WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

The 57th edition of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest witnessed a staggering 50,000 entries from 95 countries in 19 categories. Every year, several panelists belonging to different disciplines preside over the judging process.

This year, Vidyun R Hebbar from India was named the Young Grand Title Winner for his image of a tent spider. Along with him, three Indian photographers made it to the Highly Commended list within the different categories of the contest—Hitesh Oberoi, Nayan Khanolkar, and Rakesh Pulapa. Wildlife Photographer of the Year was founded in 1965 by the BBC Wildlife Magazine, then called Animals. In 1984, the Natural History Museum joined forces with the contest to create the competition as it is known today. Together, they have inspired and empowered everyone to make a difference in nature. Here's a look at all the winners.

GRAND TITLE WINNER

UNDERWATER

Laurent Ballesta, France

Creation: This is a photograph of a trio of camouflage groupers exiting their milky cloud of eggs and sperm known as spawning. For five years, my team and I returned to this lagoon, diving day and night to see the annual spawning of camouflage groupers. Often, after dark, we were joined by reef sharks hunting the fish. Spawning happens around the full moon in July, when up to 20,000 fish gather in Fakarava in a narrow southern channel linking the lagoon with the ocean. Overfishing threatens this species, but here the fish are protected within a biosphere reserve.

Nikon D5 with 17–35mm f/2.8 lens; 1/200 sec at f/11; ISO 1600; and Seacam housing Seacam strobes.

WINNER

ANIMALS IN THEIR ENVIRONMENT

Zack Clothier, United States of America