We are glad to present the best images of the special nomination “Human Rights and Environment” 2024
Wiki Loves Earth International photo contest again supported the initiative Wiki4HumanRights, in partnership with the Wikimedia Foundation (WMF) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
Its goal is to raise awareness of nature protection and human impacts on nature.
Within the special nomination “Human Rights and Environment”, we accepted images that capture the impact of human activity on the environment from the whole world.
As a result, this year, we received over 11,500+ images in this special nomination, the highest-ever number
After a review by the organizing team and the round of jury evaluation, we have the final results!
Wiki Loves Earth 2024 is happy to present the final results of a new “Video” special nomination!
The wide and beautiful natural heritage can be showcased, and Wikipedia articles can be illustrated not only with images but also with videos. In this special nomination, we accepted videos depicting natural monuments worldwide.
It was an optional special nomination for the local organizers, and this year, we received 8 videos from 4 countries.
Three experienced jurors helped us choose the best videos, and we are ready to present the results!
Congratulations to all the winners for their contributions and time dedicated to picturing the beauty of our planet and spreading awareness about natural heritage sites worldwide!
Share this post and express your excitement in the comments below
The most awaited moment of the international annual photographic competition devoted to natural heritage has come. We are delighted and proud to present the top 20 bestimages of Wiki Loves Earth 2024, traditionally divided into two categories: macro and landscapes!
This year, we had a record number of participating countries and territories, which reached 56.
As a result, we received more than 80,100 submissions from over 3,800 uploaders.
53 countries and territories submitted their local winners and moved to the international level, and we have got 583 local winning images.
Each country has chosen up to 15 local winners in two categories – not more than ten from each of the two categories: landscapes (including individual trees if it’s a nature monument), and macro/close-up (animals, plants, fungi).
This year, 11 experienced photographers, experts, and Wikimedians from all around the world were on the team of the international jury and worked on selecting top-20 international winners. You can read more about the jury team here. We are thankful to each juror for the time and effort in judging all the contest images worldwide, especially because this year, we received the most local winning images ever!
We are excited to announce the top 20 best images in two categories, which present an interesting world of animal & plant species and breathtaking landscapes!
Landscapes 1st place
The category of landscape images opens with a breathtaking view of the Burdur Lake (Ramsar wetland) located within the borders of the Burdur province of Turkey. The photo’s author describes the scene: “The freshwater sources that feed the lake on the shores of the lake, which is negatively affected by global climate change, are drying up day by day, and the dimensions of the drought are increasing day by day. The living spaces of birds and freshwater creatures are shrinking”.
One of the jurors, Magdalena Sobolewska-Bereza, shared: “Very unusual dynamic composition from a bird’s point of view. Artistic and balanced with colors and textures”.
The next landscape image shows the view of the Karynzharyk valley, captured in the Ustyurt nature reserve, Karakiya District, Mangystau Region, Kazakhstan.
The jury team shares their impressions and observations:
Lloyd Ericson Castro Rodriguez:“What an interesting portrait of the Earth! The placement of the rock formations within the frame creates depth without compromising too much of the objects’ sharpness. I am hopeful that the uniqueness of the environment featured in the photo, its high image quality and potential for reusability, and the background details — aligned with the event’s mission, as it was taken in a protected area — will help this entry make its way onto the winners’ list”.
Jan Ainali: “Great use of the diagonal here, in combination with both the detail of the nearby rocks and focus enough to see the strata of the far away ones adds a lot of information about this area. The colors are so well-matched, with the yellow browns matching the muddled blues”.
Magdalena Sobolewska-Bereza: “It refers to classic landscape photos. Very good composition – not easy to obtain in such a special place”.
This image captures a magical view of Yaylalar village with its back to the Kaçkar Mountains, located in the Kaçkar Mountains National Park, near the town Yusufeli in the province of Artvin, Turkey.
Magdalena Sobolewska-Bereza points out: “What I like is the effect of scale. I can imagine the height of the mountain in contrast to this small village in the valley. This silver line of the river is a perfect leading line for the eye”.
Jan Ainali added: “The angle and perspective of this photo are great”.
The stunning gradients of nature were captured at Kyzylkup Table Mountain, located in Kyzylsai Regional Park, Mangystau District, Mangystau Region, Kazakhstan.
