{"id":613232,"date":"2026-09-03T14:50:35","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T14:50:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/613232\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T14:50:35","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T14:50:35","slug":"award-winning-16-year-old-photographer-now-highlighted-in-worlds-leading-wildlife-photography-competition-with-an-almost-perfectly-aligned-bird-and-airplane-dslr-image","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/613232\/","title":{"rendered":"Award-winning 16-year-old photographer now highlighted in world\u2019s leading wildlife photography competition with an almost perfectly aligned bird and airplane DSLR image"},"content":{"rendered":"

After his previous success with a split-second wildlife shot<\/a> showing a Eurasian hobby catching prey in mid-air, 16-year-old photographer Jack Crockford <\/a>has now been recognized by another prestigious photography competition \u2013 this time for an extraordinary image of a swift flying almost perfectly aligned with an airplane.<\/p>\n

The Art of Flying has now been highlighted by the world’s leading wildlife photography competition, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year<\/a>, developed and produced by the Natural History Museum<\/a> in London, England.<\/p>\n

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The awards published a sneak peek of this year’s Highly Commended images and, in the 15-17 Years category, Jack’s shot of a low-flying swift, as its shape is echoed by an incoming plane approaching Heathrow Airport, stood out.<\/p>\n

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Using the same kit as he used to capture his previous award-winning image, Jack shot with the Nikon D500<\/a> \u2013 a DSLR camera<\/a> that Digital Camera World praised as a “dream camera” when reviewing it \u2013 paired with a 200-500mm telephoto lens<\/a> to get close.<\/p>\n

When observing the swifts, Jack recalls that most were flying too high to capture, but one of the occasional low-flyers finally enabled him to create the composition he’d been hoping for.<\/p>\n

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‘The Art of Flying’ \u2013 Shortlisted at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 competition<\/p>\n

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\"Nikon
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Launched in April 2016, the Nikon D500 is a pro-quality DX format DSLR that we praised as a “dream camera” in our Nikon D500 review<\/a> (Image credit: Nikon)<\/p>\n

Tech details
Nikon<\/a> Nikon D500<\/a> + Nikon AF-S 200-500mm f\/5.6E ED VR<\/a><\/p>\n

Exposure info
1\/5000 sec, f\/8, ISO1600<\/p>\n

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The Wildlife Photographer of the Year states, “Jack observed swifts flying overhead, completing their yearly migration back to London and filling the air with their piercing, high-pitched calls.<\/p>\n

“Swifts’ physical characteristics allow them to migrate from equatorial and southern Africa to breeding grounds in northern Europe.<\/p>\n

“Their long, scythe-shaped wings enable exceptional speed and maneuverability. Living almost their entire lives in the air, they usually only land when they\u2019re ready to breed. “<\/p>\n

The category winners and the prestigious Grand Title and Young Grand Title awards will be announced on October 13. You can watch the ceremony live on YouTube<\/a>. The full set of highlighted images will be showcased in an exhibition<\/a> from October 16 at the Natural History Museum, with tickets available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Browse the best cameras for wildlife photography<\/a> and the best lenses for bird photography and wildlife.<\/a><\/p>\n

Looking for competitions to enter? Here are 10 global photo contests now open for entries from August 2026 to January 2027.<\/a><\/p>\n