AG Nature Photographer of the Year 2019: Monochrome shortlist
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June 27, 2019
KING PAIR CONVERSATION
KING PENGUIN
Aptenodytes patagonicus
An enormous king penguin colony is overwhelming to all of one’s senses. Photographically, it pays to sit and watch for a while to find moments of penguin interaction. Flipping the
frame upside down and black-and-white processing allows for a different and creative interpretation of a common scene.
Salisbury Plain, South Georgia Island
Canon EOS 7D Mk II, EF 100–400mm f4.5–5.6 L IS II USM, 1/800, f/10, ISO 400, handheld
Photo Credit: Andrew Peacock, Queensland
SONG BREATH
AUSTRALIAN MAGPIE
Cracticus tibicen
On cold mornings, I noticed that when the local magpies sang, you could see hot air coming from their beaks. They usually stand on my outside table so I set up a black-covered box behind them because I wanted to try and illuminate the ‘smoke’. It took lots
of attempts!
Ashfield, New South Wales
Nikon D850, Nikkor 105mm, 1/320, f/4.5, ISO 4000, handheld
Photo Credit: Angela Robertson-Buchanan, New South Wales
BIG STEP, LITTLE STEP
COMMON WOMBAT
Vombatus ursinus
This mum and baby wombat emerged from their hole up the hill with purpose, and made their way down he hill, straight for another wombat’s hole. Rocky, the mum, was large and strong and powered through the deep snow like a bulldozer. Pebbles, her five-month-old baby, was light enough to walk on top without sinking.
Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales
Nikon D850, Nikon 200–400mm f4, 1/3200, f/4.0, ISO 160
Photo Credit: Charles Davis, New South Wales
THE MOONLIT FOREST
GREATER GLIDER
Petauroides volans
Listed as vulnerable on a national basis, the once-common greater
glider (Petauroides volans) is now facing serious decline. The gliders’
nesting hollows (found in old trees) are being lost in land clearing and industrial-scale logging operations. Gliders need several large, hollow branches in different trees to survive.
Wadbilliga National Park, Tathra, New South Wales
Nikon D500, AF-S Nikkor 200–500mm f5.6 500mm, 1/125, f/5.6, ISO 4000, Manfrotto tripod
Photo Credit: David Gallan, New South Wales
MANTA SERENADE
MANTA RAY
Mobula alfredi
A male manta ray (Mobula alfredi) follows a larger female during a courtship ritual photographed at
Ningaloo Reef Marine Park, Western Australia. The species is classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Mating and birthing locations remain uncertain throughout its range and these behaviours are rarely observed in the wild.
Coral Bay, Ningaloo Reef Marine Park, Western Australia
Canon EOS 5D Mk IV, Canon EF
16–35mm f4 L IS, 1/250, f/10, ISO 200, Nauticam underwater housing, handheld while freediving
ON ICE
WHITE-BELLIED STORM PETREL
Fregetta grallaria
White-bellied storm petrels are one of the smallest seabirds on the planet. Clocking in at 48g, they are a tricky subject to capture. Lord Howe Island is the only place they breed in Australia. With one foot in the smooth water, this storm petrel reminds me of a skater on ice.
Near Balls Pyramid, Lord Howe Island Group
Sony A9, Sony100–400 GM 4.5–5.6, 1/5000, f/7.1, ISO 640, handheld
Photo Credit: Jack C. Shick, Lord Howe Island
LURKING IN THE DARK
COMMON STINGAREE, Trygonoptera testacea
As the sun sets over Jervis Bay and the darkness of night creeps in, these small common stingarees actively patrol the shallow sand flats in search of their next meal. Panning as I took the photo created a wave-like appearance as water moved across the surface of my dome.
Murrays Beach, Jervis Bay, New South Wales
Canon EOS 5DsR, Canon EF 8–15mm f4 L fisheye, 1/200, f/14, ISO 320, two INON Z-240 strobes, AquaTech Elite
5D4 water housing, handheld
TEXTURE
HONEYCOMB MORAY EEL
Gymnothorax favagineus
MAZE CORAL
Leptoria SP.
I came across this amazing juxtaposition of a honeycomb moray eel and a textured brain coral. It screamed monochrome to me, but one
of the significant disadvantages of shooting under water is that you
cannot just change your lens to suit the subject. Still, I slowly moved as close to the eel as possible, increased the depth of field, and adjusted my strobes to light up the coral and the eel.
Banda Sea
Nikon D850, Nikonos 13mm RS, 1/200, f/16, ISO 400, Seacam housing, Ikelite 161s strobe
Photo Credit: Tracey Jennings, United Kingdom/Malaysia
HUMPBACK IN A HURRY!
HUMPBACK WHALE
Megaptera novaeangliae
With barely a sidelong glance at the camera, a male humpback swims in pursuit of a female whale. But other males are pursuing her too. If he is to convince her that he would be a worthy mate, he must demonstrate his speed and endurance. There is no time
to waste!
Vava’u Archipelago, Kingdom of Tonga
Canon 5DSR, EF 24–105mm f4 IS USM, 1/250, f/8, ISO 500, Nauticam underwater housing
Photo Credit: Wade Hughes FRGS, Western Australia
PEAK PERSPECTIVE
UNIDENTIFIED SPECIES
Gently and lovingly, the wind is blowing. The bug is climbing steadily up to the top of the flower. It is hard but staying strong, little buddy. You will definitely get through it. Congratulations! Enjoying your success. Enjoying your moment.
Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra, ACT
Nikon D750, Nikon 105mm macro f2.8, 1/320, f/4.8, ISO 100, handheld
Photo Credit: Yicai Chang, China
The AG Nature Photographer of the Year Awards are sponsored by Coral Expeditions.
Photo Credit:
SONG BREATHAUSTRALIAN MAGPIECracticus tibicenOn cold mornings, I noticed that when the local magpies sang, you could see hot air coming from their beaks. They usually stand on my outside table so I set up a black-covered box behind them because I wanted to try and illuminate the ‘smoke’. It took lotsof attempts!Ashfield, New South WalesNikon D850, Nikkor 105mm, 1/320, f/4.5, ISO 4000, handheld IMAGE CREDIT: Angela Robertson-Buchanan, New South Wales