{"id":461450,"date":"2026-06-05T00:21:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T00:21:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/461450\/"},"modified":"2026-06-05T00:21:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T00:21:11","slug":"15-year-old-photographer-wins-major-award-with-wildlife-moment-many-spend-years-trying-to-capture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/461450\/","title":{"rendered":"15-year-old photographer wins major award with wildlife moment many spend years trying to capture"},"content":{"rendered":"

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This shot of a Eurasian hobby (Falco subbuteo) stood out against impressive wildlife images in the British Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. | Credit: \u00a9 Jack Crockford \/ British Wildlife Photography Awards<\/p>\n

Young photographer Jack Crockford has won the top honor at the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2026, winning the 12-14 Years category with a striking image showing a Eurasian hobby catching prey in mid-air.<\/p>\n

Now 15 years old, Jack<\/a> secured the prestigious award with a capture that freezes a fraction-of-a-second hunting encounter as the agile falcon reaches out to snatch its prey from the sky.<\/p>\n

Capturing such a moment requires exceptional timing and plenty of patience \u2013 skills that wildlife photographers can spend years refining. Jack shot the winning image using a pro-level DSLR camera<\/a> rather than one of today’s latest AI-powered mirrorless cameras<\/a> \u2013 combined with a super-telephoto lens. <\/a><\/p>\n

‘Acrobatic Hobby’<\/p>\n

The photographer explains
“This is the Eurasian hobby, a small yet remarkably agile bird of prey. They combine their speed with this agility for a unique trait; catching insects mid-air.<\/p>\n

“The size of their prey doesn’t affect them, as it can vary from the smallest of flies to small birds.<\/p>\n

“First, they lock on to their target. Next, they reach out with their super-sharp talons and snatch their prey. In this moment, a mayfly was unlucky as it became the hobby’s next snack.”<\/p>\n

\"Nikon<\/p>\n

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

Shot info
Species: Eurasian hobby (Falco subbuteo)
Location: Staines Moor, England<\/p>\n

Tech info
Gear: Nikon D500<\/a> + Nikon AF-S 200-500mm f\/5.6E ED VR lens<\/a>
Exposure: 1\/6400sec, f\/8, ISO 800<\/p>\n

The image has sparked discussion around gear and skill.<\/p>\n

Capturing wildlife moments like this requires experience, dedication, and split-second timing to frame cleanly and avoid cutting the subject \u2013 especially in fast-moving scenes like a hunt.<\/p>\n

Jack achieved the shot using a DSLR camera and lens without today’s AI-assisted autofocus systems found in modern mirrorless cameras, making the result particularly impressive given his age of just 15.<\/p>\n

For more winning images and full results, visit the BWPA website<\/a> and explore the incredible work of this year’s photographers.<\/p>\n

You might like…<\/p>\n

If you are into wildlife photography, check our guide to the best camera for wildlife photography<\/a> and 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 May to December.<\/a><\/p>\n