Bedfordshire-based photographer Andy Howe has won the Action Photography Competition with his stunning capture of wildebeest crossing a river in the Masai Mara.
Howe's image was chosen from hundreds of entries into the competition, which is organized by The Society of International Nature and Wildlife Photographers.
As the overall winner, he has been awarded a one-year membership to the SINWP, plus a copy of DxO Nik Collection worth £125.
Howe captured the image with a Canon EOS 7D II DSLR fitted with a Canon EF 600mm f4 II. He used an exposure of1/2500sec at f/4, with ISO 250. Exposure compensation was set of -0.7. S
'Image was taken during the Great Migration in Kenya's Masai Mara Reserve at a crossing point known as the Culp-de-sac', explains Howe. 'The throngs of Wildebeest, Zebra and Topi amass in their thousands creating a super herd on the banks of the Mara River, and they wait, building up their courage, energy, and motivation. It seems as if they will never do it, as if this is too large a barrier for them to cross. One courageous animal makes the first move the first jump. Desperately they pour into the crocodile infested river like lemmings, leaping, bleating, calling a crescendo of adrenaline and instinct'.
Colin Jones The Societies Director says, ‘Andy’s image was chosen as the winner due the great ‘moment in time’ capture with the action being the definitive narrative and brilliantly fitted in with the theme of the competition.'
Second place was awarded Lee McCudden from Outer Hebrides, Scotland, and third place went to Paul Smith from Suffolk, England.
For more information, and to view all highly commended images, visit the SINWP website.
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