The World in our Hands

The Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.

Every year I go to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition and every year I’m blown away by the beauty, quality and originality of the photographs submitted. For me the annual exhibition never gets old. There are a variety of categories from animal portrait to underwater worlds. But it’s thecategory that shocks me and stays in my mind the longest. The photographs are extremely powerful and thought-provoking. They draw attention to the cruel state of the world and how man has monopolized the planet, destroying everything that gets in his way The images are almost always pessimistic, aimed to create awareness, which will hopefully inspire people to change the way they live and protect what we have.

But I wonder if I – and other people – have become immune to images like this? Have I seen so many disturbing photographs that I’ve become desensitized? Will I really remember these images after I’ve left the exhibition? I do want things to change, but do I really want to change the way I live? I suppose I question what I or anyone else can really do. Is buying free-range eggs or haddock instead of cod or animal friendly skin care really enough anymore? And why do I do that anyway? Is it just to make me feel good about myself, to think I’m changing the planet, slowly but surely? I guess what I’m saying is – I think these photographers are really good at getting people to think, but will it actually make a difference? Anyway, that’s a completely different topic, and I don’t have any answers, just conflicting views that go round in circles.

The photographers use a number of techniques to create awareness and sympathy for the endangered animals and wildlife. Some show humans very obvious mark on the planet, for example the lone tree surrounded by tier tracks. The image is cut in half showing the before and after state of the forest. The reflection of the tree in the muddy puddle is a window into the future, showing us the forest’s fate, soon all that’ll be left of this beautiful woodland is churned waterlogged earth.

Frederic Larrey’s photograph of the fisherman and the reflected fish is beautifully shot, taken from and unusual and intriguing angle. The reflection distorts the fish, blending them into the water.  Like the previous image, the composition is split in two, with nature on one side and man on the other. The net looks like patterned cloth blowing in the wind, and at first glance I focus on the textures and colours of the fish. However, the darkness at the top of the net spreads over them, bringing an ominous feel to the piece. The shadows of the net are encaging the fish, taking them away from the calm water and into the waiting fisherman’s arms.