Jan Ainali is sharing his thought about this image: “There is something majestic about the composition. The low light also brings out the structure in the surface really well, without tinting the color on the stone too much. I also like that the photo really focuses on the land formation instead of the sky”.
Magdalena Sobolewska-Bereza: “Interesting play of textures, we can see 3D structure of that mountain together with a wide landscape view”.
The next landscape image features the Hürmetçi Reedbed and Erciyes Mountain in Turkey, where this thirsty horse looks so tiny.
Ananya Mondal, one of the jurors, describes: “Very well balanced shot, nice warm colour and the central hourse figure beautifully positioned”.
Magdalena Sobolewska-Bereza added: “Apart from artistic value it’s also informative and can be used to describe agricultural, social and other aspects of that certain region in many Wiki articles”.
A charming frosty view of Lake Fusine in the Conca di Fusine, Alpi Giulie, Italy. The author of the image shares: “The lakes of glacial origin are composed of the lower lake, a pearl surrounded by a dense spruce forest, and the larger upper lake where the mountain chain of the Mount Mangart Group is reflected”.
Jan Ainali shared: “Such deep blues, and in so many shades. The lake balances out the haziness of the clouds, but both contribute to the dynamics that in another way balances out the static mountain range”.
Magdalena Sobolewska-Bereza is highlighting: “Harsh winter landscape with a great sence of depth. Can be used for many purposes”.
Ajeigbe Rukayat: “The glacier formation, the tree, the sea, the light, and the composition are in sync — a beautiful natural Habitat”.
The next image in the landscape category depicts the Madygen State Natural Monument, which is located in the Batken District, Batken Region, Kyrgyzstan.
Ananya Mondal draws attention to: “Unique texture and clear combination, sharpness delineated”.
Jan Ainali added: “The cloudy day here really makes the capturing of the colors of the banded rocks even more impressive”.
Magdalena Sobolewska-Bereza: “Informative and nice shot can be used in many articles. Colours and textures capture viewers attention”.
Lloyd Ericson Castro Rodriguez: “The featured landscape will truly make one appreciate the earth’s many unseen wonders. The presentation of the environment in this photo effectively highlights its textures and dimensions, and its good quality offers excellent reusability potential”.
Magdalena Sobolewska-Bereza is highlighting: “Nice photo with artistic touch. Interesting play of light with fog. For information purposes, it shows inhabited mountainous terrain in unusual way”.
Osama Silwadi added: “Nice balance of using light rays and shadows”.
The next image showcases an important environmental issue — fishing. A fisherman returns to the port at daybreak in Kerkennah, as seen through a fish trap – wide view. The image was made in the Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) Îles Kerkennah, Tunisia.
The first place in the macro category goes to the beautiful image of a Red deer (Cervus elaphus), taken in the National Park of Abruzzo, Latium, and Molise in Italy. The author shared: “After a summer downpour, the mist along the Sangro River created a surreal atmosphere, hiding the alpha male of a deer, who stared at me for a few moments with his noble gaze before disappearing into the mist along the riverbank”.
One of the jurors, Lloyd Ericson Castro Rodriguez, shared about this image: “This is a powerful shot for me. The mist, the deer’s stance, the complementary earth tones within the frame, and even the hanging vine from the deer’s antlers — it’s like a scene straight out of a mystery film. Such a mood works because the Earth is indeed a sphere of beauty and mystery”. Another juror, Susanna Ånäs, is expressing:“Unworldly! All the elements in the image add to the supernatural feel of the image: the water, the wall behind, the mist, as well as the gaze, the contact with the photographer. It seems like an allegory, an image from the subconscious with a hidden meaning.”.
The photo of an Eurasian hoopoe (Upupa epops) was taken in the protected landscape area of Pálava, which is located in South Moravia in the Czech Republic. The author of the image shares: “ThepictureshowstheDudekchocholatý(Hoopoe).Inthephoto,wecanseethearrivalofthismajesticbirdandthesymbolofSouthMoravia,whichiscritically endangered here. That’s why I decided to save it, and I try to make suitable nesting boxes all year round so that the population here is as numerous as it was many years ago.”
Some feedback from the jury team:
Jan Ainali: “This is such a well-timed capture. Good focus that allows us to see the interaction of the feeding behavior and the nest. Not only full of action but educational too”.
