It’s time to reveal the winner of The Ethicalist’s 2024 UAE Nature Photography Competition!
We were amazed by the 400 stunning submissions we received, that all captured the beauty of the UAE. From aerial landscape shots of the country’s stunning deserts, flamingos standing in the rain, to the lush hues of Abu Dhabi’s mangroves, all the photos truly showcased the diverse talent of our community and the breathtaking landscapes and wildlife of the UAE.
Our judge, top photographer Dawn-Marie Jones, who has shot both covers of The Ethicalist’s print editions and worked for Vogue and Harpers Bazaar UK among others, had a hard task sifting through all the incredible entries alongside founder and photography enthusiast, Anthea Ayache.
It was challenging but the pair were ultimately able to crown a winner, choosing two highly commended images, and selecting a top 10.
A huge congratulations to our winner whose foraging fox photo perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the photography competition juxtaposing wildlife and human-animal challenges.
Well done also to our two highly commended entries that also simply blew us away!
Thank you to everyone who participated and shared their unique visions of the UAE’s wilderness. By celebrating our country’s stunning nature through this photography competition, we hope to remind everyone why it’s so important to cherish and protect our planet.
Enjoy browsing through our top 10 entries showcasing the beauty and diversity of the country we call home.
No.10 Rino Suren’s Snoopy Island
You can see more of his work @rinosuren
No.9 Mark Anthony Agtay’s Liwa Desert
You can see more of his work @thebrightpixels
No.8 Mohamed Khair’s Flamingos at Al Qudra
You can see more of his work @khair.art_wildlife
No.7 Sharmila’s Purple Sunbird
You can see more of her work @sharmila_photography
No.6 Rahul Bansal’s Desert Fox
You can see more of his work @rahul.bansal91
No.5 Ralph Emerson de Peralta’s Reem Island Mangroves
You can see more of his work @ralphemerson_deperalta
No.4 Amri Arfianto’s Great Egret in Ras al Khaimah
You can see more of his work @amri_arfianto
No.3 Highly Commended: The Dance of Dominance
This beautiful photo by last year’s winner Iwona Cwian of two Oryx with their horns entangled offers a fascinating glimpse into the natural social behaviours of these native species, who engage in sparring matches to assert dominance or establish territory. This striking photo showcases the fascinating world of animal communication, making it a standout choice for the competition.
You can see more of her work @iwona_cwian
No.2 Highly Commended: Vipin Sharma’s The Art of Concealment
This remarkable photograph by Vipin Sharma highlights the incredible adaptation of the Arabian horned viper as a master of camouflage. We were very impressed by his ability to capture this snake blending seamlessly into the sandy Um Al Quwain desert.
You can see more of his work @vipin5725
No.1 The Ethicalist’s UAE Nature Photo Competition Winner: Biju Augustine’s Foraging Fox
We absolutely loved this captivating photo by Biju Augustine which captures a fox chewing a discarded yogurt drink on Sharjah’s Hamriyah beach. This pciture showcases the UAE’s wildlife while underscoring the challenges of human-animal coexistence in shared environments.
You can see more of his work @biju_augstine
