Shortlist: 2023 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
Here are some of the shortlisted images for the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year awards for 2023, showcasing the year’s best wildlife and landscape photos.
By
AG STAFF•
11 June 2023
This photograph, titled 'Neighbour's Dispute', has been shortlisted in the Animals in Nature category of this year's awards.Image credit: Ofer Levy
Welcome to the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year collection for 2023.
Our involvement with this competition is very much part of our mission to encourage photography of our region’s landscapes and wildlife. Our region offers so much for any would-be photographer, and not just in our wild and remote areas. The flora and fauna in our backyards and city parks are all worthy subjects too. Photography encourages you to look carefully at the world around you. It increases knowledge and understanding, and raises awareness. Nature photographers are active conservationists, and that is the real power of this competition. Some of us will be looking carefully at the f-stop number or the lens type, but for most, it’s a chance to be inspired by the beauty of nature.
We commend all those who entered (550 amazing photographers) and extend our gratitude to this year’s judges, Mike Langford, Adjunct Professor Wayne Quilliam and Jackie Ranken, who faced an epic task evaluating more than 2000 entries.
And this year it was even harder, with a new category attracting awe-inspiring images.
“This year we introduced the well-received macro category, with photographers submitting incredible larger-than-life-sized images of nature’s smallest scenes,” says the Museum’s acting director Justine van Mourik.
That meant there were 10 categories this year:
Animals in Nature
Urban Animals
Macro
Landscape
Threatened Species
Monochrome
Astrophotography
Our Impact
Junior
Portfolio
Australian Geographic Editor-in-Chief, Chrissie Goldrick, says “It’s great to see the way this competition evolves year on year, adding new categories that invite photographers to look at fresh ways of documenting the natural world and engaging the viewer. Nature has never been at greater risk than now and the talented photographers who participate in the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year have a golden opportunity to help focus attention on the precious things we stand to lose. Congratulations to all who have been shortlisted and I would also like to commend all who entered for your passion and dedication to your craft.”
The awards are a partnership between Australian Geographic and the South Australian Museum, who produce the competition and accompanying exhibition. The museum will announce the overall winner, category winners, runners-up and the Portfolio Prize in August.
Until then, here’s a look at the shortlisted images: