This year’s curation of AGNPOTY finalists recognises photographers who document rarely seen and astonishing animal behaviour, such as humpback whales bubble-net feeding, or show us scenes captured with a surreal intensity, such as David Dahlenburg’s vibrant landscapes. And we’ve included clever photographs that employ wit and humour, like Maya’s punk pelican, to make us feel connected to the subject.

We hope these photographs ignite your curiosity and wonder, as they did for us, offering artful windows into non-human worlds. They remind us that we must respect and care for nature, with an understanding that humans are not at the centre of existence, nor are they separate from other communities of life.

Overall Winner

Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
Antarctica

DJI Mavic 3, Hasselblad, 1/120, f/2.8, ISO 800

As part of a sailing expedition to Antarctica, I spent a month photographing the unique wildlife across this icy realm. Our vessel approached feeding humpbacks displaying bubble-net feeding. With snow falling and changing visibility, I captured the moment when two humpbacks emerged feeding through a collaborative bubble-net.

Judges’ comments: There is a sense of temporality to this photograph. The movement of the whales and their bubbles tell the story of a sequence of events; you can imagine what happened next. The photographer has used their drone to great effect, depicting the animal behaviour from above. There is poetry in this photograph – we love this one!

Portfolio Winner

Tailings dams have a sinister beauty – the colours are extraordinary. They often contain waste materials, such as toxic chemicals and heavy metals, which can harm birdlife and ground water. It’s estimated that there are around 18,000 tailings dams around the world.

Judges’ comments: This series of photographs addresses human impact on the environment, depicting a terrible beauty that is the often-unseen reality of mining. The photographer has paid great attention to detail, colour and pattern in the creation of this strong collection. Repetition is part of its strength.

Animals in Nature

Winner

Emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri)
Ross Sea, Antarctica

Canon R5, Canon EF400mm f/4 DO IS II USM + Extender RF1.4X, 1/1600, f/9, ISO 500, handheld (supported by snow)

A lone emperor penguin on the fast ice in Antarctica’s far southern reaches of the Ross Sea. We encountered this magnificent bird as it emerged from the water, pausing to preen its feathers. The conditions were extreme, with snow swirling around in 50-knot winds and –20°C temperature.

Judges’ comments: The lighting in this photograph is subtle, ever-so-slightly pink, but it still maintains the colour of the bird. It’s a perfect portrait of this emperor penguin.

Runner-Up

Flesh-footed shearwater (Ardenna carneipes)
Lord Howe Island, New South Wales

Nikon D850, 16-35mm, 1/8, f/6.3, ISO 2000, Profoto A1 flash, handheld

A flesh-footed shearwater soars through endemic kentia palms at sunrise on its way to forage at sea for its fledgling. A weak flash was placed facing the rear of the departing bird, and images were only created once the bird had departed clear of the palms.

Judges’ comments: This is a photograph that takes you by surprise and challenges the viewer to look twice. It turns composition as you might expect it on its head with an unusual perspective of the passing bird and towering palms.

Take a look back at the shortlist:

Aerial

Winner

Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
Yuin Country, near Ulladulla, New South Wales

DJI Mavic 3 Pro, 1/640, f/2.8, ISO 100

Every year, humpback whales migrate south in shallow waters along the east coast of Australia, a spectacle that never ceases to amaze me. While watching this juvenile humpback joyfully breaching from a distance, it created the most incredible unearthly shape of angel wings as it crashed back into the Pacific.

Judges’ comments: The beautiful early morning light captures this whale at the perfect moment. The contrast of the negative space surrounding the whale accentuates its movement.

Runner-Up

Eastern reef egret (Egretta sacra)
Kadjerong Country, Cambridge Gulf, Western Australia

Nikon Z9, Nikon z 24-200mm f6.3, 1/1250, f/8,ISO 800

Flying over the vast mudflats of the Cambridge Gulf, I was looking for crocs or jabiru, not egrets. Set among such amazing tidal patterns, this egret was too hard to overlook.

Judges’ comments: Is it a photo of Mars? Or is it a macro shot? The vast shapes of the landscape could be anything, anywhere. But then, you spot the bird, and you realise the context. The play of light and shadow provides a nice balance.

Take a look back at the shortlist:

Astrophotography

Winner

Arrernte Country, Rainbow Valley
Conservation Reserve, Northern Territory

The sandstone bluffs of Rainbow Valley, or Wurre as it is known to the Arrernte people, are mesmerising under starlight. Lying on red sand under clear skies, I attempted my first ever star-trail image and I’m proud of how I was able to represent this sacred place.

Canon EOS RP, Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM, 1s (foreground), 25s (sky), f/8 (foreground), f/2.8 (sky), ISO 160 (foreground), ISO 1,600 (sky), tripod, stacked images

Judges’ comments: This photograph puts star time and geological time into perspective, helping us to reconsider the passage of time through the stars’ movement and the sandstone bluffs beneath them. The balance of the sky and the foreground have both been carefully considered to create this perfectly executed shot.

Runner-Up

Castle Hill, Aotearoa New Zealand

Canon R5, Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM, 6s and 1.3s exposure (sky), 70s exposure (foreground), f/11 (sky), f/13 (foreground), ISO 4000, tripod

On my recent trip to New Zealand, I was lucky enough to witness a spectacular sight: a moon halo caused by moonlight passing through ice crystals in the atmosphere. This amazing display was made even more beautiful by the unique geological formations of limestone boulders. These formations were shaped over time by weathering and erosion and provided the perfect frame for the moon halo. As if that wasn’t enough, I also got to hear the majestic sound of deer stag calls, adding a touch of wildness to the night and creating an enchanting soundtrack.

