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Water Bears

Most people think of bears as land creatures, but some spend as much time in the water as on land. These coastal Alaska Brown Bears are shown here reveling in their watery habitat while hunting, playing and shaking out their coats.

Awards

Black & White Photo Contest

2026

Nominee

Wildlife

Non Professional

Water Bears

Most people think of bears as land creatures, but some spend as much time in the water as on land. These coastal Alaska Brown Bears are shown here reveling in their watery habitat while hunting, playing and shaking out their coats.

About Artist

Charles Janson

My journey to nature photography emerged from growing up near and in New York City, where opportunities for nature experience were relatively few, but opportunities for visual experience were many. From my art historian parents I learned to appreciate how human stories are conveyed through diverse styles of art, from abstract to realistic, from documentary to dramatic. In my career as a researcher of animal behavior, I used photography to capture fleeting moments of action and interaction. Now retired, I use photography to communicate my love of nature and to reinforce the viewer’s connection to our beautiful and diverse planet. On occasion, I lead photography tours to exciting destinations in the USA. I have won prizes (top three placements) in numerous international photo contests: Natural Landscape Awards, Share the View (three times), Nature Photographer of the Year. My work has been juried into gallery shows (Radius Gallery, Missoula; Decode Gallery, Tucson) and recognized with Honorable Mentions or in award Shortlists in a broad array of photography competitions (Natural Landscape Awards, Sony International Photo Awards, Siena International Photo Awards, WildPhoto, ExposureOne, Monochrome Photography Awards, Share The View, NANPA Showcase, Travel Photographer of the Year, Nature's Best International Competition, Nature's Best National Parks, Artist Gallery Awards, Wildlife Comedy Awards, Audubon Photography Award, The Nature Conservancy, among others). My images have also appeared in print both physically (National Geographic Books, Natural History Magazine, Rocky Mountain National Park, Natural Landscape Awards, Audubon Society 2025 Annual Report, Sony World Photography Awards 2024, NANPA Expressions 2024, The Red Fox Families of San Juan Island, Natural Landscape 4) as well as digitally (only a few highlights: Wildlife Comedy Awards, Audubon Society, Popular Science).

Charles Janson

Photographic Areas of Focus

Abstract, Aerial, Landscapes, Macro, Nature, Wildlife

Location

United States of America

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Honorable Mention
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Silver
Devon Jenkin

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YZ

Ying Zhou Tan

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