International Federation of Wildlife Photography (IFWP) invited the national nature photographers associations to participate in the selection of the IFWP Nature Photo Book of the Year. The idea was to promote nature photography and the (lonely) work of the individual nature photographers.
The main media to publish nature photographs has traditionally been and is still the books. With this selection IFWP wants to get more exchange in nature photography worldwide and at the same time to promote the quality of nature photography and the international cooperation of the national associations - which both are one of main tasks of the association.
It was basically thought that the national associations first select nationally the Nature Photo Book of the Year and send this book as their candidate to the IFWP-selection. Naturally the national associations could make the selection also in their own way. The books to be selected had to be published during the last two years.
The final selection of the book of the year was based mainly on the quality of the photographs. Naturally the make up, the printing of the book and the total visual impact had a certain role in the selection.
2005 |
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'Moments in the Forest' by Lin Meiki
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'Lyspunkt' by the Norwegian Nature Photographers Association |
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2003 |
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'Jag har sett' (I have seen) by Jan-Peter Lahall |
'The World of
Kuribayashi, Satoshi' |
The partcipitation in the selection was eight books: from the Chech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Japan,
Norway, 2 from Sweden (a
book from each of 2 associations).
The judges were from the BBC Wildlife Magazine, UK: The editor Sophie Stafford and art director Simon Bishop.
The letter from the jury of IFWP Nature Photo Book of the Year 2005:
"This book selection contained a fascinating variety of subject matter and photographic styles, but for us two books really stood out.
Moments in the Forest by Lin Meiki
This book starts with some astonishingly beautiful landscapes and continues to impress the reader with the high quality and consistency of the photography throughout.
High quality paper, the best reproduction of the selection, coupled with an elegant, simple design, gave each image the space to breathe.
But while the photographer's skilled composition and inspired use of light and focus created variety and interest, we felt that overall this book slightly lacked the element of vibrancy and variety of wildlife that keep the reader interested to the end.
Ultimately, it celebrated the forest but not the wildlife that gives this habitat life and interest.
Lyspunkt
Our second choice was a book that, we felt, would have the broadest appeal to readers.
The variety of images of all aspects of natural history was lively, interesting and often beautiful. The attractive small format of the book, simple but effective design and good reproduction showcased the images well.
The book included a nice combination of classic wildlife shots as well as classy artistic images. The changes of pace, particularly from realism to abstract and back again, were one of this book’s strengths.
However, with such a large number of photographers involved, the quality of the images was inconsistent. Brilliant, innovative photos were sometimes followed by disappointing or predictable ones.
Overall, the judges enjoyed both of the books, but felt that Moments in the Forest was of the highest standards, while Lyspunkt had the diversity and interest.
The judges also wished to commend Klaus Nigge on his stunning bison images."
The judge was one of the most famous nature photographers in the world - Art Wolfe. Art Wolfe is a well-known performer in the European Nature Photo Festivals and also through his 45 books he is globally the most famous nature photographer, see enclosure.
The yield in this first-ever selection of the IFWP Nature Photo Book of the Year 2003 was very good. We got a good selection of books from the countries which are active in publishing Nature Photo Books. The partcipants came from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Hungary, France, Germany and Japan.
The IFWP 2003 Nature Photo Book came from Sweden: Jag har sett, photographed by Jan-Peter Lahall. He is a very famous photographer in Sweden, in Scandinavia and also in Middle-Europe - he has won many prizes e.g. in the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year-competition, see more: www.lahall.com. Lets give the floor to Art Wolfe:
"All the selections you sent to me are of a high standard and of great interest to me. I love the cat book and I certainly find the insect book extremely innovative and original. But, for my personal taste, I would suggest that the book, Jag har sett, is my personal favourite on many levels. To elaborate further, the quality of the reproduction, the quality of the paper and the overall presentation is of extremely high merit. It is truly an artistic book. To go beyond that, I think the way the photographer has creatively portrayed his subject is extraordinarily high on all those levels. I find this book to be my personal favorite. I think it is an inspiration to many photographers to see the creative energies come together from design, photography and, finally, from the high reproductive quality that's maintained throughout the book."
Could one imagine to get a better appraisal from his book. My best congratulations for you Jan-Peter!
The selection of Art Wolfe was very well balanced in many ways. The runner up came from the other side of the globe and the subject was also totally different. The merits were also based on entirely unlike grounds but the judge was very impressed of the book. Art Wolfe writes:
"As a runner-up, I believe the book The World of Kuribayashi, Satoshi certainly stands alone in terms of sheer creativity. The subject of insects is portrayed in not only a whimsical way but it makes you feel as though you actually enter the world of the insects. I certainly had a tough choice to make. I believe the book on insects is extraordinarily well executed, but my first choice remains with Jag har sett."
Congratulations once more for the both winners! The winners will get a diplom for their merit postally.
The best thanks to participators and to the judge!
International Federation of Wildlife Photography, IFWP
2003, Matti Torkkomäki, president
For more information please write to the International Federation of Wildlife
Photography:
Henkjan Kievit (president)
or the members of the Council.
