Museum of Natural History photographs capture once in a lifetime moment

A 10-year-old boy has nabbed a major award while a marine biologist has captured a once in a lifetime event.

A 10-year-old boy has claimed a major award for natural photography for his picture of a spider in India while a biologist captured a rare moment in the wild to clinch the top prize.

Vidyun Hebbar was Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2021 for his image called ‘dome home’ at the Natural History Museum‘s Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

The child from Bengaluru first entered the competition when he was eight, and predominantly takes photos of tiny creatures that live in the streets and parks near his home.

Exploring his local theme park, Vidyun found an occupied spider’s web in a gap in a wall. Picture: Vidyun R Hebbar/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

“The picture is perfectly framed, the focus is spot on. You can see the spider‘s fangs and the crazy weave of the trap, the threads like some delicate nerve network linked to the spider’s feet. But the clever bit is the addition of a creative backdrop – the bright colours of a motorised rickshaw,’ judge Rosamund Kidman Cox said.

The main prize was taken out by French underwater photographer and biologist Laurent Ballesta – who won photographer of the year.

Laurent Ballesta captured the frame while underwater. Picture: Laurent Ballesta/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

There were more than 50,000 entries from 95 countries.

The photographs will make up a larger exhibit and have insights about the animals and plants featured in the photos.

Mr Ballesta’s picture, titled ‘Creation’, captured camouflage groupers exiting their milky cloud of eggs and sperm in Fakarava, French Polynesia.

Reflection by Majed Ali, Kuwait Winner, Animal Portraits Majed Ali (Kuwait) glimpses the moment a mountain gorilla closes its eyes in the rain. Picture: Majed Ali/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

The healing touch, from Community care by Brent Stirton, South Africa Winner. Picture: Brent Stirton/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

The photographer and biologist have returned to the same place for the last five years, diving day and night, to watch the spawning take place under the moonlight in July.

Natural History Museum director Dr Doug Gurr said the picture showed an extremely rare moment in the wild.

“In what could be a pivotal year for the planet, with vital discussions taking place at COP15 and COP26, Laurent Ballesta’s ‘Creation’ is a compelling reminder of what we stand to lose if we do not address humanity’s impact on our planet,” he said.

“The protection provided to this endangered species by the biosphere reserve highlights the positive difference we can make.”

Elephant in the room by Adam Oswell, Australia Winner. Picture: Adam Oswell/Wildlife Photographer of the Year