CHRIS TITLEY previews a major new photography exhibition in York.

WE are used to wildlife invading our living rooms. David Attenborough has broadcast more sex and death than Dennis Potter and Footballers' Wives put together, winning awards for his tooth and claw close-ups of the natural world.

But there is something the still photograph can capture that will evade even the most intrepid jungle documentary.

These stunning images have a power all of their own. They evoke shock and awe at the majestic variety of life on earth.

The five photographs on these pages are among the winners of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition organised by the Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife Magazine.

From today all 109 winning and highly commended images from the 2003 competition are on display at the Yorkshire Museum in York.

Martin Watts, director of lifelong learning at York Museums Trust, said: "We are thrilled to once again welcome this prestigious touring exhibition to the Yorkshire Museum, the home of a scientifically and historically-important natural history collection."

The overall winning image of a young boy looking through a zoo window at a majestic gorilla, by German photographer Gerhard Schulz, was among more than 20,500 entries, from over 60 countries.

Rosamund Kidman-Cox, judge and editor of BBC Wildlife Magazine, said: "Gorilla And Boy is a picture with layers of meaning - as the best always are.

"It has captured a moment when the two primates appear caught in thought - the gorilla resigned and looking out of the picture and the boy seeming in earnest thought, himself incarcerated in gloom.

"It leaves you to draw the conclusions. It also proves that, to create an unforgettable image of the natural world, you don't always have to travel to far-away places. What you do need, though, is the foresight to see a story and an artist's eye to encapsulate it."

The photographic exhibition runs at the Yorkshire Museum until June 13

Picture: Gorilla And Boy - Gerhard Schulz (Germany)

"From the other side of the gorilla house at Miami Metrozoo in Florida, I could watch the visitors' reactions as they encountered their relatives at close quarters. Many people came by, pointed at the lowland gorillas and continued on their way, but this boy stopped and stared in awe.

"It was their expressions that made such an impression on me. There was such a depth of feeling in the gorilla's eyes, and the boy leant against the glass as if he wanted to reach through and make contact. It was a poignant juxtaposition."

Updated: 16:12 Friday, May 07, 2004