2025 Yearly Editor's Picks

[David_Kingham]

Hey NPN Community,

The 2025 Editor’s Picks are finally here, and this was one of the most challenging years we’ve ever had making selections. The overall quality of work on NPN right now is exceptionally high, and one of the biggest challenges is the number of photographers producing standout work across multiple categories. Since only one person can receive an award overall, that meant making some genuinely difficult decisions and, in some cases, setting aside exceptional images from photographers who were already in strong contention elsewhere.

I want to start with a sincere thank you to everyone who participated this year. Sharing work, engaging in critique, and contributing to the conversations here all matter. While the images themselves always come first, we do give additional consideration to members who are actively involved in the community throughout the year. NPN is built on participation, and that engagement helps shape the spirit of these picks.

A huge thank-you also goes to our @moderators. Making weekly Editor’s Picks is no small task, especially given the depth of talent on display. Their thoughtful, often difficult choices throughout the year made these final selections possible.

This year, we also want to recognize @Glenyss_Passier, who was in serious contention across almost every category. That level of consistency is rare, and we felt it deserved special acknowledgment.

With that, let’s get into the 2025 Editor’s Picks.

Cheers,
David

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Abstract Nature

First Place

“Ripples and Lichen and Repost” by @Dennis_Plank
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Second Place

“In the Jungle” by @Bonnie_Lampley
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Third Place

“Ephemeral Currents” by @Ronja_Linssen
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Avian

First Place

“Owl” by @Don_Peters
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Second Place

“Bushtit” by @Allen_Brooks
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Third Place

“Female Western Bluebird with Praying Mantis” by @Diane_Miller
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Flora

First Place

“Birch Constellation” by @Dick_Knudson
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Second Place

“Reflecting on a Clear Goal” by @Patrick_Krohn
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Third Place

“Oregon Sunshine” by @John_Williams
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Landscape

First Place

“Heart of Darkness” by @Igor_Doncov
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Second Place

“Angel Fish” by @Ian_Cameron
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Third Place

“Clef Notes or Caligraphy?” by @Lon_Overacker
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Macro/Close-up

First Place

“Bees at the Bird Bath” by @Glenys_Passier
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Second Place

“Never Let Me Go” by @Mike_Friel
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Third Place

“Eight Wings, One Insect” by @Russell_Carpenter
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Nightscape & Astro

First Place

“Orion and The Shark” by @Youssef_Ismail
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Second Place

“Buena Vista” by @Paul_Holdorf
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Third Place

“Machete Ridge and Milky Way” by @Paul_Dileanis
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Wildlife

First Place

“Lady of the night” by @Ingrid_Vekemans
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Second Place

“Marine Iguana and Lava Lizard” by @Max_Waugh
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Third Place

“Hurry, I’m Thirsty” by @Richard_Sandor
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Everything Else

First Place

“Shades” by @Jim_Gavin
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Second Place

“Reflected Light” by @David_Bostock
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Third Place

“To Cross the Waters” by @Gill_Vanderlip
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Weekly Challenge

First Place

“Listen to the Wind” by @Bill_Fach
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Second Place

“Standing On The Edge” by @Ed_Lowe
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Third Place

“Frosty Mt Burgess Morning” by @Marylynne_Diggs
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Editors’ Special Recognition

Congratulations to @Glenys_Passier, whose work was selected for Editor’s Pick an incredible 27 times this year across seven categories. Beyond the sheer quality of the images, what really stands out is the consistency and range of vision she brings across so many different disciplines of nature photography.

Glenys has been a steady, engaged presence on NPN, and this recognition reflects both the strength of her work and her ongoing participation in the community. A well-earned honor, congratulations, Glenys!

You can view all of Glenys’s images here: Glenys Portfolio

“Desert Oaks”
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“The Gift”
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“Glossy Ibis”
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“Yumbarra Desert Reserve”
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“Yellow-headed Snail Parasite Blowfly”
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“Lace Monitor”
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[Tony_Siciliano]

What a lot of work that must have been! Thanks for putting it together! I do have a beef with the naming of the categories though. Your Landscape top three are all intimate closeups. Fine, they are wonderful photos and there is no arguing with taste. As someone who still loves and takes grand landscapes, though, I feel pushed into a corner. In the majority of words online written by photography influencers “intimate landscapes” are in and grand landscapes are out. There is frequently a “been there, done that, let’s move on” attitude. Fine, again, no arguing with taste. What is “in” in photography has always been in flux. But if one is comprising a list of best photos in all categories, I think you need a “Grand Landscape” category.

[David_Kingham]

Hi Tony, I really appreciate you taking the time to share this, and I completely understand where you’re coming from. This is something I wrestled with during the selection process as well.

The community has leaned more heavily toward intimate landscapes, especially this year, and that naturally shapes what rises to the top. That doesn’t mean grand landscapes are any less valuable or relevant, but it does mean they’re currently less represented in the way the community is posting, engaging, and responding.

I don’t think there’s a simple or immediate fix here, and it’s not something I wanted to rush or force into this year’s picks. The idea of additional or more clearly defined categories is interesting, but it also comes with real challenges, from moderator workload to how complex we make the experience for members.

That said, this is thoughtful feedback and exactly the kind of conversation worth having as we look ahead. I don’t have a clear answer right now, but it’s on my radar, and I appreciate you raising it.

[Preston_Birdwell]

What an absolutely gorgeous and wonderful collection of photographs!

Congratulations to all those whose work is recognized here!

I am sure we are all looking forward to a new year of exceptional photography!
-P

[Max_Waugh]

Big thanks to all of the editors, as well as David and the NPN team, for the hard work this year. Big congratulations to all of the honorees!

[Paul_Breitkreuz]

Congratulations goes out to all of the 2025 NPN EP honorees here. Amazing images throughout all of the genres. A special thank you goes out to David and all of the hard working moderators in each of the categories. Happy New Year to all…

[Dennis_Plank]

Congratulations to all the honorees! This was a very difficult year to choose recommendations. And thank you, David, for streamlining the process a bit more this year!

A special Congratulations to @Glenys_Passier. When I was going through my forums’ weekly picks I realized just how strong your work was.

[Marylynne_Diggs]

Thanks to David and all the moderators, and congratulations to all of the honorees. This place remains the best photography community I have found with the most consistently thoughtful feedback and inspiring contributors.

Happy New Year all!
ML

[Glenys_Passier]

Congratulations to all the honourees! And, a huge thank you to David and the all moderators who have put in the hard yards behind the scenes to make this such a great place.

The level of craftsmanship here is outstanding, and even more impressive is how freely that knowledge is shared. It’s a privilege to be part of a community like this.

I’m genuinely humbled by the “special recognition.”