Photography Competition Category Three:
The Natural World
This is the culmination of the three exciting categories introduced for our 50th Year celebrations. Winning photographs showcase the natural world, depict the complex relationship between humans and nature, and illustrate threatened wildlife. It is through these images, that we can raise awareness and advocate for the conservation of wildlife and wild places!
The Natural World – Winning Image:
Winner: Jake Wilton
‘Cuttlefish Congregation’
An Australian male giant cuttlefish patrols the shallow coastline off Point Lowly in South Australia in search of a mate. The area plays host to the largest aggregation of cuttlefish anywhere in the world with up to 100,000 animals visiting to mate between May and July.
Location: Point Lowly, South Australia, Australia
Camera/Lens: Nikon Z7II, 14-24mm f/2.8 s Nikkor lens
Highly Commended: Karthik Subramaniam
‘Revelry in a River’
Two coastal brown bears play-fight in a river. I began observing these two when I noticed them in close proximity. I captured a series of photos of them play-fighting, but this one drew me in because one of the bears looked straight at my direction while shaking her head, swirling water around.
Location: Brooks Falls, Alaska, United States
Camera/Lens: Sony A1 camera, Sony 600 f/4 GM lens
Finalist: Brandon Berry
‘Dream Weaver’
A weaver bird clings to its nest in Maasai Mara National Reserve, suspended from a thorny tree as a method of protection against predators. The bright sky created a blank canvas for the colourful male to stand out on.
Location: Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, Africa
Camera/Lens: Sony A7iii, Sony 100-400mm GM lens
Finalist: Ivan Glaser
‘A High-Speed Hunt’
Cheetah brothers successfully hunt a Topi, after a chase reaching speeds of up to 100 kilometres per hour! Cheetahs are one of the most successful hunters on the savanna but their kills are very often stolen by lions or hyena.
Location: Maasai Mara National Park, Kenya
Camera/Lens: Nikon Z9 with a Nikon 180-400mm f/4 lens
Finalist: Brandon Berry
‘King of the Dune’
A coyote rests atop a backdrop of sand dunes in Baja California Sur. The coyote was indifferent to my presence which allowed for a wide image of the dunes while still keeping the coyote as the focal point of the image.
Location: Baja California Sur, Mexico
Camera/Lens: Sony A7iii, Sony 16-35mm GM