“Nature asks only one thing: respect.” Milko Marchetti wins Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

So, what makes a good comedic wildlife shot? “We want images that capture the public’s imagination and make everyone laugh,” says judge Kate Humble, TV wildlife presenter and Whitley Fund for Nature ambassador. “We want to not only make people think about wildlife, but also see the images do well commercially, which inevitably helps conservation. This year’s winner absolutely epitomises that.”

Show-stopper squirrel

Milko’s photograph of a red squirrel entering an old woodpecker’s nest, with his legs sticking out of the trunk, was taken in April 2022 near his hometown in Bagnacavallo, Ravenna, Italy. Milko was photographing birds at the Po Delta Park – the second largest wetland in Europe – when he came across four squirrels. “I was photographing at 20fps inside a hide, waiting for hours to capture birds, when I spotted these rare red squirrels, and one just appeared to be stuck!” he says. “I shared the photos with friends a few months later who all found it hilarious. I knew then I had to enter!”

The wildlife enthusiast, now into his 30th year of professional photography, whose pictures have been published in multiple magazines and books, and whose portfolio exceeds 1.5 million images, leads nature photography workshops in Italy and around the world. His top advice for aspiring photographers? “Pause for a moment: our life is so fast paced,” he says. “Instead search for smaller moments and isolate detail. Always be eye level (where possible) to the animal – as I was with the squirrel. Having a strong knowledge of animal behaviour and awareness of the surroundings (and never crossing a line so you disturb the animal) are integral for good wildlife photography.

“I want to transmit the same energy and emotion that I experienced in the moment the photograph was taken – the squirrel was funny, yes, but I’d also like people to ask questions, ‘What is this animal? Why does it look stuck?’ Photography must convey emotion.”

As the crowned winner, Milko receives a safari in Maasai Mara, Kenya, at Alex Walker’s Serian camp, a handmade trophy crafted by the Wonder Workshop in Tanzania, a THINK TANK photography bag and a certificate. Accepting his trophy on stage on Tuesday, Milko thanked the natural world, above all: “Nature offers beauty and emotion and ask only one thing in return: respect.”

Hello from Down Under

Kingston Tam, from Australia, scooped the Nikon Young Photographer Award (U25) for his ‘Awkward Smiling Frog’ captured in Queensland (above), taking home the Nikon Z8 and NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S. “Eastern snapping frogs burrow into ground and come out at night and sit there, so you can get quite close,” Kingston explains. “Here, I’m using a 15mm macro lens with the Nikon Z6II – which is fast and excellent in low light – with on-camera flash. I narrowed the aperture so only the eyes are really in focus. I’m now really looking forward to testing out the 45.7MP of the Nikon Z8.”

Congratulations to all

Sarthak Ranganadhan won the Nikon Junior Category (U16) with his ‘Smooching Owlets’ (above) and takes home the new Nikon Z50II and NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR.

Ten-year-old Flynn Thaitanunde-Lobb, from Southampton, is the youngest ever category winner, winning the Portfolio Category with his four images of a rock star squirrel.

And that’s not all! Jose Miguel Gallego Molina won the Insect Award for his charming ‘Mantis Flamenca’; Eberhard Ehmke topped the Reptile Category with his photo of a frog in a bubble; Damyan Petkov’s entry of a tern crash-landing in front of his mate is priceless and took the Bird Category; Przemyslaw Jakubczyk won the Fish and other Aquatic Animals Category with his image of a bald eagle being chased across the sky by a bream; Tapani Linnanmäki was the clear winner of the Affinity Photo 2 People’s Choice Award with his white-tailed eagle entitled ‘Shake, Rattle, Ruffle and Roll’, and the Video Award went to Kevin Lohman (below) for his brilliant clip of a fox doing the zoomies on a cold winter morning.

Ten entries were recognised as Highly Commended Winners: Leslie McLeod, Andy Rouse, Randy Herman, Sanjay Patil, Takashi Kubo, Artur Stankiewicz, Ralph Robinson, Arvind Mohandas, Marti Phillips and Jan Piecha.

The free exhibition runs from 11-15 December 2024, at the gallery@oxo, Oxo Tower Wharf, Barge House Street, London SE1 9PH. Purchase the prints here. 

New entries open in March 2025.