Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2010: winners announced

Hungarian photographer Bence Máté has been announced as the 2010 Wildlife Photographer of the Year for his seminal image A Marvel of Ants. Photographed during a six month stint in Costa Rica, the photograph was the result of tireless patience, a high pain threshold (lying on the ground to take the shot he was attacked by skin-digesting mite larvae, which covered him in bites) and strategic use of a flashgun. 

The shot was taken from a portfolio which was awarded the competition's Erik Hosking Award, given in memory of the pioneering bird photographer to the six images that represent the best work of photographers between the ages of 18 and 26. 

The competition, which is held by the Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife Magazine, included a new category for 2010: Wildlife Photojournalist of the Year, which, together with the One Earth Award set a different tone for the award. Photojournalist Mark Leong was presented with the new award for his stark images documenting the multi-billion-dollar 'wildlife product industry'.

Follow the link to details of WildPhotos 2010, a two-day wildlife photography seminar held this weekend at London's Royal Geographical Society, which will close with a series of unique behind the scenes presentations by the winners of the competition.