Beyond the Grid Wildlife Photography Contest - August 2023
In this article, we’ll reveal the winners of the fourth edition of Beyond the Grid, a wildlife photography contest where the community's best wildlife photographers shine beyond Instagram. It was a very tight competition with over 60 submissions from around the world.
Keep scrolling to see the August 2023 winners of Beyond the Grid!
If you missed the previous contests, you can see the winners below:
Wildlife photography tutorials
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Why Beyond the Grid?
Although Instagram has become the most popular way to share our work, it’s not always optimized for this purpose. It also prioritizes people who can best market their work rather than produce the best photography.
That’s why Beyond the Grid aims to give visibility to more wildlife photographers outside of Instagram on a medium that better represents the fruits of our hard work.
Every month, we will shine a spotlight on the community's best wildlife photographers. Being a wildlife photographer can be challenging, but the results, as you can see from the work of the individuals below, can be absolutely breathtaking.
Participating in Beyond the Grid has many benefits:
Free entry to a wildlife photography competition (most are usually paid)
Your work is shared not only on social media, but on this website
You join a community of like-minded individuals passionate about nature
You get constructive feedback from photographers like you to take your photos to the next level
If you place within the top 5 winners, you become a judge for the next month
I am always looking to improve the quality of this competition and what participants get out of it (i.e. prizes), so keep an eye out for updates. If you have any suggestions, feel free to let me know.
To be featured in the August issue, submit your photos via this form by Sunday, October 15 at 11:59 pm Eastern and use the tag #BTGSeptember2023 on Instagram.
How the winners are selected
The judges spent a long time evaluating each photo anonymously without seeing who the photographer is using three categories:
Visual impact: how impactful the image is when you see it.
Composition: how effective the composition is to make a pleasing photo.
Technical quality: This includes everything from proper focus, sharpness, dynamic range, noise, and more. How do the technical elements affect the photo?
Visual impact is scored out of 10 and composition and technical quality out of 5. Once all the judges have submitted their scores, I sum up all their scores to get the top 10 to see if there are any ties.
If there’s a tie, I then look at which of the tied images scored the highest on visual impact to break the tie. If there’s a tie again, then I check the composition scores and technical quality if there’s yet another one. The top 5 are the month’s winners and 6-10 are the honorable mentions.
Beyond the Grid - August 2023 Winners
Let’s get into the August 2023 winners of the Beyond the Grid wildlife photography contest.
You will find the top five winners in order, beginning with first place. The judges provided their feedback for the top five, including what they liked and what could be improved. However, photography is very subjective, so please take any constructive criticism with a grain of salt.
The five honourable mentions are listed in the section after, so keep scrolling to see even more fantastic photos.
Meet the talented judges at the end.
Please enjoy the overall winners of the August 2023 Beyond the Grid wildlife photography contest!
1) Sanderling flock in flight - Matt Parish
Sanderlings | Canon R8 + Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM | ISO 2000, 1/1600, f/11
Description:
A flock of sanderlings strengthening up their wings for the long trip south.
Why the judges loved it:
No birds overlap and the reflection isn't too strong.
High key monochrome edit, capturing birds in flight, and non-overlapping wing positions.
Positioning of subjects in frame, use of reflection leading the eye through the frame with high key style.
Consistent spacing between birds for balanced composition. The high key approach simplifies the image, distilling it to key elements while retaining a sense of place.
What could be improved:
Darken the silhouettes and considering a black & white approach.
Sharper subjects and less intense reflections to enhance clarity.
Avoid areas that are too high key and addressing parts of the birds that seem a bit blown out.
2) Affluence - Alexandre Lauzier
Semipalmated plover | Nikon D500 + Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR | ISO 400, 1/1250, f/5.6 @ 500mm
Description:
On this rainy day, it was only me and this little semipalmated plover playing cat and mouse at the bottom of a river bank. We were both soaking wet by the rain and the waves coming at us, but it was a beautiful experience! It was my first semipalmated plover shot ever.
