British wildlife photographer Paul Joynson-Hicks finds a fun new way to encourage conservation with the upcoming Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
Wildlife has been the object of Paul Joynson-Hicks' attention for 25 years. That would describe many wildlife photographers, but it's also his family — consisting a “Mrs (aka the pooch), two little boys (the bograts) and springers, rosie and coco” that lives with him in Arusha, Tanzania — and the audience of his wry sense of humour.
A photography competition that's light hearted, upbeat and possibly unpretentious would be “a good way to try and educate people about conservation issues” he thought and single-handedly organised the first edition of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards (CWPA), which saw 1,500 entries from 52 countries last year. This year’s award night will be held in London on November 9 (see box).
Award-winning landscape photographer and Joynson-Hicks' fellow competition director, Tom Sullam observes, “Wildlife photography today is absolutely amazing, and with developments in technology, photographers are getting closer, sharper images, and breaking new ground. But it's possibly also creating a certain distance from the lay person, who may feel these images are so out of their reach. The funny photos may allow a greater buy, and as such, a greater bond between the viewer and the subject.” And “it’s amazing how often animals surprise you. Half the time with something entertaining and funny, like an elephant giving itself a casual inside leg rub on a large branch, only for it to shatter under the elephant's body weight, or a group of baboons chasing each other across trees and crashing into each other as part of the fun,” adds Sullam, who also lives in Tanzania.
That said, while the entries have to be funny, they must also be technically strong, genuine and unaltered. The images should be from the wild of the wild and animals mustn't be affected through the shoot in any way. Wouldn't the need for technical know-how work anti-purpose, alienate the lay person? “There are many keen photographers out there, who aren't professionals, but own very good kits. Yet, getting great shots requires the user’s skill. It's this group that we think we appeal to,” Sullam clarifies.
Entry is free for the five categories of creatures of the land, air and underwater, juniors (under 16) and the amazing internet portfolio (four images). There's also video clip category. The jury chooses one winner from each category and an overall winner.
Whether it's the picture of a pair of penguins that appear to be headless as they've bent it backwards to scratch their back, a bird pooping on the head of a bovine it's perched on or a leopard staring in bewilderment at a speed limit road sign — photos of this year's 40 finalists, selected 2,250 entries, are bound to crack you up and make you appreciate the eye the lens men. Although most entries are from the US, UK and Europe, in all, they’ve poured in from 75 countries.
Apart from Joynson-Hicks and Sullam, the diverse jury panel includes CEO of Born Free Foundation, Will Travers; UK TV presenter Kate Humble; British comedian Hugh Dennis; online travel editor of Daily Telegraph Ollie Smith; award-winning wildlife photographers Will Burrard-Lucas; and marketer and printer, Adam Scorey.
So how do the duo gauge the impact of this competition? They hope that besides the revenue they'll generate and share with Born Free Foundation, “it will make people read and understand that conservation is an issue”. Sullam believes that “the longer the competition runs, the easier it will be for us to tell whether we are making a difference”.
As for photographers, while they retain the rights to their images, CWPA will contact them for book requests, calendars, post cards etc. If permitted, CWPA will also manage commercial relationships for them.
And the winner gets...
- Each category winner of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards will receive trophies.
- One overall winner will receive a CWPA trophy, a NIKON D810 camera, two international air tickets and an all-expenses paid, week-long safari with Awards founder Paul Joynson-Hicks.
- Entries for the 2017 Awards will open on May 1, 2017
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "CWPA")
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}