The putting motion wildlife {photograph}, A Surprise Flight, has been shortlisted for the LCE Photographer of the Year 2026 Awards.
Amateur photographer Louise Norris captured the dramatic scene with a Canon mirrorless digicam that excels in frames-per-second charges and a premium telephoto lens to get as near the motion as attainable.
Join the announcement
LCE Photographer of the Year 2026 Awards can be introduced on March 15, 2026, from 14:00 to 14:45 on the Creator Stage on the Photography & Video Show. For extra information, go to the show’s website.
What makes this shot particularly exceptional is that Norris achieved it at an ISO of 20,000, an exceptionally excessive setting that the majority photographers in all probability would take into account extraordinarily difficult to reveal with.
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Yet she managed to stability the restricted early-morning mild with a shutter pace of 1/800, holding the osprey’s head razor sharp whereas permitting only a trace of movement blur within the wings to convey vitality.
The winners can be introduced at The Photography & Video Show 2026 in Birmingham – and sure, pictures followers can watch the motion unfold in individual! In the meantime, let’s check out why this {photograph} is a high contender.
Finalist within the class: Action
A Surprise Flight by Louise Norris
Tech details
Gear: Canon EOS R6 Mark II + RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Exposure: 1/800 sec, f/5.6, ISO 20000
Norris says, “When osprey chicks are still young, and whilst the female remains on the nest, the male must work tirelessly to provide food for their family, often fishing before dawn in attempts to beat competing males to the catch.
“This image was taken at 4.30am using an ISO of 20,000 carefully balancing the shutter speed with the limited available light and at the same time the need to keep the image sharp.
“I was fortunate to be directly in front of this osprey as he dramatically emerged from the water towards me with his prey, who appeared particularly shocked to be on an unexpected early morning flight.
“The image aims to highlight the intensity of the bird’s stare with the surrounding splash adding to the action and energy of the scene all whilst conveying the story of the hunt.
“The shutter speed of 1/800 second retains detail in the head whilst allowing slight blur in the wing tips showing the movement and effort of the weighted take-off.”
Why it could win
1. Intense action frozen with controlled motion
The osprey emerges from water mid-flight, its head perfectly sharp while the slightly blurred wing tips convey dynamic energy.
2. Masterfully ISO and shutter speed handling
ISO 20,000 is carefully balanced with a fast shutter speed, capturing the early-morning drama without losing detail or introducing noise that would distract from the subject.
3. Narrative storytelling & timing
The bird’s startled prey and focused gaze highlight the intensity of the hunt, creating a visual story of survival, capturing the raw energy of nature and the decisive moment of predation.
4. Dramatic composition
The central framing and splash around the subject amplify the sense of sudden, powerful motion perfectly.
The LCE POTY Awards
The LCE Photographer of the Year 2026 Awards, organized by photo retailer London Camera Exchange, celebrate outstanding photography across 14 diverse categories, including landscape, portrait, macro, street, and more.
Open to photographers of all experience levels, the free-to-enter competition features a £10,000 prize fund, a People’s Choice Award, and an Emerging Talent Award.
For more information, visit the LCE POTY website.
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