IPF Nature Photographer of the Year 2017

The national finals of the IPF Nature Photographer of the Year Competition 2016/2017 took place on Sunday February 19th 2017 at the D Hotel, Drogheda.

We are delighted to announce the overall winner of the 2016/2017 competition as Ita Martin from Malahide Camera Club for her beautiful capture of ‘Wild Stoat’. Many congratulations Ita!

Speaking about her winning images, Ita said:

“This image was taken in a forest in the Dumfries and Galloway area of Scotland in February 2016, during a trip to photograph birds with my friend Katy. We were waiting patiently for hours to get a shot of a Sparrowhawk or perhaps a Buzzard when I noticed some movement in the grasses nearby and I thought it might have been a squirrel, I thought if we were lucky it might be a Red squirrel so you can imagine our excitement when up popped this Stoat onto a log giving us an amazing opportunity to get shots like this one. Needless to say, it didn’t stay very long. The camera used was a Nikon 750 with a 300prime F4 lens -The settings were F4.5 1/650 sec ISO800
Iam so thrilled to receive this Prize of the IPF Nature Photographer of the Year 2017 and I want to thank all my family for putting up with my photography obsession, and to every member of our Camera club – without their encouragement and support I wouldn’t be getting this – too many to mention by name – Malahide the best camera club in the country.

I also wish to thank all the background volunteers for without them this competition couldn’t be run and of course the 3 judges on the day Gwen Charnock, Mike Durham and Rikki O Neill.”

Speaking about the event, Michael O’Sullivan FIPF FRPS, IPF President said:

“This year saw one of our most successful events ever. I was delighted to see a record attendance at the public judging, which speaks volumes about the appetite in Ireland for this type of photography. The technical skill and knowledge of subject matter apparent in the imagery on display was amazing, and the winners must be congratulated for achieving such stellar standards. Congratulations to Ita Martin the overall winner of the Nature Photographer of the Year for her amazing capture of the “Wild Stoat”. Images like this do not just happen, they require patience, to be at the right place at the right time and to have the photographic skill to make the photograph come alive.”

As usual, it takes a massive amount of time and effort from many to make this competition what it is. Our thanks to:

The judges – Rikki O’Neill, Gwen Charnock and Mick Durham
IPF NPOTY Competition Co-Ordinator Frank Condra
Ground staff – We had helpers on the day from so many clubs around the country this year and with so many we are bound to leave someone out – so instead a heartfelt thanks to all for creating a lovely atmosphere!
Technical support – Niamh Whitty/Jason Town
Staff at the D Hotel
Everyone who entered and attended

We are delighted to now share with you the winning images below and pictures from the awards ceremony.

Individual report cards will be received by each competitor.

The list of images from this competition which are credited as Irish qualifiers for those pursuing AFIAP distinctions (note, these are not Irish acceptances) are will be added to this article shortly (top 35% in each section).