• More than 5,300 entries submitted by 1,842 individuals this year 
• Australian photographer won the overall award for his photo of a kangaroo appearing to play air guitar 

By Emma Saletta For Dailymail.Com

Published: 08:53 EST, 31 December 2023 | Updated: 09:14 EST, 31 December 2023

People say kids do the funniest things – but it looks like animals are getting in on the act. 

Winners of the 2023 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards captured animals in a series of unlikely poses – from a smooth-coated otter in an arabesque pose to an air-playing kangaroo and a very dejected-looking owl, the images are likely to raise a smile. 

More than 5,300 entries were submitted by 1,800 photographers this year. Jason Moore’s Air Guitar Roo was the overall winner, capturing a kangaroo in a hilarious pose. He also received the Alex Walker Serian Creatures of the Land Award. 

Other winners featured in this year’s Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards include Vittorio Ricci, Otter Kwek, and Delphine Casimir for their stellar photos of a faceplanting bird, a ballet-dancing otter, and a resting monkey. 

The competition was founded in 2015 by Paul Joynson-Hicks – a wildlife photographer currently living in Tanzania. He was inspired to organize the competition by one of his own photographs.  

Co-founder and head of judging Tom Sullam joined Hicks in creating what is now a global competition shortly after the idea was first thought out.

According to the Comedy Wildlife Awards website, competition officials want viewers to share their enjoyment in nature and take the time to recognize its value. 

All photos this year were chosen by 14 judges, including competition creators Hicks and Sullam.

Competitors can submit up to three images into each category, except the Amazing Internet Portfolio.

Filmmakers can also submit up to two video clips to the competition’s only video category.

Other judges this year include National Geographic photographer Charlie Hamilton James, Amazing Internet co-founder Andrew Skirrow and Celina Dunlop, the head of pictures at The Economist.

Sarah Stokes, 12, and Isaac Stokes, 10, embrace their father Lt. Col. Michael Stokes as he returns home alongside the 4th Infantry Division Headquarters at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center on Fort Carson during a ceremony Wednesday, September 13, 2023.

The year 2023 has been pivotal for the world of photography, marked by significant technological advancements and shifting trends. This year was only about new camera and lens releases, but also about the broader implications developments had on the art and practice of photography.

Coming to you from Park Cameras, this great video takes a look at 2023 in photography, including notable cameras like the Nikon Z8 and significant lens releases like the Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8. And of course, who could forget the introduction of the first global shutter in a full frame consumer camera, featured in the Sony a9 III? While not perfect, this innovation eliminates many problems associated with traditional shutters, such as the rolling shutter effect, and allows for higher flash sync speeds. 

Another significant trend discussed in the video is the integration and impact of AI in photography. AI tools have become more prevalent in photo-editing software, offering new capabilities but also raising ethical and artistic questions. The video delves into how these tools can enhance the workflow and results for photographers, like in the case of wedding photography, while also considering the implications for the authenticity and integrity of photographic art, something we’re going to have grapple with more and more in the coming year. Check out the video above for the full rundown.

“On October 6 we finished curating and designing the exhibition. On the morning of Saturday, October 7, we were still talking and going over fine points. After a few hours, we all disappeared. Individually, we sank into ourselves. We didn’t know what was going to happen,” says Dana Wohlfeiler-Larkin, the founder and director of Local Testimony, an annual exhibition that has been presenting the year’s best news photography over the past 20 years.

Some people might discover a love for photography as a child, but for Jeanne Shepherd Harford, the calling came later during a trip to Italy.

“If you’ve ever been to Tuscany…with colors and the light, and of course the architecture and the landscapes… it was just made for photography,” she said.

Now a professional photographer, Harford’s latest exhibit continues through January at the Hinds Fine Art Gallery in Tyler.

Harford spent 22 years as a military spouse and was stationed in Italy in 2008 when she found her passion for photography.

When Harford returned to the United States, she went back to school for photography but didn’t want to focus on just any subject.

“I’ve grown up with horses all my life… they are my life,” she said. “It has always been in my blood. I knew I wanted to be involved with photographing horses.”

Growing up, Harford rode competitively and said she loved every moment of it. She eventually started training and coaching other riders, even internationally.

“Unfortunately, as I got older, my body couldn’t deal with it a lot, so there were times I would be a judge,” she said. “But I still enjoyed it.”

While she was attending a photography class, an instructor asked those who were interested in sports and events to raise their hand, which Harford did.

“They said, ‘Get ready because you’re going to have the more expensive equipment, more expensive lenses and you’re not going to get paid a whole lot,’ ” Harford said. “But… I still saw it as an opportunity to do two passions at once. I was absolutely ready.”

Harford is well known as a professional horse photographer and has traveled all over the world — even at the expense of the king of Jordan.

“There was a mounted archery competition (in Jordan), and it was… spectacular,” she said. “I got to eat and drink with these amazing people. They shared amazing life stories.”

Born and raised in San Antonio, Harford has called East Texas home for the past few years.

