Conrad Tan wrote:
Awesome Andy!! Seriously I hope to someday also get this kind of recognition. I'm very proud of you as a fellow FMer to recieve such a prestigeious award! I practice 3 to 4 hours a day and hopefully someday it will pay off! Congrats again on your sucess my friend!

Hello Conrad,
This is the kind of open-mind attitude I'd like to see more in the forum, especially with so many "serious photographers" present. Thank you very much for having the spirit and not being afraid to live your spirit. When I picked up this discipline of photography, I was really inspired by some exceptionally great photographers and images. Without that, I don't think I would be in the position I am in today. This post is not really about congratulating ME, it's about sharing a positive attitude.

Now I know I have a new friend!

Andy

Exciting stuff,
well done!

Howard

Thunderbird,
Firstly, Congratulations for the recognition, great shot, indeed !!!

Secondly, I do not know the whole story about you and others at your SJWS and BC locations, but it seems like you are making a joke out of yourself by doing all this bickering even after presenting some good work here and elsewhere (Yea, I am on BPN and NSN too).

Bro, if I were you, I would let this great image/work speak for itself instead of the incessant, unpleasant rants that accompany your posts.

As an avid nature photographer and someone you enjoys your images, I think, you are going the way Art Morris (an established figure in this field) has been going recently, bashing anyone who goes against you or disagrees with your opinions. Just let it go, man.

Modesty is a good virtue, see if you can inculcate that in your lifestyle.

Congrats and Peace,
TGIF,
Kiran

Your title of this post; “Wildlife Photographer of the Year” seems at least a bit misleading. I looked at the various winners of the “Wildlife Photographer of the Year” awards and could not find you listed at;
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whats-on/temporary-exhibitions/wpy/competition/about/events.jsp

If one runs around cramming the occasional lucky shot into every photo contest on the planet I suppose they’re bound to make a hit now and then. But, did you actually “win” anything this time other than a book?

It seems like the last few images from you have been only of you and your exploits. Should we not expect, instead, loads of superlative images from someone with the self proclaimed “instinct and technique of a wildlife photographer”?

Surely you must agree that a huge number of the images on this forum are easily contest worthy and that they are in many cases equal or superior to your own. Why not content yourself with simply sharing those wonderful images you claim to find by “instinct”?

Ray DeBosch wrote:
What a great honor, Andy! Hats off!
Congratulations!

Thank you, Ray.
Andy

Gary Lee 44 wrote:
Well Done and congratulations. Best to you with a future with NGM!

Thank you Gary. It will remain a dream for now.
Andy

carl haslam wrote:
Congratulations Andy a great recognition for you, well done.

Carl

Thanks Carl. Good to see you again. Cheers.

Andy

Shasoc wrote:
Congratulations and well deserved.
Socrate

Thanks Socrate. You getting ready for BA Homecoming next week?
Andy

Claude wrote:
Congratulations!!!

Claude

Thank you, Claude!
Andy

Imagemaster wrote:
Congrats Andy, on winning a Highly Commended award in the "Animal Portraits" category.

It would have been nice if you had also mentioned the names of those that actually won the "Wildlife Photographer of the Year" awards.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year - 2009:

Overall winner: Jose Luis Rodriguez
Young overall winner: Fergus Gill
Special award for Endangered Wildlife: Gerald Durrell

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whats-on/temporary-exhibitions/wpy/onlineGallery.do

Tony

Thanks Tony, no thanks. This sounds like an opportunity for you to rain on my parade.
I mentioned Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rouse, Mr. Morris because they have been my inspiration since I started wildlife photography and it was such a thrill to see my name along side theirs; while I have never heard of the names you brought up, until the competition was over.

You seem to be knocking off on the fact that I "only" got the "Highly Commended award" and not the "actual Wildlife Photographer of the Year" award. The title of the thread is the name of the book I received, and also is the title of the competition. There were a few dozen different winners of the "Wildlife Photographer of the Year" award in many different categories. I won a Highly Commended award, the same type of award as did the three masters I mentioned.

From the book's Foreword:
Hundreds of thousands of photographs were taken by photographers from 94 different countries. They picked the best of their collections and, between them, entered a record-breaking 43,135 pictures in this year's competition. Then the judges pulled out their favourites - the very best of the best - and what you see here is the astonishing result."

In that sense, I am very honored to be included in "the very best of the best". Perhaps you should try harder to get your foot in there to know what it feels like to be treated with honor and respect.

thunderbird wrote:

Perhaps you should try harder to get your foot in there to know what it feels like to be treated with honor and respect.


If being formally commended for some aspect of your photography is what is required to receive treatment of "honor and respect", then I think that isn't unfamiliar to Tony. He was featured at least once by Cornell's All About Birds, and perhaps elsewhere as well:

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1360

genefixer wrote:
WOW! You deserve it man!

Mike, thank you very much Sir!

I like your nickname

Andy

Ed Porter wrote:
That is awesome!!! Congratulations!!

Thanks so much, Ed.

Andy

shelleyc wrote:
Congratulations Andy.

Thank you Shelley.
Andy

godfreyz wrote:
Congratulations. Quite an honor!

Thank you godfreyz .

Andy

Joseehe wrote:
My best to you...great accomplishment...there are so many great photographers out there.

Thanks so much, Joseehe.

Andy

hhski wrote:
Congrats!!!!!!

Thanks hhski.

Lil Judd wrote:
Congratulations on your award Andy,

a thought - if you feel you don't get enough support here -- - maybe you should consider offering support to others. Commenting to others will naturally make others inclined to comment on your work when presented/posted here.

I have more than once commented on your offerings - when have you ever reciprocated?

Congratulations on your huge achievement to get a "Highly Commended" Award & to be published.

Lil

Thanks Lil. I have tons of support here, and that's why I want to thank each and everyone for that. About the comment issue, I'd like to discuss it in PM or in another thread more appropriate.

Andy

Sirfishalot wrote:
Huge congratulations Andy!
That is a truly awesome achievement. Props also to Hanh for helping you along the way.

JayT

Jay, thanks so much for the big congrats. That's what friends are for, to share the good times and bad times with each other.

Of course, big thanks to my wife who's always supporting me every step of the way.

Andy

Congratulations, Congratulations, Congratulations.
Proud to be a member of the FM community alongside you!

Scott