2022 Environmental Photographer Of The Year Competition Winners

Environmental Photographer of the Year: The Bitter Death of Birds, Mehdi Mohebi Pour, 2021

Nikon, CIWEM, WaterBear, and Arup, are pleased to announce the winners of the 2022 Environmental Photographer of the Year competition. Now in its 15th year, the competition showcases some of the world’s most inspirational environmental photography, providing an international platform to raise awareness for the issues that put our planet at risk.

Photographer, Mehdi Mohebi Pour, has been awarded the highly coveted prize of Environmental Photographer of the Year, for his powerful image titled ‘The Bitter Death of Birds’ (2021). The photograph depicts just three of the thousands of birds that died in the Miankaleh Lagoon (Iran) due to a lack of water and contamination, and the efforts of environmental workers to collect the bodies to prevent the spread of disease. The winning photograph was chosen for its surreal portrayal of the circular nature of life between humans and wildlife.

Mehdi Mohebi Pour says: “It means the world to have won this prestigious award, as photographing the climate and showcasing the damage being caused is my biggest priority in life. I want people around the world to know about the sad event of the death of the birds in Iran, as if we do not reconsider our lifestyle and take care of the planet, this will soon happen in other countries.”

The competition also celebrates the photographers of the future. 16-year-old Fayz Khan won the Young Environmental Photographer of the Year award, for his captivating image, ‘Beautiful but Hostile Colours on Earth’ (2022). The photograph shows lesser flamingos flying over Lake Magadi and Lake Natron in Kenya, bodies of water which they feed off, but are severely alkaline and toxic to most other forms of plant and animal life. The photo has been praised for being classical and well-composed, whilst also highlighting the untold effects of the climate crisis in the Rift Valley.

Stefan Maier, General Manager Marketing, Nikon Europe: “We are thrilled that Fayz Kahn has been selected as the recipient of the 2022 Young Environmental Winner of the Year award. Nikon has been behind some of the most important stories told through photography over the last century, and we’re delighted to support such a young talent as he contributes to the impact photography will continue to have in the future and hones his photography skills.”

This year an international jury panel, including Nikon Ambassador and activist, Roie Galitz and environmental and human-rights photographer, Matilde Gattoni received entries from over 120 territories around the world. Entrants ranged from amateur to professional photographers of all ages, from seven to ninety years old. This year’s competition also introduced an ethics panel to improve accountability and transparency in photo selection. Following a thorough screening process, the panel reviewed photos that raised any ethical concerns and where necessary, requested additional information from photographers to help them make an informed decision.

The full list of the winning photographs and winners of this year's competition are:

• Environmental Photographerb of the Year: The Bitter Death of Birds, Mehdi Mohebi Pour, 2021
• Young Environmental Photographer of the Year - Nikon Award: Beautiful but Hostile Colours on Earth, Fayz Khan, 2022
• Vision of the Future: Vertical Farming, Arie Basuki, 2022
• Recovering Nature: Naturalia: Chronicle Of Contemporary Ruins, Jonathan "Jonk" Jimenez, 2021
• Keeping 1.5 Alive: Chemical Explosion, Subrata Dey, 2022
• Adapting for Tomorrow: New Ways to the Future (III), Simone Tramonte, 2021

To learn more about this year’s Environmental Photographer of the Year winners visit the competition website.