“It’s much easier to connect with people in places like Tyler compared to a bigger city,” she said. “I love it here.”

If she’s not photographing horses, she often finds inspiration in landscapes by pulling off to the side of the road.

“I have always been a photographer that seeks dark light,” Harford said. “I’ve never been about bright lighting. The dark, negative lights have always been my aesthetic.”

With her on these photographic adventures is her fiance, Russell Ford, who spent 20 years in the corporate world before finding his creative streak.

“He really liked what I was doing and was enamored with the idea of just having a little more freedom,” Harford said. “So, he basically traded in his nine-to-five job for a camera.”

One of Harford’s favorite things is visiting older hotels, often fueling her quest for dark light.

“They’re always off the beaten path,” she said. “But they are these American treasures and just really fun to photograph.”

Like many artists, Harford was eager to share her work with the world.

“I really have to give my neighbor, Denise Henry, longtime Tyler resident who is also an artist, credit for bringing my attention to Hinds Art Gallery in Tyler,” Harford said. “We decided to go into town one day, and we walked in the gallery and I just fell in love with it.”

Harford and her neighbor met gallery owner Aaron Hinds.

“He just had such wonderful vibes about him… very positive energy,” Harford said. “I liked that he was passionate about featuring local artists.”

Hinds said he was impressed with Harford from the start.

“She’s a hustler… I mean, as an artist you have to be,” he said. “You have to hustle and be persistent when you want to be displayed in galleries. But she had this amazing, outgoing vibe that’s very refreshing.”

Before long, Harford’s work was displayed in the gallery.

“Jeanne… she’s a Texas classic, you know,” Hinds said. “She’s made herself famous by being extremely interested in horses, horse culture, horse shows. She just has a great eye for the American Southwest.”

Her show has been one of the most successful at Hinds Fine Art Gallery. She brought 25 pieces and has sold 13.

“When I created this show, I was stumped on what to call it,” Harford said. “Then it hit me… I wanted it to be about the stories behind them.”

With each photo, there is a QR code for Harford’s website that tells the story of each photo.

“I am actually in the process of creating more work,” Harford said. “I love how much East Texas accepts their artists.”

Harford was originally scheduled to have her show through December. However, it was was extended through January.

“Tyler really is the heart of East Texas,” Harford said. “There are so many budding artists… and a community that is so accepting of the art scene. Everyone has been so welcoming.”

“She’s exactly what you want a photographer to be,” Hinds said. “Jeanne is just kind of one of those East Texas forces. We’re happy to have her featured here.”

Gaza – When 15-year-old Zain Abudaqa spoke to his father by telephone on December 15, he had no idea it was the last time he would ever hear his voice.

“He told me to nurture my talents and never to give up on my dreams. He told me to be a good son,” Zain said. “I cannot believe he is gone and left us alone like this.”

Samer Abudaqa was 46 when he was killed in an Israeli air raid on Khan Younis in Gaza on December 15. A photojournalist and cameraman who was born and raised in the town of Abasan al-Kabira, east of Khan Younis, he joined Al Jazeera Arabic in 2002.

Abudaqa sent his wife and four children to live in Belgium three years ago and managed to visit them there only twice – most recently three months ago when he brought roses home, his favourite way to express his love for his family. He had hoped to bring them back to Gaza to live together again once it was safe enough to do so.

Zain, who is Abudaqa’s middle son, has a particular talent for singing and was being encouraged by his father to develop it – part of the reason his father was so eager for the family to move to Belgium where Zain would have more opportunity to do so.

“For three years, we have been in Belgium, away from my father,” Zain said. “We were waiting for him to come back to us again during the war. We asked him to leave Gaza during the war because we were so afraid for him.”

Zain was at school when he received the news that his father had been injured alongside his colleague, Wael Dahdouh, Al Jazeera’s Gaza bureau chief, who lost several members of his family, including his wife, two of his children and one grandson, to the Israeli bombardment in November.

“I asked [school] to allow me to return home so that I could be with my mother, sister and brothers. [For] six hours straight, we waited for news about my father despite the internet and communication blackouts in Gaza. I had hope that he would live.”

That hope was ultimately dashed when, later that night, it was confirmed that Abudaqa had bled to death from his injuries following Israel’s attack while he and Dahdouh were reporting at Farhana school in Khan Younis. Medical teams were able to reach Dahdouh and take him to hospital, but they were blocked from Abudaqa’s location. When they finally reached him, hours later, it was already too late.

Despite the danger, ‘he never hesitated’

Even though his family was safely overseas, Abudaqa insisted on staying in Gaza to cover the war.

In the more than 20 years he worked for Al Jazeera, he never stopped for a moment, his friends and colleagues said, with some describing him as working “like a bee”.

Dahdouh, who worked alongside Abudaqa since joining the Gaza office in 2004, remembered his colleague as a journalist who was always brave enough to seek out the most important stories.

“We encouraged each other to produce distinctive stories without thinking too much about the effects those stories might have on us,” he said. “We really loved each other’s work. Samer was one of those photographers who had a sense of images and produced images that speak.

