Make a donation
The Museum is a charity and we rely on your support.
Make a donation today and support our 350 scientists who are working to build resilient habitats, protect vulnerable species and secure a sustainable future for our planet.
Britta Jaschinski's Image
Britta arrived in Ndutu, Tanzania, only days after a huge bushfire blazed through the area.
'Vast tracts of acacia trees were burnt to the ground, and the air reeked of ash and cinders,' says Britta. The scorched ground was dotted with whitened tortoise shells, and disorientated antelopes were wandering around with nowhere to hide - a windfall for predators. One evening, a cheetah appeared on the blackened scene. 'But it, too, looked unsettled, alienated - almost ghostly.' Britta took the photo using a long exposure to catch the mood of the moment and then watched as the cheetah melted into the background.
Behind the lens
Britta Jaschinski
Germany/UK
Britta has won numerous international awards and works with authorities, charities and environmental organisations to document crimes against wildlife and nature. Her images are published worldwide in magazines, newspapers and books and exhibited in galleries and museums. When not on assignment, Britta is busy speaking at photo festivals or conservation events with large, international audiences.
Image details
- Nikon FE2
- 200mm fixed lens
- 1/8 sec at f4
- Ndutu, Ngorogoro Conservation Area, Tanzania
Copyright in WPY competition photographs remains the property of the respective photographers. You may not copy, share, reproduce or republish the photographs except as expressly permitted by copyright law. For media image usage enquiries, please contact us.
More images from Britta Jaschinski
View all
Support our important work
Help us harness the power of photography to advance scientific knowledge, spread awareness of important issues and nurture a global love for nature.