The 1839 Awards take their name from the year photography was first made widely available to the public, and today they continue that legacy by celebrating photographers who use the medium as a form of creative expression. Across their global competitions, the platform brings together artists from all over the world, all exploring photography as a way to tell stories, capture emotion, and see the world differently.
In the Color Photography Contest, that idea comes to life through bold, vibrant imagery, and this year’s animal category winners are a perfect example. Scroll down to explore the wildlife moments captured in these winning shots and see just how powerful and expressive animal photography can be.
#1 Honorable Mention: The Golden Gaze By Saleh Alshamali
"Intense portrait of a tiger emerging from the shadows. This shot emphasizes the contrast between the vibrant coat and the dark surroundings, focusing on the soulful yet fierce expression in its eyes."
Report
17points
#2 Honorable Mention: Edge Of Independence By Laura Dyer
A mother cheetah and her three youngsters, almost ready to leave her and start their solitary lives, here pictured as if the edge of independence is coming closer quickly, in different poses, a state of urgency in the stormy clouds above.
Report
16points
#3 Nominee: Sanctuary By Remuna Beca
East Indian Manatees rest in Florida's fresh water springs, their winter sanctuary.
Report
15points
#4 Nominee: Chromatic Grace By Saleh Alshamali
A vibrant portrait of a lilac-breasted roller captured in soft natural light. The image highlights the bird’s striking colors and delicate feather detail, set against a smooth, blurred background that enhances its calm presence and natural elegance.
Report
15points
#5 Nominee: Call Of A Puffin By Isabella Robbeson
At Hornoya, Norway, I made this lovely picture of this Puffin. I had my 400-800mm with me so I could make this portrait. This island is protected and only under supervision you can visit this. Ofcourse it's not allowed to disturb the birds. It's important we protect this species.
Report
15points
#6 Nominee: Intimidating Power By Ammon Jeffs
Bison often move down the groomed roads in Yellowstone during the winter, because it allows easier movement. This gorgeous bull is in the Hayden Valley, where large bison bulls often remain the entire winter.
Report
14points
#7 Honorable Mention: Bound By Care By Saleh Alshamali
A quiet moment of protection, where vulnerability rests within strength. In the mother’s embrace, instinct and tenderness merge, revealing a silent story of trust, care, and survival.
Report
13points
#8 Nominee: Rare Portrait By Remuna Beca
A portrait of a Dugong captured in the southern Egyptian Red Sea. With fewer than thirty individuals thought to remain in the region, encounters like this are exceptionally rare.
Report
12points
#9 Nominee: The Next Generation Ascends By Jodi Frediani
A humpback whale mother and calf rise to the surface amidst streaming sunrays. The mother extends her pectoral fin as if to urge her infant upward. The sunrays add an otherworldly touch, accenting the extraterrestrial nature of these ocean dwelling leviathans. Swimming with whales buoys the soul.
Report
11points
#10 Bronze: Sea Lion Smile By Remuna Beca
A curious Australian sea lion, the world’s most endangered pinniped, smiles at the camera among vibrant kelp in South Australia’s clear waters.
Report
11points
#11 Nominee: Jasper By Tamara Christian
A social juvenile Goliath grouper enjoys playing with divers on the reefs of Palm Beach.
Report
10points
#12 Nominee: Gentle Reflection By Dave Shaffer
A young Black bear pauses and reflects for a moment as she crosses a beaver dam.
Report
10points
#13 Nominee: Silent Strength By Saleh Alshamali
A quiet portrait capturing the depth of emotion within a chimpanzee’s gaze. Strength is not always loud — sometimes, it exists in stillness, in presence, and in the unspoken connection between viewer and subject.
Report
10points
#15 Silver: Ignition By Claudio Piccoli
It's a border collie spreading a lot of energy in a discdog catching moment. With this photo I want to represent the burning fire that is inside a dog in action. I love to represent dogs in action because where dogs move life flows from my point of view.
Report
10points
#16 Honorable Mention: Ancient Gaze By Saleh Alshamali
An intimate macro portrait revealing the intricate textures and primal intensity of a reptile’s eye. Every scale tells a story of resilience, evolution, and silent power shaped by time. A close encounter with a living relic of the wild.
Report
8points
#17 Honorable Mention: Striking Distance By Remuna Beca
A striped marlin closes in on a bait ball, capturing the speed, precision, and tension of the hunt.
Report
8points
#19 Gold: Little Bird By Anne Neiwand
A solitary bird stands against melting ice, positioned as witness within a changing world. The image contemplates isolation, survival and the accelerating fragility of frozen landscapes.
Report
8points
#20 Honorable Mention: Sunfish Snack By Jodi Frediani
Often, we see Ocean sunfish resting on their sides at the surface. This one, with its large expressive eyes, busy feeding, popped its head above the surface to successfully slurp up one of the small, blue gelatinous creatures that found its way into the bay on currents with the help of the wind.
Report
8points