Magdalena Sobolewska-Bereza: “Probably the best frame from that series of photos. Ideal moment with ideal sharpness on both birds. Good for illustrating many aspects of their life: hunting, feeding, nesting, etc.”.
Lloyd Ericson Castro Rodriguez: “It’s a well-composed shot to me. The colors are complementary, and the popping head of the hungry baby bird adds a little more substance to the story”.
Susanna Ånäs shares her impression: “I cannot help but make a connection between these “praying mantis” and the “dancing pallbearers” in West Africa! The image is crisp and controlled and seems to have been taken in a natural setting. +1 for the humor”.
Lloyd Ericson Castro Rodriguez added: “One of my favorite shots. The colors are complementary, the bokeh isn’t distracting, and I can’t help but hum The Pink Panther theme song as I fix my gaze on the mantis’ seemingly striding movements”.
Magdalena Sobolewska-Bereza: “Ideal! A magic moment in the insect world”.
Jan Ainali: “This is almost too good to be true, lined up on a straw like this in good lighting. Excellent!”.
A wonderful moment of pheasant-tailed jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus) flying to its partner to keep their existence among the future generations, taken in Altadighi National Park, Bangladesh. The author of this image shared: “Theyarelosingtheirhabitatduetohumanaggression. Theysometimescometothe localityforbreeding, and most of the time, they fail, but I took care of this couple until the baby grew up.”
Lloyd Ericson Castro Rodriguez marks: “I love many aspects of this shot: the color palette reinforces the composition, the sharpness of the details is just right and complements the bokeh effect, and the contrasting motion between the two birds is beautifully captured, adding levels to the image. It is indeed a well-structured shot”. Magdalena Sobolewska-Bereza accents:“A dynamic and unique situation captured in a unique way”.
Lloyd Ericson Castro Rodriguez shares the impression:“This is a subtle yet powerful shot for me. The composition is simple and clean but well-structured. If the bee on the right had sharper details in its body, the image would appear even more seamless”.
7th place
A baby Mediterranean Common chamaeleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon)holds a morning glory in the next macro-winning image, taken in the Kapıçam Nature Park in Turkey.
Jan Ainali points out: “The colors and the lighting on this chameleon are wonderful. Especially the highlights from the backlights, without being blown out or causing too much shadow are fantastic. Well done! And I also love the slightly skeptical look on the face”.
Magdalena Sobolewska-Bereza describes: “Central composition with backlight focuses attention on the main topic. Strong contrast between the surface of smooth flower petals and richly shaped reptile’s skin. I really like it!”.
Ajeigbe Rukayat added: “Beautiful capture, the composition complement each other”.
This image shows a cute spotted deer, also known as Chital (Axis axis) jumping across lump drops at Bardiya National Park in Nepal.
Magdalena Sobolewska-Bereza draws attention to: “Perfect to show the connection between a deer and its ecosystem. It’s very informative for me, useful for Wiki purposes”.
Jan Ainali marks: “Good capture and even the stretches of the dots shows the motion the deer is in. Nice harmony of colors and show of the natural habitat”.
Photo by Dasrath Shrestha Beejukchhen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
9th place
This interesting moment of flying lineated barbet (Psilopogon lineatus) was captured at the National Botanical Garden, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The author describes his image: “Lineated Barbet, a beautiful green bird usually excavates cavities for nesting in trees and lays 2-4 eggs in the breeding season. Once the eggs hatch, the chicks are fed by both parents, who regurgitate a mixture of fruits and insects into the nest hole”.
The jury team accents: Susanna Ånäs: “Encyclopedic because it depicts clearly the movement of the bird! Joyful colors”.
Magdalena Sobolewska-Bereza: “What I really like is a balance between stable and moving birds; technically, it’s not easy to get the sharp bird in the background with moving one in the front. For me, it’s worth attention”.
Ananya Mondal: “Nice use of slow shutter adding life to the picture”.
Elena-Tatiana Chiș: “Great shoot and hard to catch”.
Lloyd Ericson Castro Rodriguez: “The photographer took an artistic approach but retained its educational potential, as the setup still reflects natural aspects of the birds’ habitat and environment”.
