Photography Competition 2021 Winners
The theme for photography competition in 2021 was Interconnected. The Society would like to congratulate the winners and shortlisted photographers, who were announced during Biology Week 2021.
In the press
Images from the competition were covered in a number of news outlets including BBC News, The Guardian, Mashable India, New Scientist, and The Telegraph.
Photographer of the Year 2021: Winner
Mutualism by Vishwanath Birje
Taken: Thane, India
The mutualistic relationship between ant and aphid. The ants consume honeydew excreted by a yellow aphid, and in return, the ants protect the aphid from other organisms, such as the red mites.
Photographer of the Year 2021: Runner up
Hon Yen marine ecosystem by Truong Hoai Vu
Taken: Phu Yen, Vietnam
Every year, between May and August, the coral of this rich and diverse ecosystem becomes exposed at low tide.
Photographer of the Year 2021: Shortlisted
Family quarrel by Alfonso Roldán Losada
Taken: Córdoba, Spain
Bee-eaters are easily spotted birds because of their colours. They spend most of their time flying in search of insects.
The plague by Henry Harte
Taken: Borana, Kenya
In 2019, Kenya and most of East Africa had seen its worst locust outbreak in 70 years. Varying weather due to climate change and travel and shipping restrictions have meant the outbreaks are getting larger and harder to control.
The hunt by Ripan Biswas
Taken: West Bengal, India
The interaction between the jewel wasp and cockroach is anything but friendly. The jewel wasp injects venom into the cockroach’s brain, paralysing the latter. The wasp then lays an egg in the zombified cockroach.
Bite for survival by Wei Fu
Taken: Bangkok, Thailand
The tokay gecko bites back despite being held in the coils of the golden tree snake bite.
Spiderman of our body by Chanchal Sur Chowdhury
Taken: Missouri, USA
Immune cells communicate with each other to protect our body from evading foreign particles or microorganisms. Here, neutrophil cells (light blue) release web-like structures (yellow) to defend against Tuberculosis bacteria (pink).
A tiny gathering by John Ishide Bulanadi
Taken: Pampanga, Philippines
A small group of thief ants are gathered to enjoy a few drops of syrup on top of a wax apple leaf.
Solar power plant by Gu Guanghui
Taken: Zhejiang Province, China
A large group of night herons perch upon the solar power panels at dusk.
Young Photographer of the Year 2021: Winner
Submerged by Roan Jones
Taken: Somerset, UK
A tyre being reclaimed by nature in the Vallis Forest, Somerset, showing the connection between people and the natural world.
Young Photographer of the Year 2021: Runner up
Fractals by Alice Feng
Taken: UK
The patterns in this image are of Bacillus subtilis being grown on a dextrose agar plate. The patterns form depending on the conditions of the bacteria’s environment and how bacterial cells move after coming into contact with each other.
Young Photographer of the Year 2021: Highly commended
Watering hole antics by Hayden Wood
Taken: Kenya
A pair of Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi) drink from a watering hole.
Special thanks to judges
Alice Campain, CABI
Tim Harris, Nature Picture Library and Bluegreen Pictures
Tom Hartman, The University of Nottingham
Alex Hyde, Freelance natural history photographer
Linda Pitkin, underwater photographer