Discover Outstanding Works from the Animal Kingdom in APOY 2025 Top 10

Celebrating Wildlife Photography in the International Amateur Photographer of the Year 2025

The results for the seventh round of the renowned International Amateur Photographer of the Year 2025 competition have been announced, highlighting the extraordinary talent of photographers worldwide. This round, focusing on the captivating Animal Kingdom category, brought forth stunning entries that truly reflect the diverse wildlife and the skill of their photographers.

Sara Williams clinches the top position in the Animal Kingdom category with her delightful photograph titled ‘Horses of Rhossili Bay’, capturing the playful spirit of two horses. In the Young category of the contest, Charlie Gil outshines his peers with his winning image, demonstrating exceptional vision and technique. Let’s dive into the top ten images from this round, along with insights and critiques from our judges.

Top 10 Images from the Animal Kingdom Round

1. Horses of Rhossili Bay by Sara Williams, UK - 100 points

Camera settings: Sony RX10 IV, 24-600mm equivalent at 115mm, 1/1000 sec at f/4.5, ISO 100

Sara delivers an exhilarating image of horses, encapsulating a moment of pure joy as one horse rolls playfully while the other looks on. The lighting and clouds complement this dynamic scene perfectly, grounding it within the rich landscape of Rhossili Bay. This photograph exemplifies the potential for long-term projects focused on animal behavior and interaction.

2. Got Your Tail by Isobel Davis - 90 points

Camera settings: Nikon Z9, 70-200mm at 200mm, 1/1000 sec at f/2.8, ISO 1000

This captivating image captures the playful interaction of two foxes, demonstrating their behavior in a delightful manner. Guest judge Ellie Rothnie praised the composition, noting how the photographer's ground-level perspective fosters a sense of intimacy. The diffuse background emphasizes the focus on the foxes, bringing their antics to life—an effective portrayal of wildlife that intrigues viewers.

3. The Sentinel by Mats Carduner, France - 80 points

Camera settings: Leica Q2, 28mm, 1/800 sec at f/6.3, ISO 100

This striking photograph of a solitary bird on an iceberg delivers not only aesthetic beauty but also a powerful message about environmental issues. Taken in Greenland, the composition contrasts the fragile existence of wildlife against the backdrop of climate change, prompting viewers to reflect on the challenges many species face today.

4. Majestic by Steve Jackson, UK - 70 points

Camera settings: Not supplied

Steve captures an awe-inspiring portrait of a lion, filling the frame with the animal’s head and mane. The catchlight in the lion's eyes adds life to the photograph, while the choice to convert it to black and white enhances the textures of the fur. This image exemplifies the minimalist power that can be achieved through wildlife photography.

5. Tail Ends by Linda Wride, UK - 60 points

Camera settings: Nikon D300, 16mm, 1/1000 sec at f/4.5, ISO 1000

Linda’s creative shot offers a unique perspective of horses, focusing on their backsides beautifully illuminated against a smooth background. The composition explores different tones and textures, offering a fresh take on animal photography and hinting at the fine-art potential within this genre.

6. Humpback Whales by Ed Hasler, UK - 50 points

Camera settings: DJI Mavic 3, 24mm, 1/320 sec at f/4, ISO 160

This stunning aerial view of humpback whales taken with a drone highlights their natural habitat in Greenland. Ed’s composition skillfully balances the water and ice, capturing the whales' majestic presence while also showcasing their environment. The moment of the whale blowing is perfectly timed and impactful.

7. Not Impressed… by Helen Trust, UK - 45 points

Camera settings: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, 150-600mm at 600mm, 1/1000 sec at f/8, ISO 1600

Helen captures a mountain hare in a characteristic pose, using her zoom lens to focus on its expressive face. The surrounding grasses add depth but do not distract from the subject, creating a sharp, captivating portrait that showcases the hare's personality effectively.

