Paul Klaver's Image

One winter afternoon in the Dutch Oostvaardersplassen nature reserve, Paul discovered the still-warm body of a red deer doe.

He photographed its eye ‘to capture her fading spirit’. Then he decided to let the camera run overnight. It captured shadows of reeds and a spark of light as the deer’s eye caught the Moon before freezing solid. He was inspired to take more time-lapse images in the reserve, capturing snow shrouding a kingfisher in white and a frozen tree in starlight. The result is a moving tribute to natural rhythms, revealing scenes that otherwise would be impossible to witness.


Behind the lens

Paul Klaver

Paul Klaver

The Netherlands

Film-maker and nature photographer, Paul played a major role in the making of the first Dutch nature film for the big screen – The New Wilderness – spending two years in the field as a cameraman and working with special time-lapse techniques. He has also produced a short film about the nutrient cycle in southeast Alaska. His aim is to capture the essence of wilderness in his images.

Image details

  • Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • range of lenses (14 to 100mm)
  • different interval and dissolve times (1 to 30 seconds)
  • Oostvaardersplassen, The Netherlands
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.

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.

Donate now

Discover more

Sign up to our newsletter

Receive email updates about Wildlife Photographer of the Year news, events, science, products, services and fundraising activities. We may occasionally include third-party content from our corporate partners and other museums. We will not share your personal details with these third parties. You must be over the age of 13. Privacy notice.