Evocative Wildlife Photo Contest Winners

Thank you to all the photographers that shared their best wild animal photos that evoke viewers' emotions in the Evocative Wildlife Photo Contest with chances to win the "Safari Bundle" including a Tamron AF 18-200mm Lens, a Red Rock Outdoor Gear Sidekick Sling Bag and more!

"Evocative Wildlife--Share your best wild animal photographs" was the theme for this contest and I was impressed by the high number of extraordinary images submitted. Choosing a winner was a wonderful challenge, but it ultimately came down to identifying the best expression of photography (considering subject choice, creativity, composition, technical skill, and processing) that adhered most closely to the theme. I specifically sought images of wild animals that strongly evoked viewers' emotions." - Lisa Langell

A special thanks to friend and professional photographer Lisa Langell for her collaboration as a guest judge. Lisa Langell is a multi-award-winning wildlife photographer with an international following. She is known for her signature wildlife images that artfully capture breathtaking, split-second moments. Her images evoke both a visual and emotional connection for the viewer, offering not just a photograph—but an intimate experience with nature. Lisa’s artwork has earned recognition and awards from the National Wildlife Federation, North American Nature Photographer’s Association, Professional Photographer’s Association, Arizona Highways, and more.

Congratulations Grand Jury Winner "Kicking up dust L8B_1511" by Brenda13

""Kicking up the Dust" is the perfect match for this contest. The photographer successfully captured wildebeest in migration in a beautiful and evocative way. Though many photographers have previously captured this event beautifully, I loved how this particular image stood out. The photographer was in a seemingly unusual position--right along the shoreline, which is difficult to achieve. Many images captured of the wildebeest migration are captured from across the shore or further uphill, not near the water's edge. I loved the unique perspective. The lighting, contrast and tones, softened by the dust, are perfect. Compositionally, I love the diagonal line from lower left at the main subject, sweeping up toward the right as it travels across the herd. All of these things are challenging for any photographer to achieve in mid-day light with quickly evolving and moving subject matter.

The leaping wildebeest in the lower left appears to be working to avoid the churning crocodiles that I believe are below it. The pressure on the herd to move forward -- never hesitating at the water's edge, despite how scary it must be for these animals to cross a predator-filled river--is utterly palpable in this split-second moment in time. The thick dust and compression from her 600mm lens artfully fades the faces of the herds of wildebeest as my eye travels further back into the image, revealing just the essence of the infinite numbers of animals that are queuing to cross--and who will trample those before them if everyone does not swiftly move forward. The image evoked, for me, the sense that there is no time to attend to fears here. Life and death are both a matter of split-second timing. So are winning images. This photographer has an excellent sense of composition, timing, and how to capture evocative emotion in-the-wild beautifully. For these reasons, this image deserved to win. " - Lisa Langell

Congratulations Runner Up "_F0O5702r16x9 275 dpi signed large" by frankiej7

"I fell in love with the intensity of this red fox' eyes and posture. The unique blend of emotions the fox appeared to express through his stance and stare were ones of intimidation, caution, and curiosity. It evoked the same emotions in me as I took in this wonderful image. The composition, processing, choice of aspect ratio (16x9) and exposure were superb. It is unusual to see a fox with this coloring and posture as well. I believe this image was captured in the wild and thus likely required patience and tenacity to photograph it so beautifully. It's a remarkable image unlike any other caniform images I have seen to date. " - Lisa Langell

Congratulations Runner Up "SNUG" by ScottELB

"The composition of this image struck me immediately. A perfect choice of placement of the subject and the story unfolds simply through my mind "filling in" that the surrounding fur is of its mother. Composing the shot in this way was a very smart choice. I also loved the expression in the eyes of the monkey -- peeking out with what appears to be literal wide-eyed curiosity, trepidation, and wonderment to see the new world he finds himself in. I love how the photographer chose this pose as the decisive moment. Hands are such strong archetypes in images and the baby's little hand grasping on to the security of its mother evokes beautiful emotion and messaging to the story that the photographer artfully captured. It also added a lovely diagonal line, connecting with the mouth and up into the jawline and ear, enhancing the composition further. This image deserved a high placement among many in this contest." - Lisa Langell

Congratulations Amateur Winner "Long-eared owl" by clareefish