Environmental Photographer of the Year 2008

CIWEM’s Environmental Photographer of the Year shares images of environmental and social issues with international audiences, enhancing our understanding of the causes, consequences and solutions to climate change. The 2008 categories were Changing Climates; Black & Veatch’s World of Difference; Quality of Life; The Natural World; and Under 21. Entries examined issues such as poverty, climate change, human rights, leisure, culture, biodiversity and natural beauty.

The judging panel consisted of photographers Gary Braasch, Anthony Epes and Ronnie Israel, CIWEM Executive Director Nick Reeves, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, Lord Smith, Richard Ward from OSF and Vicky New from Black & Veatch.

Abhijit Nandi became the Environmental Photographer of the Year after his image, Happy in Her Own World, won the Quality of Life category and was then selected by Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, Lord Smith, as the overall winner.

	Environmental Photographer of the Year Abhijit Nandi’s winning picture Happy in Her Own World, which also won the Quality of Life Category

"Our planet nowadays is in a great danger. Terrorism, war, climate change and irresponsible use of the natural resources are making Earth an unsuitable place for the next generation.

CIWEM’s efforts have moved me so much on this regard, so I am very proud that my picture may be effective in generating awareness about the environment. I am delighted that the judges selected me as the Environmental Photographer of the Year 2008.

My picture reflects the relationships between the environment (Mother Earth) and people; or mother and child. There is also a strong suggestion of the renewal of life, with the cow being connected deeply to the fertility cult in Indian mythology.

I shot this photograph in a remote village called Gourdah in West Bengal. The woman in my picture is returning home from the paddy field after a long day at work. As a farmer’s housewife, she has to manage her home, child and also help her husband in the field. They are very poor. She never thought that a village woman could be the subject of a photograph, so when I told her that I would like to take a picture of her, she just laughed.

The mother and child, the green paddy field and the blue sky after rain fill me happiness, hope and joy.”

Changing Climates

Natural World

Quality of Life

Black and Veatch' s World of Difference

Young Environmental Photographer of the Year (Under 21)

See some of the fantastic media coverage CIWEM’s Environmental Photographer of the Year has received in 2008 -
The Telegraph Competition
The Telegraph Exhibition
The Guardian

Environmental Photographer of the Year 2008 Exhibition

All of the winning and highly commended entries will be included in the Environmental Photographer of the Year Exhibition. For more information, click here

Environmental Photographer of the Year 2007

To see images sponsored by  click here

See News Coverage in The Telegraph and The Times

Environmental Photographer of the Year 2009

Check back here for details on the 2009 competition which will open soon.