Osama Silwadi: “Great use of the shutter speed, with sharp other elements of the picture , lovely one”.
Ananya Mondal shares: “Wonderous action peeked with beautiful warm background”.
Magdalena Sobolewska-Bereza added: “Perfect moment captured with ideal depth of focus exactly on a bird’s body and water drops. Contrast of colours creates an artistic mode”.
Congratulations to all the winners for their contributions and time dedicated to picturing the beauty of our planet and spreading awareness about natural heritage sites worldwide!
🏆We will organise the WikiLovesEarth2024Award Ceremony to celebrate this year’s winnings. When and where? 19th December, at 14 UTC in Zoom. Check the time with your local timezone here.
If you want to participate, please register by filling out this short form, and we will send you the invitation.
If you want to know more about this year’s winners and the detailed methodology of how we picked them, look for the full jury report, which will be published and available on Wikimedia Commons soon.
Follow the contest on our channels to keep up with updates:
▪️ An image from Turkey, captured by Mehmet Karaca, secured 3rd place in the “Picture of the Year 2023” contest. This stunning photograph also won 1st place in the macro category of the international WLE 2022 contest.
▪️ Four images from Ukraine, taken by Mykhailo Petskovych and user Byrdyak, placed 8th, 9th, 13th, and 32nd. One of these images is the international winner, achieving 20th place in the landscapes category in 2023.
▪️ From Nepal, two pictures by Prasan Shrestha and Dasrath Shrestha Beejukchhen (Bablu) earned 12th and 21st places, with one of them winning 10th place in the macro category internationally in 2023.
▪️ Four Brazilian images by Thomas Fuhrmann, Julius Dadalti, and Leonardo Merçon ranked 15th, 17th, 31st, and 40th.
▪️ A single German image by Matthias Süßen took 30th place.
▪️ One photo from Greece, contributed by user Argiriskaramouzas, placed 40th.
▪️ An Italian photo by Roberto Strafella rounded out the results in 50th place.
Congratulations and thank you for contributing with your wonderful images to the Wikimedia Commons!👏
The evaluation period has already started, and in one month, we are going to announce the winners!
Meet a great team of 11 experienced Wikimedians and professional photographers that is looking carefully into each picture and helping us to choose the top images for this year’s competition.
Read this post and get to know each of the jurors!
With an exceptional eye for detail and a deep appreciation for the intricate beauty of the natural world, from the intricate patterns on insect wings to the subtle textures of plant life, nature photographs can capture and showcase all of this.
“My goal is to create an emotional relationship with my images and with the person who looks at these images. Macro photography inspires me to stop and make the invisible natural life visually visible.”– says Mikael Lundgren.
Let’s dive into the creative process, explore the inspirations, and learn more about how to bring nature wonders to life through the lens!
Mikael Lundgren is a professional Swedish nature photographer.
His image won second place in the local Swedish contest, and third place in the macro category in the International part of the Wiki Loves Earth photo contest in 2023.
Author of the photo: Mikael Lundgren, CC BY-SA 4.0
How long is your journey as a photographer? Do you remember your first steps in professional photography and what inspired you to get started? “I started photographing when I was 14-15 years old and have been photographing continuously for about 30 years. What inspired me with photography was being able to make visual stories, photographing landscapes, flora, and fauna of the environment around me and showing it to my friends.”
What type of photography do you specialize in? What is your photographic style?
“My goal is to create an emotional relationship with my images and with the person who looks at these images. So, my style and what I strive for is that my composition should, at the same time, ‘look back’ at the one who sees my pictures. My goal is that a contact is created between what is in the picture and the viewer. This applies to both my landscape photos and close-ups of plants and wildlife. When I take wedding photos, I work in the same way with the relationship between the composition and those who look at these photos.”
What kind of equipment do you use? Can you explain your choice of camera, lenses, and other gear?
“I use full-frame cameras and a variety of lenses that suit what I’m shooting. This means that I use all types of lenses, such as macro lenses, zoom lenses, and telephoto lenses. For macro photography, I regularly use different flashes that provide good lighting conditions. The lenses help me find the right relationship to what I want to photograph and create a closeness between my compositions and those who will see my photos. My full-frame cameras give me good opportunities for good resolution of my photos and image editing.”
