Past Judges Tips: Dean Ingwersen

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What makes a winning nature or bird photograph for you?

I don't think there is a recipe to follow to get you a winning image, but to me an image has to do one of several things – draw you into the world of the subject (i.e. getting a view from the perspective of the bird), capture some action which is otherwise missed or too fleeting to really appreciate (such as the first image below), or showcase the species in question really well (such as the second example below). At workshops and talks I give I think participants get sick of me talking about images where the subject has either eye contact with the photographer, or another animal in the image. To me it’s one of the most fundamental parts of making a good image great.

In terms of ‘action photos’, the photo on the left below, taken by a colleague of mine Glenn Ehmke, was the overall winner for ANZANG 2010. I love the interaction, composure, and Glenn’s ability to freeze a moment in time. The look on the seal's face rounds this off perfectly.

In terms of portraits or birds in habitat, I’ve always been in awe of this photo from Jan Wegener (right below). Beautiful light, amazing control of the scene (i.e. capturing a smooth background), and the pose of such a stunning bird on a termite mound. In one photo he’s captured the essence of this species.