A Year In Images

As we leave behind the tumultuous year of 2016, Andy Blackmore asks the picture editors and photographers of major agencies, publications and organisations to choose their stand-out images from the past 12 months.

- 

John Childs

Sports editor, Getty Images

My favourite image of 2016 is this picture of Chad Le Clos as he looks up at Michael Phelps during the final few metres of the men’s 200m butterfly final at the Rio Olympics.

It happened for a split second but Getty Images’ staff photographer Adam Pretty captured the moment to perfection. It shows Phelps’ utter determination and concentration, at the same time as showing Le Clos realising that he couldn’t catch his arch rival. Phelps went on to win his 20th Olympic gold medal and reclaim the 200m butterfly Olympic crown from Le Clos.

The rivalry between the two swimmers had, by this time, become legendary. This image shows just why Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time. www.adampretty.com

Ray Wells

Picture editor, The Sunday Times

I’m a great admirer of David Yarrow’s work, and the patience and technical skill that are a prerequisite for wildlife photography at the highest standard. This shot of eight Siberian tigers gazing with nonchalant indifference over a -25°C snow scene in Harbin, north-east China, looks deceptively simple. For one thing, they aren’t moving with interest down the slope towards the photographer!

To get a photo as good as this takes a huge amount of time, planning and cooperation on the ground, plus, in the case of this image, 25 chickens for the tigers to eat. Shot pin-sharp on an 85mm portrait lens from the back of a truck at the only time of day possible for the light, animal studies do not come much better than this. Visit www. davidyarrow.photography.com

Jeff Moore

Photographer and founder member of the British Press Photographers’ Association