Why the judges loved it:
The layers and colder tones.
Great composition, use of foreground, image quality, and raindrop details with cool, moody tones.
Colors, positioning of the subject, raindrops, use of foreground, and sharpness.
Nice portrait with added texture and visual interest from rain.
What could be improved:
Add a catchlight.
A brighter exposure or at least a touch of dodging on the head.
Adjust the angle to avoid the busy background caused by the rock.
Take a step further to add more uniqueness to shorebird photos.
3) Ouate des neiges - Alexandre Lauzier
Snow goose | Nikon D500 + Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR | ISO 200, 1/1600, f/5.6 @ 500mm
Description:
I took my time to make a non-invasive approach to a group of 3 or 4 snow geese relaxing on the shore. Even though they noticed me, I was able to get close enough to make this tight portrait. The white background is actually the out of focus bodies of the other snow geese hanging around.
Why the judges loved it:
The minimalistic simplicity and small pops of color amidst the dominant whiteness.
Detail, abstract approach, and emphasis on the subject's eye with sparse but effective use of color.
Strong technical aspects: focus, sharpness, and an artistically minimalistic approach.
What could be improved:
Ensure the whites aren't blown out.
Adjust bird’s pose to face the camera.
Allow slightly more space on the left to make the beak slightly more visible.
Consider a tighter crop to remove excess space.
4) A weary racoon scouting the beach - Quinn Smilgis
Common raccoon | Canon R10 + Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II | ISO 1600, 1/100, f/5
Description
I found this old and beat up raccoon carefully looking over the beach before leading their family out to forage. Thanks to the wind direction and layout of the beach, these guys didn’t seem to notice me.
Why the judges loved it:
Layering and foreground balance.
Use of foreground, composition, moody tones, and the subject's expression.
Color palette, image quality, and the personality exuded by the subject.
Good expression and eye contact, with a nice use of the foreground for depth.
What could be improved:
Enhance colors slightly.
Analyze the horizon and revealing more of the foreground.
Allow more space on the left and bottom as the subject feels a bit confined.
Show more of the foreground to cohesively bind the composition and address the noise that affects detail on the raccoon’s face.
5) Semipalmated plover - Thomas Cadilhac
Semipalmated plover | Canon EOS 7D Mark II + Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II | ISO 320, 1/2000, f/5.6
Description:
I was laying on the ground, waiting for the sun to set. Many shorebirds were running and feeding around me. When the sun was close to the horizon, I got a very good opportunity when this Plover walked right in front of the beautiful golden light.
Why the judges loved it:
Stunning bokeh complemented by ideal golden cast and lighting.
Silhouette, subject positioning, and bokeh.
Lighting, color, image quality, and composition with bokeh being a standout feature.
Unique take on a commonly photographed subject.
What could be improved:
Adjust the crop to be less centered.
Shift the subject a bit to the left and showcasing more of the background.
Allow more space at the top for a balanced foreground and background.
Display more in front of the bird to enhance the significance of bokeh.
Beyond the Grid - Honourable mentions
6) La dame en blanc - Antoine Clément
Great egret | Nikon D850 + Nikon 300mm f/2.8 VR II + Nikkor TC 14E III (1.4x) | ISO 400, 1/640, f/4
Description:
I had been waiting in the middle of a swamp for about an hour and a half in my waders and a ghillie suit when 6 great egrets came to rest near me. After a couple minutes, they finally noticed me but didn't seem to be afraid since I had not been moving a lot. I had a great opportunity with these beautiful birds.
7) Great gray owl hunting at sunrise - Rain Saulnier
Great gray owl | Canon R10 + Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Sports | ISO 640, 1/200, f/6.3 @ 600mm
Description:
Went out for a sunrise drive. The owl was hunting the fence line then flew to this nice perch.
