Ilena Fasci Takes Top Spot in Animal Kingdom Round of Amateur Photographer of the Year
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Ilena Fasci's striking fox portrait leads the second round of the Amateur Photographer of the Year competition, showcasing exceptional wildlife photography.
The results from the second round of the prestigious Amateur Photographer of the Year (APOY) competition are in, showcasing the talent and creativity of wildlife photographers. Ilena Fasci claimed the top prize with her breathtaking fox portrait captured in the snow. Lucy Monckton earned the title of Young APOY winner, highlighting a promising future in animal photography. Here’s a look at the top ten images submitted for the Animal Kingdom round, along with insights from the AP team and guest judge Ben Hall.
Round Two Animal Kingdom Results
1. Winner: Ilena Fasci, Italy - 100pts
Camera settings: Fujifilm X-T4, 100-400mm at 400mm, 1/800 sec at f/5.6, ISO 320
Ilena's portrait transcends a simple headshot; it captures an expressive moment where the falling snow beautifully frames the fox, enhancing the connection to its natural habitat. The timing is impeccable, and the depth of field effectively balances soft backgrounds with pronounced detail, resulting in a striking and memorable image.
2. Roy Egloff, Switzerland - 90pts
Camera settings: Fujifilm GFX100S, 120mm Macro, 1/30 sec at f/13, ISO 6400
This close-up of a green bush viper offers phenomenal detail, drawing the viewer's eye to the dark, captivating slit of its eye at the center of the frame. The composition allows movement across the image, inviting viewers to explore the intricate textures and colors of the scales.
3. Julie Tennant, USA - 80pts
Camera settings: Canon EOS 80D, 18-135mm
This image highlights striking composition and color play, with a blue peacock's head contrasting beautifully against a vivid yellow wall. The careful positioning of the bird creates a harmonious balance, offering a unique take on wildlife photography.
4. Gillian Evans, UK - 70pts
Camera settings: Nikon Z 8, 100-400mm at 100mm, 1/2000 sec at f/10, ISO 280
This image features a polar bear amid striking ice formations, showcasing an ethereal quality through subtle light and color tones. The composition’s strength lies in the bear's placement near an intersecting third, emphasizing its isolation in a vast, fragile landscape.
5. Sara Jazbar, Italy - 60pts
Camera settings: Nikon Z 8, 14-24mm at 17mm, 1/250 sec at f/5, ISO 2000
Sara's interpretation of the classic cat-through-the-hole concept stands out. The perfect expression from her feline subject combined with her quick reflexes captures a moment that balances humor and technical skill beautifully.
6. Pankaj Joshi, India - 50pts
Camera settings: OM Digital Solutions OM-1 Mark II, 500mm, 1/2000 sec at f/5.6, ISO 3200
Pankaj's timing in capturing a bat in flight against a beautifully lit background adds depth and impact to the image, showcasing action photography at its best.
7. John Mihopulos, Germany - 45pts
Camera settings: Canon EOS R3, 600mm, 1/60 sec at f/4.5, ISO 640
The painterly quality of John’s image, accented by soft hues, captures the grace of storks in motion, highlighting both their dynamic flight and serene environment.
8. Chris Robbins, UK - 40pts
Camera settings: Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 100mm Macro, 1/200 sec at f/13, ISO 320
Chris’s perseverance paid off, as he captured the swift motion of a swallow as it heads towards hungry chicks in their nest—a rare moment that showcases his patience and skill.
9. Robert Chirileanu, Romania - 35pts
Camera settings: Nikon D800, 20mm, 1/400 sec at f/7.1, ISO 400
This character-rich image of Romanian shepherd dogs captures their curiosity, made even more engaging by Robert’s choice to shoot at their eye level, allowing viewers to connect with the subjects directly.
10. Phil Orris, UK - 30pts
Camera settings: Canon EOS R7, 100-500mm at 500mm, 1/640 sec at f/7.1, ISO 1000
Phil's portrait of a starling reveals the beauty in a commonly overlooked bird. The vibrant colors and striking detail against a dark background elevate this image, making it a standout piece.
Young APOY Winner
Lucy Monckton, UK - 100pts
Camera settings: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, 500mm, 1/1600 sec at f/5, ISO 400
Lucy's skill in close-up portraiture shines through in her photo of an Arctic fox, demonstrating proper cropping techniques and effective background choices that draw all attention to her subject.
APOY 2024 Leaderboard after Round Two
The competition’s leaderboard remains tightly contested. With time yet to enter, it’s a great opportunity for photographers to showcase their work. As participants progress, we expect to see significant point variations among competitors. The Young APOY category is similarly competitive, demonstrating an encouraging range of emerging talent.
Gear Used by the Top Ten
Success in photography often hinges on the equipment used:
Pankaj Joshi, in 6th place, utilized the OM Systems OM-1 Mark II, noted for its quick response and exceptional image quality, priced at £2,199 at Camera Centre UK.
Robert Chirileanu’s 9th place shot features the AF Nikkor 20mm f/2.8D, affordable at £449, offers versatility across genres.
Phil Orris's stunning image came from a Canon EOS R7, a robust choice at £1,279, celebrated for its speed and advanced autofocus capabilities.
Explore the full range of gear available at Camera Centre UK.
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