What software do you use for post-processing and editing? Can you describe your editing workflow?
“I mainly use Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop for image editing. When editing, I first check that the photo I’m looking at has some kind of instinctive contact with me, that my eyes are caught immediately. Then I focus on bringing out the thing in the image that created my interest. The image editing is mainly for me to enhance the first feeling I get from the image so that the photo becomes more like its own story to me as a spectator. It can be about increasing certain details with sharpness, enhancing details in light, or softening to the bokeh that is in the background.”
Author of the photo: Mikael Lundgren, CC BY-SA 4.0
Your works picture breathtaking and different parts of nature, especially in macro format. What do you love the most about nature?
“I love nature’s own pulse and wilderness where the human footprint is as small as possible. Walking in nature with my camera is like walking on a journey of discovery with different eyes than those used in an urban environment. Being able to look into the micro life of nature with a macro lens is also a way to get an insight into the life that is often invisible to our everyday life. Macro photography inspires me to stop and make the invisible natural life visually visible.”
How do you usually choose the locations? What was your favorite one?
“I usually choose to go to places in my immediate environment, which are no more than 30 kilometers from my home. Near my home, there are a number of nature reserves. I also live in a Biosphere Reserve designated by Unesco. I like to photograph both in primeval forests, by larger lakes, in meadows, or on the nearby plateau mountain. My favorite place is to go to the plateau mountain Kinnekulle early in the morning at dawn when the first rays of the sun give a soft and nice light.”
What was your experience in picturing the protected areas? Is this term somehow changing the photography conditions? What do you advise starting from when picturing the protected areas?
“In Sweden, accessibility to nature reserves and biosphere areas is quite good. Photographing in Nature Reserves or Biosphere Reserves gives me good opportunities to create photos with exciting biodiversity and visual storytelling. This applies to both landscape motifs and macro compositions. My first advice to other photographers is to first get to know the characteristics of the nature reserve or biosphere area that you want to photograph. This applies to both plant and animal life. My second piece of advice is to dare to photograph a variety of times and seasons in these areas. It can provide exciting and unexpected opportunities for good photos. My third piece of advice is to give time to experience the nature you are photographing; how does it affect you? Is it possible to compose the image from this experience at the time of photography?”
Author of the photo: Mikael Lundgren, CC BY-SA 4.0
How do you prepare for a photography session or project in general?
“I usually prepare by deciding which main subject is in focus and thus determine the choice of time and place for the photography. If it is macro photography, I make sure to pack the appropriate camera and macro lens. I also always bring an extra camera and other lenses for other subjects that may come up. It is always important to have knowledge of the weather forecast before shooting. It determines whether flashes are needed or how the handling of the day’s natural light will be. I also make sure that I myself have good opportunities to pass a photo shoot. This means that, before a photo shoot, I have been able to leave stress and other negative moods in order to enjoy solely focusing on photography.”
How do you handle challenging situations or unexpected issues during a shoot if such happen?
“I use my long photography experience to deal with unforeseen events during a photo shoot. It is often a matter of having the right cameras and lenses with me, as a different lens is almost always needed than the one I primarily planned to use. It could be that the weather is not what I thought, which means that I have to use a more light-sensitive lens or macro flash. I always plan ahead for a photo opportunity to cover as many contingencies as possible. It can be about being able to quickly take a photo of an animal that suddenly appears in front of me. Then it is necessary to already have a camera and lens in place to be able to take that picture. It happens at almost every photo opportunity.”
How do you continue to develop and refine your skills as a photographer?
“The main thing that makes me develop as a photographer is to dare to challenge myself in finding new subjects and visiting places I have not been to before. It also applies that I dare to be out in places in different seasons and at times of the day, which affects the composition and the photography itself in a marked way. I also now photograph how urban environments affect people and animals, which creates other forms of compositions.”
Author of the photo: Mikael Lundgren, CC BY-SA 4.0
How did you first get involved in the Wiki Loves Earth International photo contest devoted to picturing natural heritage?
“I saw on the web information about Wiki Loves Earth and thought it might be fun to submit a number of photos as I often photograph in nearby Nature Reserves and Biosphere Reserves.”
The previous year, in 2023, your image took a winning place in the main nomination in the local Swedish and the International Wiki Loves Earth competition. Did you aim to win, and what was your reaction?
