As official inkjet printer and paper partner of the 2012 Nature’s Best Photography International Awards, Epson recently produced large-scale photographic prints for display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

The winning entries in one of the world’s most prestigious nature photography competitions—selected from more than 20,000 entries by photographers in 47 countries—were reproduced using Epson’s 1.1-m (44-in.) wide Stylus Pro 9900 piezoelectric inkjet printer and UltraChrome high dynamic range (HDR) inks.

“With the help of imagemakers in the field, we are able to display an extraordinary photographic journey from the wild to the walls of the Smithsonian,” says Steve Freligh, the director of the Windland Smith Rice International Awards. “Using exhibition-quality technology, the images of wildlife and habitats are brought to life, allowing visitors to experience an up-close connection to nature through large-format prints.”

The 48-print exhibition opened on March 30 and is scheduled to run through January 6, 2013, for free viewing by the public. It features prints ranging from 0.6 x 0.9 m (2 x 3 ft) to nearly 1.2 x 1.8 m (4 x 6 ft), including the grand prize winner, Federico Veronesi’s Cape Buffalo Fight (pictured, left), snapped in Kenya; conservation photographer of the year Thomas D. Mangelsen’s Polar Bears (left), taken in Manitoba; the youth photography of the year; and finalists in 15 separate categories.

“We’re delighted our technology is employed in support of science and conservation,” says Rick Day, professional imaging product manager for Epson. “We’re able to depict the true colour and intensity of each of the photos, so visitors feel as if they can fall right into the scenes.”