8) Eagle in a coastal field - Quinn Smilgis
Bald eagle | Canon R10 + Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II | ISO 500, 1/3200, f/5.6
Description:
Due to high humidity and hot weather in the strait of Georgia the sun was getting golden very early. About 2.5hrs before the sun set I captured this juvenile eagle in a field of yellow flowers with Texada Island in the distance.
9) Blinding Lights - Maceo Susi
Ring-billed gull | Canon R7 + Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM | ISO 3200, 1/40, f/8
Description
I had arrived late for a golden hour shoot at a local beach. With limited time and limited subjects, I decided to embrace the beautiful yet overlooked ring-billed gulls with urban lights as a backdrop. To take this photo, I aligned the city lights in the background with the bird, before slowly crawling towards the subject, being aware of signs of stress and moving accordingly.
10) Little blue heron - James Fatemi
Little blue heron | Nikon Z8 + Nikon 500mm f/4E FL ED + Nikkor TC-14E III | ISO 1000, 1/1000, f/5.6
Description
When I arrived at the park to take photos of this little blue heron, I immediately saw it due to its active behavior and bright color. I positioned myself straight along the bank, because I noticed it would slowly move up and down across it. I waited for about 30 minutes, and after getting a few full body shots, it surprisingly ran straight down the bank towards me, where it started to focus on something in the plants while facing me head on.
Meet the Beyond the Grid judges
Beyond the Grid monthly top five winners get the chance to become judges for the following month. Thank you to our June 2023 winners David, Jack, Justin, Alexandre, and Adam for their participation as judges in the July contest.
We look forward to welcoming you back as participants and hopefully judges in the future!
Click here to see the June 2023 contest and their winning photos.
Carl Pawlowski
Carl Pawlowski is an outdoorsman and photographer that seeks both wild places and wildlife. Some of his favorite subjects are urban white-tailed deer bucks during the rut and shorebirds along Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. When not shooting wildlife, Carl focuses on landscape and adventure-style photography, with astrophotography being a favorite.
Carl’s gear:
Mark Bernards
Mark Bernards is an award-winning wildlife and conservation photographer in Ottawa, Canada, and member of the Canadian Conservation Photographers Collective. Photography began as something he did for himself to appreciate his wildlife encounters and experiences in nature in a new light, but he has grown to love using it to inspire others to protect the species we share the planet with. Mark’s favorite images tell a story, such as interesting behavior, an animal interacting with its natural environment, and human and urban activity’s impact on wildlife.
Mark’s gear:
Sasha Farzaei (Ash Farz)
Ash began wildlife photography during the pandemic, using his sister's old camera. Based in Montreal, he combined his love for wildlife with photography and is eager to learn more about wildlife.
Ash’s gear:
Soren Goldsmith
Soren Goldsmith is a wildlife photographer and storyteller based in Lexington, Massachusetts and Madison, Wisconsin. He specializes in urban conservation and camera trapping. Soren is experienced in working with elusive subjects and has gained distinction by winning the National Geographic Slingshot Challenge for his work documenting elusive wildlife in a forest facing the threat of destruction. Currently he is a freshman studying engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Soren’s gear:
Ulysse Brault-Champion
From Otterburn Park, Québec, Ulysse developed an interest in birds at 10. His passion for photography blossomed as he delved deeper into learning about birds and wildlife. Ulysse continues to evolve in wildlife photography, driven by his technique, style, and profound connection with fauna.
Ulysse’s gear:
Thank you to all participants!
With over 60 engaging and high-quality photos from wildlife photographers from the community, the August 2023 edition of the Beyond the Grid wildlife photography contest is in the books!
Thanks to everyone for showcasing their incredible work.
Submit your best wildlife photos of September
Missed submitting your August photos? No problem.
To be featured in the September issue, submit your photos via this form by Sunday, October 15 at 11:59 pm Eastern and use the tag #BTGSeptember2023 on Instagram. We can't wait to see your work!
Want to become a better wildlife photographer?
If you are interested in learning more about the technical and artistic side of photography to take your photos to the next level, check out these awesome tutorials that can help you take amazing wildlife photos!