“I sent in my photos in the hope that these would attract interest and maybe have a chance to be among those that Sweden chose to include in the international part of the competition. When I found out that I had both won in Sweden and also entered the international competition, I was very happy. Then also winning a prize in the international competition was really gratifying and inspiring for my photography.”
Many people said that it was the cutest image of that year’s contest! What was the hardest part about photographing the deer? Did you catch “the right moment”? Do you have an interesting story behind this beautiful image?
“The most difficult part of taking this photo of the Roebuck was waiting for the exact millisecond where the Roebuck was in the right position with its head facing me. Dare to wait for the right moment. When I took this picture, I really felt that I had got it just right and that I had, at the same time, had a spiritual experience of “looking into” the world of Råbocken. I had seen this Roebuck before for a few weeks and thought about its different horns and the damage that was on one ear. What has Råbocken experienced recently? What battles and events had he experienced? Being able to get this photo with this particular composition and background in a millisecond is one of the finest moments I’ve had behind a camera.”
Author of the photo: Mikael Lundgren, CC BY-SA 4.0
Do you plan to take part in the contest again?
“Yes. I will continue to take photos and send them to this competition.”
What would you advise someone who doesn’t have professional photography equipment? How can you take a good picture even on a mobile phone?
“I think the most important thing you need to take a good photo is that the person behind the mobile phone/camera has an interest in the subject that is created in a photo. A good photo for me is a composition that gives me, as a spectator, the opportunity to fantasize and feel something about the image. So if you as a photographer have a thought, feeling, or experience about your photo, often someone who looks at the photo can get it too. Then, I think it is important that you, the photographer, can handle the light that is present when you take the photo. How can you handle this light? The more you shoot with a mobile/camera, the more you learn to handle this light. So photograph as much as you can with the mobile phone and learn how it works and what you yourself like to photograph.”
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to become a professional photographer?
“Have the courage to show your photos publicly and to your friends. If you have the opportunity, try to create your own photo exhibitions on-premises or on the web. Then you will both hear what others think of your photographs but also get a chance to be discovered and seen. This can lead to you getting the first requests to be a photographer on various occasions. Make sure that even then, you start receiving compensation for the photos you start selling. As a professional photographer, it is important to start getting paid for the work you do if it is to become your main income.”
Author of the photo: Mikael Lundgren, CC BY-SA 4.0
What influences or inspires your work?
“I like to look at other photographers’ photographs. Ansel Adams, American photographer and Henri Cartier-Bresson, French photographer. They have inspired me with their soulful black and white photographs to try creating black and white photos. Kirsty Mitchell, an English art photographer with her fabulous photographs, is another living photographer that I like a lot. She composes images that show fairytale-like people in fantastically constructed environments. In my everyday life as a photographer, I am inspired by nature’s four seasons and how nature changes month by month. It always creates new motifs, animals, and plant life.”
What’s the most rewarding part of being a professional photographer for you?
“Being able to use a lot of my time doing what I love to do, creating visual stories for myself and for others to experience.”
Can you share some of your favorite projects that you are proud of or photographs you’ve taken? What makes them special to you?
“One of my most exciting projects was to create large-format photographs based on local people’s stories about which places in their local environment they like the most. The result was 12 different photographs in a 2×3 meter format, which were exhibited in a room centrally located in this village. The exhibition became very popular, and villagers came to the venue to experience and talk about these 12 favorite places in the village. Another photo project was to compose 12 photographs for a Swedish music artist’s new record album and its 12 songs. This photo exhibition then followed the music artist’s various concerts around Sweden for a year. Both of these projects had clear motives and a soulful connection to those who visited these photo exhibitions.”
Author of the photo: Mikael Lundgren, CC BY-SA 4.0
If you organise one of the Wikimedia photo contests (such as Wiki Loves Earth, Wiki Loves Monuments , etc.) or are interested in licences and copyright, we welcome you to attend our upcoming event!
Webinar “Licences and Copyright in Wikimedia photo contests” will be held on October 25th at 14:00 CET online in Zoom.
Antanana, a Ukrainian Wikipedian and administrator, will talk about important components in organising your local Wikimedia photo contest (s): licences and copyrights in the process of showcasing your local winning (and not only) images.