60 years of wildlife photographer of the year: how wildlife photography became art

A sumptuous celebration of more than 230 of the most memorable and beautiful wildlife photographs from the past 60 years

There’s a unique magic to nature photography, and 60 Years of Wildlife Photographer of the Year reflects that wonder on every page. The book collects more than 230 breathtaking images from one of the world’s most prestigious photography competitions hosted by the Natural History Museum, London, with captions that provide insight on the subject and the photographer’s methods. The images capture intimate, otherworldly, and poignant moments, including:

• Elephants taking a mud shower
• A macaque seeing his reflection for the first time

• The courtship dance of a humpback whale
• A convolvulus hawk-moth drinking from a tobacco flower

• Vibrant orange algae growing on a Monterey cypress

The book uncovers the striking beauty of animals, plants, and landscapes across the globe, and also reveals the artistry behind successful wildlife photography, which involves patience, instinct, and an understanding of animal behavior to get the perfect shot. Many of the photos also serve as important symbols of conservationism, demonstrating the urgent need to preserve the natural world.

60 Years of Wildlife Photographer of the Year positions wildlife photography as an important part of art history, and provides the ultimate way to witness all that nature has to offer.

Rosamund Kidman Cox is a British editor, photo editor, and writer specializing in wildlife and environmental issues. She was the editor of BBC Wildlife Magazine for 23 years, and the coeditor of books including Frozen Planet, Life, and Planet Earth for BBC Books.