Established in 2018, Earth Photo is a world-leading international programme dedicated to engaging with still and moving image makers working across multiple genres sharing the prescient issues affecting the climate and life on our planet. Its main objective is to reveal the narratives behind the pictures, informing, entertaining and engaging audiences while encouraging conversations about our world, its peoples, environments, and the changing climate.
Earth Photo 2023
Out of over 1,400 entries from photographers and filmmakers around the world, eight outstanding photography and film projects were chosen to receive a range of prizes in the Earth Photo 2023 competition.
This year's winning images can be seen below and with the full shortlist from 2023 on the Earth Photo website.
Exhibitions
A selection of works from the shortlist will be featured in the Earth Photo 2023 exhibition at the Society until 23 August, and on a national tour to Forestry England sites including: Moors Valley Country Park and Forest; Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest; Dalby Forest; Haldon Forest Park and Grizedale Forest. A selection of images and film will also be on display at the Sidney Nolan Trust.
Earth Photo exhibition venues and dates
Earth Photo’s international exhibition partner is Lishui International Photography Festival. Projects selected for the final Earth Photo 2023 Shortlist and our award winners will be considered for an exhibition at the new Lishui Photography Culture Centre, China, co-curated with Lishui International Photography Festival.
2023 winners
Overall winner
The overall winner of Earth Photo 2023 is Michal Siarek for his outstanding photography project documenting the rescue of big cats from Ukraine. Michal’s photo series captures the perilous transport of big cats from war-torn Ukraine to the safety of Poznań Zoo in Poland.
“Shortly after the Russian aggression, I was working as a fixer on the Polish-Ukrainian border” explains Michal. “I overheard a rumour that an evacuation of lions and tigers from Kyiv was coming to the border. These were not zoo specimens but victims of black-market trade, exotic pets left behind in rubble and roaming freely on the frontlines. A hopeless cause, but two women were burning a candle at both ends to save as many as possible.”
Michal Siarek, Korczowa, Korczowa border post.
Michal Siarek, War babies.
Climate of change award
Clare Hewitt, Lumen print oak leaf studies.
Forest ecosystem award
Filippo Ferraro, Wooden diamonds.
Moving image award
Adam Sebire, still from AnthropoScene VIII - Escape velocity.
We the forest award
Liv Milani, Beatriz.
David Wolf Kaye future potential award - film
Jana Bednarova, still from Wireless.
David Wolf Kaye future potential award - photo
Mae Macadam, Retreating glacier.
Sidney Nolan Trust residency prize
Anna Sellen, Meadow study.
See the winning and shortlisted images from previous years on the Earth Photo website.
Earth Photo is run in partnership with: