Nikon designates the Italian photographer Milko Marchetti as winner of Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2024for his hilarious photo titled Stuck Squirrel (Squirrel stuck).
Stuck Squirrel is a perfectly timed shot of a red squirrel in a comically awkward posture: stuck in a tree with its legs at an unlikely angle. Milko’s image was chosen from 9,000 submissions, a record number in the awards’ ten-year history. From this remarkable collection, around 45 of the best photos were selected by the jury. The competition was as tough as ever, with only a few points difference between the top five submissions, but Milko’s photo was the standout among the finalists.
As the winner of the competition, Milko Marchetti will be able to enjoy an unforgettable safari experience in the reserve of Maasai Mara in Kenya, with Alex Walker’s Serian. He will also receive a magnificent trophy handmade by the Wonder Workshop in Tanzania and a high-end camera bag from the renowned brand THINK TANK.
Milko Marchetti: “Nature photography has been my passion since I was a child, and I have always devoted all my free time and energy to it. Nature offers so much beauty and diversity, and with a camera, a photographer has this power, like a kind of superpower, to freeze a moment and preserve it forever in the form of a photo. The emotion I feel the moment I click is pure adrenaline, and I always hope to convey at least one real emotion through my photography. It seems to be the case this time !”
Stefan Maiersenior general manager of marketing at Nikon Europe, said: “We’re thrilled to be able to highlight this exceptional performance by Milko Marchetti at the 2024 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards. His Stuck Squirrel image brilliantly captures the playful and unpredictable moments that make nature so fascinating. This year, the competition received a record number of submissions, each a testament to the power of photography to evoke emotion. We look forward to continuing to inspire the next generation of nature photographers with these wonderful awards.”
This year there were nine further category winners, with a special mention going to the next generation of nature photographers. Kingston Tamfrom Australia, won the Nikon Young Photographer Award (under 25) with a wonderful close-up of a smiling frog in front of the lens. He receives a Nikon Z8 + 24-120mm kit. Another promising photographer to mention is Sarthak Ranganadhanwho triumphed in the Nikon Junior Category (under 16) with his charming photo of kissing owls. He gets a brand new Z50II + 16-50mm kit.
After this announcement, a beautiful free exhibition lasting just one week, from December 11 to 15, will present the magnificent work of the 2024 prize finalists in the Gallery@Oxo in London.
