art category)
My Pet Tiger by Aaron Gekoski (Human & Nature category)
Cross to Bear by Paul Goldstein (Black & White category)
Colorful Seagull by Mathijs Frenken (Nature of “De Lage Landen” category)
Brace! by D'Artagnan Sprengel (Youth category)
Find out more about the Nature Photographer of the Year competition.