NEXT GALLERY: Landscape shortlist

See the shortlist of stunning landscape photos entered in the 2016 AG Nature Photographer of the Year competition here.

Luminous Fungi

Ghost fungi, Omphalotus nidiformis

The ghost fungi, Omphalotus nidiformis, is eye catching in the daylight hours. But it is after dark when it truly comes to life. Visible to the eye, a long exposure was all that was needed to pick up the haunting luminosity of this remarkable fungus.

Booderee National Park, New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory

Canon 6D, EF 16-35 mm f/2.8L II USM, 15, f/8, ISO 1600, tripod

Banksia Dreaming

Banksia, Banksia sp.

Banksia flowers are more often than not seen in flat, front-on light, variations on daylight. Back light at night, however, reveals a much different character and highlights forms and nuances not otherwise seen.

Bensville, New South Wales

Canon 1DX, Tamron 90 mm, 0.8, f/18, ISO 100, tripod, LED torch from below to light flower

Ying Yang Palm

Palm, Arecaceae

Walking with my camera through Echidna Chasm, in Purnululu National Park, Western Australia, I noticed one lone palm high up. I composed a ‘ying and yang’ effect, with the sky and rock mirroring each other exactly, leaving the palm and red rock as the central focal points.

Echidna Chasm, Purnululu National Park, Western Australia

Nikon D810, Nikon 24-70 mm f2.8, 1/400, f/8, ISO 320, handheld

Aligning Planets

Grass tree, xanthorrhoea sp.

Two planets align, Venus and Jupiter, aside this giant grass tree. Off camera flash was used to backlight and add/keep important detail in the shot. Perfectly still conditions were also required to set this up.

Flinders Ranges, South Australia

Nikon D800, Nikon Lens 14-24 mm, 30, f/2.8, ISO 3200, flash off camera, tripod

Mist Shower

New England National Park was registered as a World Heritage area in 1986, due to the universal significance of its biological and landscape values. The park’s genetic diversity and natural cycles remain unaltered, which has allowed the survival and evolution of rainforest species over geological time.

New England National Park, New South Wales

Canon 6D, Canon 16-35 mm f/2.8, 2.5, f/13, ISO 200, tripod and circular polarised filter

Remnants of Fall

Unidentified species

Vibrant autumn colors can be found not only on the trees and hillsides of Arrowtown, but also in more intimate and hidden pockets of nature. A fallen leaf delicately floats upon the oily surface of a shallow pool of water along the banks of Arrow River.

Arrowtown, South Island, New Zealand

Canon 5D Mk III, Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS II USM + Canon 1.4ext III, 1/40, f/16, ISO 800, Singh-Ray LB warming circular polarizer, tripod

Masters of Wind

Sedge, Cyathochaeta equitans

The delicate appearance of these spent anthers and filaments masks their strength: they are usually flailing about like streamers. Sedge anthers and stigmas are often prominent and striking as many like these (Cyathochaeta equitans) are wind pollinated.

Torndirrup Peninsula, Albany, Western Australia

Canon EOS 5D Mk III, EF 100mm f2.8L macro IS USM, 1/640, f/9 exp +2, ISO 400, tripod.