Submitted by Murray Hendren

The 2026 Nature Vancouver photo show showcased an impressive collection of nature photography, highlighting both the diversity of the natural world and the talent within the club’s membership. A total of 34 members participated in the show, submitting 138 images across seven categories: Birds, Insects & Spiders, Other Animals, Botany, People in Nature, Landscape, ‘From Away’. 58 members attended on Zoom. 41 of the photos were taken on cellphones.

To ensure both variety and fairness, submission guidelines limited each member to a maximum of five images, with no more than two entries per category. In addition, at least three of each member’s submissions were required to be taken in Western Canada or the Pacific Northwest, reinforcing the club’s strong regional focus. The resulting exhibition achieved an effective balance between local representation and broader natural themes. Many images captured the unique local ecosystems while others reflected encounters with exotic wildlife beyond the region.

The Birds category was particularly strong, featuring a range of species from familiar backyard visitors to more elusive and specialized subjects.

Expert Insights

An especially valuable component of the exhibition was the contribution of long-time photographers Phil Egdell and Ron Bradner, who provided detailed commentary on 35 selected images. Their observations went beyond simple critique, offering thoughtful insights into both the technical execution and aesthetic qualities of the photographs. Just as importantly, they shared practical suggestions on how each image might be improved—guidance that was greatly appreciated by participants seeking to refine their skills.

Member’s Choice Awards

In addition to the formal structure of the exhibition, a Member’s Choice component invited participants from Nature Vancouver to select their favourite images from the show. This peer-driven recognition added an engaging and democratic element to the event, highlighting photographs that resonated most strongly with fellow members.

The following five images were selected as Member’s Choice favourites:

1. Golden Crowned Kinglet by Selina Wong – 8 Votes
2. Let’s Start – Atlantic Puffin by Adam Wong – 7 Votes
3. Lovely Scratch – Common Murre by Adam Wong – 7 Votes
4. What are You Looking At? by Rick Stokes – 7 Votes
5. Foliage by Cavan Siu – 7 Votes

This element of the exhibition not only celebrated standout work but also reflected the shared values and artistic appreciation of the membership as a whole.

Photo Access
We encourage everyone to take the time to explore the collection and relive the magic of this year’s show.  The individual photos are in this Google Drive Folder
Watch the video recording with Phil and Ron’s commentary.
 
Thank You

We thank all participants, voters, commenters and volunteers who made this event possible. We look forward to another year of photography and nature appreciation in 2026!

You can read more about the Photo Show process, past shows and other activities at Photography Section page.