Judges were looking for compelling compositions showing the spirit and behaviour of wildlife around the planet. Macro and close-up photographs of the plants and insects that often go unnoticed were also welcomed in this category.
Finalists
Adalbert Mojrzisch, Germany, Extreme-Macro With Focus-Stacking in High-Magnifications
Brent Stirton, South Africa, Pangolins in Crisis
Masahiro Hiroike, Japan, Himebotaru
Shortlist
Joan de la Malla, Spain, Monkey City
Marko Dimitrijevic, Switzerland, Yukon Survivors
Pierre Anquet, France, Beauty of the Small World
Songda Cai, China Mainland, Underwater Galaxy
Tobias Friedrich, Germany, Below Surface