“He would go into the field and paint the picture he needed there, then come back with a complete story.”

On the day he died, Abudaqa went with Dahdouh to film a report at the Farhana school east of Khan Younis. Despite the area being known to be particularly dangerous, Abudaqa did not hesitate, said Dahdouh.

“Samer was a very spontaneous and generous person who loved his work very much. He always gave priority to his work – sometimes over his family.

“He woke up early and prepared the equipment to go out with me to film despite my hesitation about this task due to the seriousness of the situation there.”

Accompanied by a Palestinian Civil Defence unit, the pair spent two and a half hours filming at the site before they began preparing to leave. “The mission was over,” said Dahdouh. “But when we left, we were directly targeted with a reconnaissance missile. It killed three members of the Civil Defence, and I was injured.”

Dahdouh was knocked unconscious while Abudaqa was struck in the stomach and abdomen so severely he was unable to move the lower part of his body. “I tried to be strong and was able to move with difficulty,” Dahouh recalled. “I could not hear well. I tried to take cover from any more missiles, which I expected would fall, and when I saw my hand was bleeding a lot, I tried to crawl.

“I headed towards the ambulance, which was a few hundred metres away from us, and when I reached them with difficulty, I asked them to return to save Samer. They told me that it was difficult because of the debris [blocking the path], and they said that they would tend to me and then return to Samer.”

It took hours of coordination with different parties for them to be able to do that, however. The Red Crescent ambulance crew had to request a Red Cross vehicle to help so that they would not be targeted by Israeli soldiers.

When they finally reached Abudaqa, it became clear that his press jacket had come off him in the blast. He had tried to crawl away but had been injured again while doing so.

Dahdouh said he was not surprised at all by the bravery Abudaqa displayed that day.

“I have many stories and moments that I lived with Samer. Many times, we could have died together in different places in the northern Gaza Strip. He considered me his brother. Our relationship was special – he was a generous and giving person.”

‘Who else will this war take?’

“His catchphrase was ‘Ready!’,” recalled Hisham Zaqout, Al Jazeera correspondent and colleague of Abudaqa, who joined the organisation in 2009.

“He never refused a request from anyone. When he obtained a visa to travel to Belgium to see his family, he slaughtered two sheep for us and brought sweets as if it were a wedding.”

Zaqout added, “Samer was one of the most committed to his work. He insisted on editing his stories without anyone rushing him. That’s why I used to leave him alone until the story was ready.

When Dahdouh and Abudaqa were struck, he said, he was reporting from Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah. He appealed on air during a live broadcast for an ambulance to be sent for Abudaqa.

“I spent more time with Samer than I spent with my family,” said Heba Akila, another correspondent for Al Jazeera. “Long moments of work, moments of success, and continuous coverage of all these events brought us together. I cannot believe that Samer is gone. I cannot believe that we no longer have him with us. We do not know who else this war will take.”

As it is, in just two and a half months, Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 100 journalists. Dahdouh pointed out that 60 journalists died during the Vietnam War, which lasted for nearly 20 years.

“Journalists will continue their work to report events on the ground, and this is what we have done,” Dahdouh said. “This is the strongest way we can respond to the war. This is what Samer died for.”

The day before he died, Abudaqa visited his mother, Maher, in Khan Younis. “He came to check on me,” she said, holding back tears. “I was preparing breakfast and I asked him to stay with us to eat. But he could never be away from his colleagues for long – he loved his family and friends and could never leave Gaza.

“He said, ‘Mum, my friends are waiting for me – I will eat with them’. I feel now that, really, he came to say goodbye.”

2023 was a year of new beginnings and a fresh start for World Cup racing. With Warner Brothers Discovery taking on the challenge of broadcasting and running the show, we saw a race season like no other before. Along with the new race organisers, 2023 saw plenty of changes on and off the track. These changes spanned the biggest shake-up in the downhill racing format for many years, with the introduction of semi-finals to the EWS series graduating into a fully-fledged World Cup event. Throughout a season filled with unpredictable racing and behind-the-scenes chaos, Pinkbike’s photographers captured the action in glorious detail.

2023 was an incredible year to be a racing fan, with every stop of the World Cup circus spoiling race nerds with top performances and plenty of fresh faces stepping onto the podium. Not only did racing this past year deliver wild moments, but we also got unprecedented results as Nino Schurter shattered the win record of Julien Absalon, Rachel Atherton made a triumphant return and the future of downhill racing has very much arrived as first-year elites stood up and challenged the prowess of the World’s best.

Racing doesn’t get much better than the spectacle we saw in 2023, so in celebration of the past season we have pulled together our top moments from the year. A huge thanks to Dave Trumpore, Ross Bell, Nathan Hughes and Andy Vathis for capturing these incredible moments and Dave Trumpore for the hard job of selecting only a few images out of many great shots for this collection. It’s been an amazing year to have the pleasure of covering racing for Pinkbike and I can’t wait to kick it all off again with even more coverage next year. Until then, here are our top moments from the 2023 race season.

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