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2010: Creative Visions - Specially Commended

Tim Laman Enlarge image Paradise performance

Tim Laman (USA)

Paradise performance

Tim has a passion for birds of paradise, and in the lowland forest at the base of the Arfak Mountains of West Papua, Indonesia, he set out to photograph the king bird of paradise. Having identified the most promising male and his vine-covered display tree, Tim built a platform in a tree opposite it and waited. The king tries to interest potential mates by showing off his spectacular plumage, often hanging upside down, jigging his tail wires so the iridescent-green discs flash above him. 'What I really wanted,' Tim says, 'was to highlight his distinctive features, especially those tail wires and his blue legs contrasting with his brilliant red body.' And that's the prize-winning composition he got.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II + 600mm f4 lens; 1/180 sec at f5.6; ISO 800.

This photograph is available to buy as a print.

View other winners in this category


  • Adult awards Nature's canvas Francisco Mingorance

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  • Adult awards The magical forest Sandra Bartocha

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  • Adult awards Air display Andrew Parkinson

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  • Adult awards Out of the blue Edwin Giesbers

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  • Adult awards Lanzarote by moonlight Francisco Mingorance

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  • Adult awards Aerobatics Tanguy StoecklĂ©

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