53rd Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Friday 19 January to Sunday 29 April 2018
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh

#WPY53

The world-renowned Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, will return to Edinburgh in the new year, opening at the National Museum of Scotland on Friday 19 January 2018.

Taking over the Museum’s largest exhibition gallery for the first time, this will be the only Scottish venue for the exhibition. The 100 extraordinary images celebrate the diversity of the natural world, from intimate animal portraits to astonishing wild landscapes.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the most prestigious photography event of its kind, providing a global platform that showcases the natural world’s most astonishing and challenging sights for over 50 years.

Winning images are selected for their creativity, originality and technical excellence. Launching in 1965 and attracting 361 entries, today the competition receives almost 50,000 entries from 92 countries highlighting its enduring appeal. This year’s 100 award-winning images will embark on an international tour that allows them to be seen by millions of people.

The exhibition features acclaimed photographs displayed on large-format, backlit panels, as they are at the Natural History Museum’s own exhibition showing. Visitors can learn how the photographers captured their shots, and come face-to-face with some of nature’s most astonishing and challenging sights.

Dr Nick Fraser, Keeper of Natural Sciences at National Museums Scotland, said:

“We are thrilled that the National Museum of Scotland will host the 53^rd Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, from the Natural History Museum in London. These captivating images offer visitors new perspectives on the wonders of the natural world, and are as arresting as they are beautiful.”

Sir Michael Dixon, Director of the Natural History Museum, said:

“Wildlife Photographer of the Year is one of our most successful touring exhibitions, enjoyed by millions of people all over the world. The awarded images shine a spotlight on nature photography as a work of art, whilst raising questions about our crucial role in shaping a sustainable future.”

Wildlife Photographer of the Year at the National Museum of Scotland is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Clara Govier, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery said:

“We are delighted that the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Depicting everything from spectacular underwater worlds and unusual animal behaviours to breath-taking landscapes and images which examine our own impact on the natural world, this world-class exhibition has something for everyone.”

Admission: £8 adults, £6 concession. Entry is free to National Museums Scotland Members and children under 16.

For further information and images please contact Alice Wyllie, Press Office, National Museums Scotland, tel 0131 247 4288, a.wyllie@nms.ac.uk

Notes to Editors

1. National Museums Scotland is one of the leading museum groups in the UK and Europe and it looks after collections of national and international importance. The organisation provides loans, partnerships, research and training in Scotland and internationally. Our individual museums are the National Museum of Scotland, the National Museum of Flight, the National Museum of Rural Life and the National War Museum. The National Museums Collection Centre in Edinburgh houses conservation and research facilities as well as collections not currently on display.
2. The National Museum of Scotland reopened in summer 2011 following a three-year, £50m redevelopment. With nearly 9 million visitors since reopening, the National Museum of Scotland is the most popular museum in the country outside of London (source: Association of Leading Visitor Attractions). The National Museum of Scotland was awarded ‘Gold’ Level Green Tourism Visitor Attraction status in 2016. 
3. The acclaimed Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition showcases Earth's most extraordinary and revelatory sights, reflecting nature's beauty and diversity and highlighting the fragility of wildlife on our planet. The competition is open to photographers of all ages and abilities, and opens for entries on an annual basis. http://www.wildlifephotographeroftheyear.com/ The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition is owned and developed by the Natural History Museum. 
4. The Natural History Museum exists to inspire a love of the natural world and unlock answers to the big issues facing humanity and the planet . More than five million people visit the sites in South Kensington and Tring every year, and the website receives over 500,000 unique visitors a month. It is a world-leading science research centre, and through its unique collection and unrivalled expertise it is tackling issues such as food security, eradicating diseases and managing resource scarcity. www.nhm.ac.uk
5. Wildlife Photographer of the Year Portfolio 27, edited by Rosamund Kidman-Cox, is published by the Natural History Museum. Natural History Museum Publishing produces high-quality, fully illustrated non-fiction books about the natural world. To view the entire range of books, visit www.nhm.ac.uk/business-centre/publishing.  
6. Wildlife Photographer of the Year at the National Museum of Scotland is supported by players of the People’s Postcode lottery. About People’s Postcode Lottery: 
   • People’s Postcode Lottery is a charity lottery. Players play with their postcodes to win cash prizes, while raising money for charities and good causes across Great Britain and globally
   • A minimum of 31% goes directly to charities and players have raised £237.8 million for good causes across the country£10 for 10 draws paid monthly in advance with prizes every day. For further prize information visit: www.postcodelottery.co.uk/prizes
   • Maximum amount a single ticket can win is 10% of the draw revenue to a maximum of £400,000Players can sign up by Direct Debit, credit card or PayPal online at http://www.postcodelottery.co.uk/, or by calling 0808 10-9-8-7-6-5
   • Postcode Lottery Limited is regulated by the Gambling Commission under licences number: 000-000829-N-102511-014 and Number: 000-000829-R-102513-013. Registered office: Titchfield House, 69/85 Tabernacle Street, London, EC2A 4RR
   • People's Postcode Lottery manages multiple society lotteries promoted by different charities. For details on which society lottery is running each week, visit www.postcodelottery.co.uk/society 
7. Bheireadh Oifis nam Meadhanan eadar-theangachadh Gàidhlig den bhrath-naidheachd seachad do bhuidhinn mheadhanan bharantaichte. Cuiribh fios do dh'Oifis nam Meadhanan airson bruidhinn air cinn-latha freagarrach.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London.

Venue sponsor

Header image: 'The insiders' by Qing Lin, China. Detail © Qing Lin.