Reflections of Nature Gallery of Photo Contest Winners

There is nothing more photogenic than nature. Micro or macro. Bird’s-eye

or worm’s-eye view. Bright noonday sun or inky starlit midnight. Animal, mineral or vegetable. There is always something to shoot. And with digital cameras built into cellular phones, there are more photos being taken than ever. (Worldwide in 2017, people snapped an estimated 1.2 trillion digital images; in 2018 there will be even more.)

Photographers in Canada have been busier too. The Canadian Wilderness Federation has been running this contest for nearly two decades; the number of entries this year, 3,986, is the most ever. The results, representing every region of Canada, are spectacular, as you will see clearly over the next 10 pages.

Naturally, there is more to taking an award-winning shot than being in the right place at the right time. Over the last decade, there has been an increase in awareness of the responsibility of nature photographers to be respectful of all their subjects, be it deer, moss or beetle. As guests in their homes, it is incumbent upon each of us to recognize and respect their boundaries and to leave their habitat unaltered and safe. Take a look at our interview with top nature photographers about what they do to respect and protect their subjects and their habitats.

Nature photography also takes preparation, patience and technical savvy. That’s why in this issue we have interviewed some of the magazine’s top contributing photographers for their tips on getting the best shot. It also helps if you have the right gear, so we had them recommend some of their favourite equipment, both for shooting and for staying warm and dry.