We’ve only recently started entering select nature photo competitions. And by select, the two generally acknowledged most prestigious competitions are the Veolia Environment Wildlife Photographer of the Year and Nature’s Best. This year we achieved two commended awards in the Animal Antics section of the Nature’s Best competition. We are still getting a handle on what the judges of the various competitions are looking for as preferences differ significantly.
Cheetah mother shaking rain-drenched fur with her six cubs in close attendance, Masai Mara, Kenya
Male Lion with wind blowing through its mane, snarling at cub, Masai Mara, Kenya
Ruth Vogele
December 27, 2011
Congratulations…….Now I can ‘name drop’ with authority!!!!!
Thanks for including me on your email list…
I will NEVER be as proficient as you…… however I feel I can learn a lot by studying your work.
Look forward to more.
Ulla Spansdahl
December 27, 2011
It is a great pleasure watching your photos. Congratulations! These two photos are fun to watch for their content and a joy two watch their technical and compositional perfection. I find looking at pictures like these very inspirational. Want to grab my camera and run out and take pictures. It will only be of the neighbours cat Missy, but she is a great model and it is fun catching her movements.
Ulla
Romaine Bayless
December 27, 2011
Wonderful images!!! Congratulations on your well-deserved awards.
Gordon Lindsay
December 27, 2011
Great shots, if you can get a handle on what each judge is looking for (and good luck with that) you’ll have answered one of the great philosophical questions of our time. LOL
Arthur Morris
December 27, 2011
Great stuff and mazel tov. Figuring out those judges is tough. artie
Paul Mckenzie
December 30, 2011
Thx Artie. Still got some way to go to match your 8-9 BBC awards.
Geoff
December 27, 2011
Awesome work Paul
Anne Owen
December 27, 2011
Great stuff – congratulations.
Margie McNamara
December 27, 2011
excellent!
Paul Mckenzie
December 30, 2011
Hi Margie, got your ice photos. We’re you in the same zodiac as me? If not, amazing that you also thought to stick your camera into that hole. Aussies doing well in the cricket!
Yan Verschueren
December 28, 2011
It’s difficut to choose but I like the most the first one. Just taken at the right moment, exact right second. Perfect timed. Against sunlight. Beautifull coulors. You can see the closed eye’s of some little cheeta’s afraid of the splash. Beautifull composition. This is SUPERB. No doubt a master piece! 200%
Virginia Gray
December 28, 2011
2 great images Paul!
I like the drama of the second one best
Robert Pickard
December 28, 2011
Stunning images, Paul! You have set an amazing standard for us to aspire to. Thank you for sending them through. Robert Pickard
Jim Crabb
December 28, 2011
Bravo! Bravo! I echo what Ruth Vogele wrote. I learn everytime I see one of your offerings.
Li
December 28, 2011
Awesome pictures! Makes me want to go back to Masai Mara!
Paul Mckenzie
December 30, 2011
Hi Li. I’ll be doing two trips to the Mara in early August and late September. Will keep you posted if you are interested in coming. Lots of love, Paul, Paveena and Amaya.
JAMES MENJO
December 30, 2011
very nice pictures paul. it was timed correctly.
Paul Mckenzie
December 30, 2011
Thx Jaime. Hope you are having a good festive season. Best regards, Paul
Paul mckenzie
December 31, 2011
Hi Ruth, thank you for your generous praise. Being able to inspire others is probably the ultimate complement you can pay me. Many thanks, Paul
Joanna Patterson
January 11, 2012
Hi Paul,
Thanks so much for adding me to your email list. These two shots are magnificent. It’s hard to imagine a cheetah mom being able to sustain SIX cubs! Wow! More power to her, and more power to you as you progress in the world of wildlife photography. Beautifully executed images, both, and your recognition for them is very much deserved.
Joanna
Paul Mckenzie
January 11, 2012
Hi Joanna, thank you for your praise. Yes, very rare for a Cheetah mother to successfully raise so many cubs. Last I heard, the cubs (now adults off course) are all doing well with the four males forming a coalition. They have been outside the main Mara area but hopefully will return. Paul
Lina Zapata
January 31, 2012
Beautiful pictures! best of luck in the competition, I think you have a good chance 🙂
Anne Cusic
December 22, 2012
Paul, Your cheetah shot is my all time favorite wildlife photo (including my own!). I’ve always suspected that wildlife photography is 10% luck and 90% knowing what to do with that luck. We looked for this family shortly after your photo was taken, but they had already moved out of the area (not that we could have topped this picture). Delighted to know they’re all safe and that “the boys” have formed a new coalition.