8. Gentoo’s Story of Survival by Bircan Harper, UK - 40 points

Camera settings: Nikon Z9, 300mm, 1/50 sec at f/18, ISO 900

Bircan’s image of a gentoo penguin navigating a snowstorm developed uniquely dramatic effects. The slower shutter speed conveys the harsh weather, while the composition tells a poignant story of survival. This thoughtful approach leads the viewers to appreciate the resilience of wildlife.

9. Curiosity by Shawn Thomas, USA - 35 points

Camera settings: Nikon Z9, 600mm, 1/3200 sec at f/4, ISO 2200

This enchanting moment of ducklings intrigued by a dragonfly showcases Shawn's timing and technique. The low-angle shot allows for a beautiful connection between the subjects, enriched by the soft evening light that envelops the scene and evokes a sense of calm.

10. Woodland Fox by Ewen MacRury, UK - 30 points

Camera settings: Nikon Z6 II, 28-75mm at 75mm, 1/200 sec at f/2.8, ISO 200

Ewen's close-up of a fox exudes calm and grace, framed beautifully by the woodland setting. The gentle light accentuates the vibrant colors of the fox's fur, while the low shoot angle emphasizes its dignified pose, creating a striking and memorable wildlife portrait.

Highlighting Young Talent in Wildlife Photography

Young Amateur Photographer Winner: Feeding Frenzy by Charlie Gil, Spain - 100 points

Camera settings: GoPro HERO12 Black, 15mm-equivalent, 1/1000 sec at f/2.5, ISO 100

Charlie’s electrifying shot of whale sharks feeding in Komodo, Indonesia, encapsulates both excitement and the raw energy of nature. The ultra-wide angle captures the scene's scale and majesty, making it an exceptional representation of wildlife interaction.

A Look at Honorable Mentions from Camera Clubs

This round also highlighted remarkable entries from various camera clubs, showcasing the breadth of talent in the amateur photography community.

1. Long-eared Owl at Dusk by Erika Howard

Camera settings: Canon EOS R6, 100-500mm at 343mm, 1/2000 sec at f/6.7, ISO 8000

Erika's shot perfectly captures the owl's intense gaze at dusk. The timing and technical proficiency emphasize the bird's character in its natural setting.

2. Safe by Karen Akers

Camera settings: Nikon D610, 28-300mm at 300mm, 1/2000 sec at f/5.6, ISO 800

This gentle portrayal of a king penguin protecting its egg highlights the delicate aspects of parenting in the animal kingdom, showcasing emotions inherent in wildlife.

3. Dog by Luz Mery Suarez

Camera settings: Panasonic TZ100, 250mm equivalent, 1/1600 sec at f/5.9, ISO 125

Luz captures a whimsical moment where a dog leans out of a window, cleverly leaving viewers to imagine what has caught its attention, inviting further contemplation.

4. Highland Cow on Dartmoor by Geoff Trevarthen

Camera settings: Not supplied

The low shooting perspective brings out the grandeur of the Highland cow, beautifully contrasting with its landscape backdrop.

5. Serenity by Mark Waller

Camera settings: Leica SL2-S, 24-90mm at 37mm, 1/60 sec at f/7.1, ISO 800

This minimalist photograph of a pelican reflecting on still water exemplifies elegance and tranquility in wildlife imagery.

Leaderboards and the Future

As the competition progresses, Bircan Harper currently leads the pack, showcasing a diverse range of skills and perspectives in capturing wildlife. Photographers Erick Howard and Azim Khan Ronnie also remain strong competitors. The next rounds promise more compelling entries and creative breakthroughs as these talented individuals vie for the outstanding recognition in the field.

Winning Equipment and Gear Insights

It’s interesting to note the equipment used by the winners, shedding light on the tools that lead to remarkable wildlife photography. Sara Williams’ winning shot was taken with a Sony RX10 IV, a bridge camera known for its phenomenal 24-600mm focal range and impressive autofocus capabilities. Similarly, the Nikon Z9, noted for its extraordinary continuous shooting and AI autofocus, was favored by several other leading photographers in this competition.

As the competition continues, aspiring photographers should pay attention to both the creative techniques showcased and the equipment choices that influence these stunning outcomes.

Explore winning gear at Camera Centre UK.

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