THESE fascinating images depict how science and technology influence our lives and the world around us, from the stunning wildlife inhabiting even the most unassuming of places to the environmental and biological hazards that are transforming our planet. The selected photos over the next few pages are the shortlisted and winning entries to our new competition, the 麻豆传媒 Photography Awards.
Winners and runners-up for the three categories 鈥� The Natural World, Modern Life and Our Changing Environment 鈥� were chosen by wildlife presenter Chris Packham, award-winning photographer Sue Flood and 麻豆传媒 editors Helen Benians, Timothy Revell and Penny Sarchet.
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Each judge was impressed by the competition鈥檚 overall standard and quality. Some entries had great ideas behind them and were 鈥渟trikingly beautiful鈥�, says Packham. 鈥淚 think in each category, there were two or three images that really jumped out,鈥� says Flood.
While the first and second-place entries for each category have already been decided by the panel, the overall winner will be judged by public vote. You can choose your favourite image at newscientist.com/publicvote, before the winner is declared in October. Voting closes on 26 September.
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OUR CHANGING ENVIRONMENT
CATEGORY WINNER
Photographer Nick Lancaster
These young kestrels were inhabiting an iron pipe on a small industrial estate in North Yorkshire, UK, and were just days from fledging when Nick Lancaster took this photo. 鈥淚 love the rusty colours and the way that is complemented by the birds鈥� own rusty colours,鈥� says Chris Packham.
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OUR CHANGING ENVIRONMENT
RUNNER-UP
Photographer Nigel Ferris
Taken using a drone, this image shows a corn circle in Wiltshire, UK. It depicts a symbol used to indicate a biohazard, acting as a comment on the effect we have on the planet.
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OUR CHANGING ENVIRONMENT
SHORTLIST
Photographer Jack Pokoj
Even though it is illegal to use certain fishing nets over coral reefs in the Philippines, unfortunately they sometimes still end up there. This image shows a range of corals, sponges and feather stars, as well as fishing equipment.
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OUR CHANGING ENVIRONMENT
SHORTLIST
Photographer Alexander Turner
This photo was taken on a rooftop in central London and is part of a photo essay that explores the impact of beekeeping on native pollinators.
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MODERN LIFE
CATEGORY WINNER
Photographer Kieran Doherty
In this image, Kieran Doherty鈥檚 father Hugh is celebrating his 82nd birthday during the covid-19 pandemic. Three of his grandchildren are stood outside and are singing Happy Birthday. 鈥淚 felt this was a very moving image,鈥� says Sue Flood.
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MODERN LIFE
RUNNER-UP
Photographer Kate MacRae
During the UK lockdown in May 2020, Kate MacRae developed a strong relationship with 鈥淐olin鈥� the robin.
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MODERN LIFE
SHORTLIST
Photographer Rachel Piper
This gull spotted a tasty treat on a summer鈥檚 day in a coastal town in Yorkshire, UK. The man was oblivious, but escaped unscathed.
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MODERN LIFE
SHORTLIST
Photographer Emma Friedlander-Collins
These plants were collected from the edge of a building site in Sussex, UK, and then scanned using a printer to show them in a unique way.
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THE NATURAL WORLD
CATEGORY WINNER
Photographer Barry Webb
Made of 19 photos combined together, this image shows a common rough woodlouse stretching up to feed on a gelatinous slime mould in the south of Buckinghamshire, UK. 鈥淚t is absolutely the one I wish I鈥檇 taken,鈥� says Sue Flood.
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THE NATURAL WORLD
RUNNER-UP
Photographer Rachel Bigsby
Razorbills pair for life, and these two are huddling together on Skomer Island off the coast of Pembrokeshire, UK. The shot was taken during a spell of heavy sea fog that hung around on the island for days.
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THE NATURAL WORLD
SHORTLIST
Photographer Martin Brazill
Munching on a Hemerocallis 鈥淔rans Hals鈥� day lily, this hoverfly was photographed in Suffolk, UK, earlier this year. It is using its proboscis to get to the pollen.
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THE NATURAL WORLD
SHORTLIST
Photographer Georgie Bull
This blenny was found in Chesil Cove on the Isle of Portland in Dorset, UK. It seemed interested in Georgie Bull鈥檚 torch and peered over a small pebble to see what was going on.
Cast your vote for the overall winner at 听听
