Introduction

Each year the Natural History Museum in London and BBC Worldwide organise the ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition’. Regarded as the international leader in innovative visual representation of the natural world, the prestigious competition stimulates engagement with the diversity and beauty of the nature, and provides a showcase of the very best nature photography to thrill people around the globe.

The 'Wildlife Photographer of the Year' exhibition features a hundred winning pictures of the Competition of 2012. These pictures are chosen from over 48,000 striking and memorable images taken by amateur and professional photographers from 98 countries. They are chosen above all for their aesthetic qualities - but also for their extraordinary, often technically amazing and sometimes shocking reflections of events in nature. Of particular interest to most visitors are photo captions that describe the subjects and the backgrounds in which the photographs are captured.

The exhibition is displayed through duratrans. The backlit images add an outstanding cinematic dimension to the dramatic wildlife stills, showcasing a photographic collection that celebrates the beauty and magnificence of the world in which we live, as well as acting as a stark reminder of the fragility of nature.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year is co-owned by the Natural History Museum and BBC Worldwide.