Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Winner 2021
February 15, 2021Robert Irwin Wins People’s Choice Award in Wildlife POTY
Robert Irwin, son of famous television conservationist Steve Irwin, has won the People’s Choice Award in the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
Irwin’s dramatic image of the devastation caused by a bushfire in Northern Australia was captured by a drone, and was the public’s favourite image. A total of 55,486 votes were cast to determine who would win the special award this year.
Irwin launched his drone into the sky after spotting smoke “billowing out of the horizon,” and sent it over to the location of the fire.
He had only a few minutes of flight time left before the battery ran out, adding more tension to the already dramatic scene.
Irwin framed a strong composition showing the 50:50 split through the forest and flew his drone into the middle of the smoke. On the left, a pristine natural conservation area is contrasted against the blackened, devastated remains of the rest of the forest.
“I am incredibly excited to win the [award],” said Irwin. “For me, nature photography is about telling a story to make a difference for the environment and our planet.
“I feel it is particularly special for this image to be awarded, not only as a profound personal honour but also as a reminder of our effect on the natural world and our responsibility to care for it.”
Irwin’s image was amongst four other images and all were put to the vote . All five photos will be displayed in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London, UK, when the building reopens. The exhibition will be open until 1st August 2021.
Here are the other images that were in the running for the People’s Choice Award.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London. For more information, see the competition’s website.