Every year we host a staff photography competition, selecting the very best photos taken on our travels. The quality and standard of the photos get better every year and here we showcase the winners from each category: People, Landscapes and Wildlife.
Landscapes
Gold: Sossusvlei, Namibia by Cate Gunn
The petrified trees in Dead Vlei, Sossusvlei are among the most dynamic scenery in Namibia. A vast open space with striking colours makes this spot a photographer’s dream.
Silver: Damaraland, Namibia by Cate Gunn
Relaxing after a day rhino tracking in Damaraland, Namibia, I wasn’t the only one admiring the stunning view from Grootberg Lodge. On a clear day you can see for miles. Set on the edge of a steep hillside, this is one of the most peaceful places to relax and enjoy some seclusion from the outside world.
Bronze: Leyte, Philippines by Nik Horncastle
I had woken early in Southern Leyte and the sea looked like a mill pond creating beautiful reflections. I was desperate to try out my new underwater camera so went out into the beautiful turquoise waters to play around. I noticed the fisherman at the end of the beach and sat and waited for him to come into shot. It was a really tranquil moment. There is a slight sadness to this picture as this beach is South of Tacloban, so it would have been hit badly by typhoon Yolanda.
People
Gold: Lady of the Muun Tribe, Myanmar by Mark Robinson
I was trekking in the Chin State in Myanmar when I came into a village called Kanpetlet. This is where I met the village elder pictured and, via my guide, we engaged in an interesting conversation about her garden. I love this photograph because of the vibrant colours of her clothing — she is wearing the traditional dress of the Muun tribe.
Silver: San elder, Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana by Katie Fewkes
Whilst on a research trip in Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Pans we had the opportunity to walk with the San bushmen. It was a humbling and enlightening experience, watching as they looked for edible roots and tracked animals by their footprints. This lady was one of the elders in the tribe and I enjoyed trying to capture her expressive face in a photograph.
Bronze: Fire dancer, Mirissa Beach, Sri Lanka by Sophie Russell
It was the end to a perfect two-week adventure in Sri Lanka. Shortly after the sun slowly sank beneath the palm-dotted hills we are treated to a spectacular fire dance on the sandy shores of Mirissa. We watched in awe at the speed and accuracy of the fire spinner on the beach, these locals have no fear!
Wildlife
Gold: Sea nettle jellyfish, Monterey Bay Aquarium, California, USA by Owen Wattley
My girlfriend and I visited the excellent Monterey Bay Aquarium on a road trip through California. A lot of the displays are in very low-light conditions, creating a mesmerising experience. Sadly, this creates problems for photography but the jellyfish were just slow enough to capture in all their glory. I loved the colour contrast between the orange jellyfish and their glowing blue tank, and I was lucky enough to shoot them when they congregated to create a great composition.
Silver: Zebra, Chobe National Park, Botswana by Cate Gunn
Travelling through Chobe National Park in Botswana, herds of zebra can be seen running gracefully through the soft evening light at dusk. A little way behind the herd, this lonesome zebra was photographed among the thick bush.
Bronze: Panther Chameleon, Andasibe National Park, Madagascar by Tara Walraven
Andasibe National Park covers an area of montane rainforest at altitudes between 930 metres and 1,040 metres. It is the best park for the indri, the largest lemur, and there are some wonderful chameleons in the reserve including the two-foot long Parson’s chameleon, the tiny nose-horned chameleon and the panther chameleon pictured here. Andasibe is great for spotting all types of exotic wildlife, frogs are plentiful and birding highlights include the Madagascar blue pigeon, coral-billed nuthatches and the Madagascar long-eared owl.
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