Judges’ comments: What a rare phenomenon, and what a treat to capture it! The photographer has demonstrated such presence of mind in composing the foreground, tempting us to follow them down the path all the way to the moon. They have captured an ethereal moment in time.

Take a look back at the shortlist:

Macro

Winner

Net-casting spider (Deinopis sp.)
Kuku-Yalanji Country, Rossville, Queensland

Canon 5D Mark IV, Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM, 1/100, f/13, ISO 500, Godox TT350 flash with homemade shield diffuser, Manfrotto Befree GT XPRO tripod

Spiders of the genus Deinopis have the largest simple eyes of any arthropod. Their photoreceptors are 2000 times more sensitive to light than those of humans. Relying on their well-developed eyesight, they have developed an unusual hunting strategy. They cast their webs at prey that passes or flies underneath them.

Judges’ comments: This is a great use of macro photography. The photographer makes us smaller than what we are through the clever composition of this shot. You are the prey that this spider has been waiting for.

Runner-Up

Spiders (Subfamily Araneinae)
Kuku-Yalanji Country, near Dimbulah, Queensland

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, 1/200, f/11, ISO 320, 2x Godox TT350 flashes, Godox Xpro wireless flash trigger

I noticed this fence full of webs when I was returning from a night out looking for wildlife. Part of it immediately reminded me of a sort of unearthly window to the underworld where many insects had ended their journey that evening. I placed my camera on a tripod while using two off-camera handheld flashes and a wireless flash trigger to get the shot.

Judges’ comments: There’s beauty in the mundane in this unique example of macro photography. The fence post is a simple grid, providing a pedestal for the uniqueness of every spider and the webs that they have spun.

Take a look back at the shortlist:

Landscape

Winner

Tanglefoot (Nothofagus gunnii)
Lairmairrener Country, Tasmania

Canon 5D Mark IV, SIGMA ART 24mm f/1.4, 1/500, f/4.5, ISO 2500, handheld, 3-image panorama

Tanglefoot, deciduous beech, fagus – whatever name you give it, it’s Australia’s only cold-weather deciduous species. Every year, they go from waxy green to fiery reds. Sometimes, if you’re exceptionally lucky, you get to catch them in their fiery turn, under a blanket of snow.

Judges’ comments: The fagus changes colour for such a brief period that taking this photograph in April during a snowstorm is a rare moment indeed. This photograph is an example of right place, right time and right judgement. It’s an ordinary bush scene turned extraordinary.

Runner-Up

Reef starfish (Stichaster australis)
Motukiekie Beach, Aotearoa New Zealand

Canon R5, Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM, 5 bracketed shots (1s, 1/3, 1/10, 1/30, 1/100), f/16, ISO 320, tripod, 8-image panorama

This breathtaking spot on the west coast of New Zealand is a captivating canvas where nature orchestrates a mesmerising symphony. Here, the stars descend from the sky, playing a magical role in creating a tapestry that captivates the eye and the soul. The term ‘Sideralis’ comes from Latin, meaning of the stars or starry. Sideralis Symphonia encapsulates the essence of the scene depicted in this photograph, a celestial performance where the stars themselves seem to join in a harmonious and enchanting display on earth.

Judges’ comments: There is great composition in this shot. The low viewpoint means that we are looking at the scene almost from the perspective of the starfish, down below the horizon. We want to keep searching for more detail.

Take a look back at the shortlist:

Threatened Species

Winner

New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) / Status: Endangered
Port Ross, subantarctic Auckland Islands Group, Aotearoa New Zealand

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II, Canon EF 16-35mm F2.8 LII, 1/320, f/2.8, ISO 1600, handheld

Juvenile sea lions enjoy a stream at the head of Port Ross. Such hideaways are out of reach of sharks, allowing the young animals to develop their swimming skills without fear. Once they’re adept in the water, young male sea lions frequently swim all the way to the New Zealand mainland, a distance of at least 500km.

Judges’ comments: They may be posed like sculptures, but there’s a sense of energy to this photograph. The sea lions have been captured at the perfect moment, caught in the act. This is attentive photography.

Runner-Up

Carnaby’s black-cockatoo (Zanda latirostris) / Status: Endangered
Minang Country, Narrikup, Western Australia

Canon EOS R3, Canon EF 500 F4 L IS II, 1/2000, f/4, ISO 1,250, handheld

A female Carnaby’s black-cockatoo, or Ngoorlark, lets out a distinctive shriek as she flies to perch on a roadside fence. The sunrise backlight enhances her beauty and emphasises why this endangered species has been revered as a totem bird by the Noongar people for many thousands of years.

Judges’ comments: This is a magnificent photo, beautifully captured. The lighting is lovely and creates a natural border around a bird in full flight. Despite how quickly it’s moving, the photograph is sharp, and the bird is perfectly in focus.

Take a look back at the shortlist:

Monochrome

Winner

Dharug Country, Blue Mountains National Park, New South Wales

Canon Eos R5, Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM, 1.6s, f/13, ISO 200, Nisi Polariser filter, tripod

As I grow as a photographer, I’m inspired by my surroundings, visualising metaphors that reflect world events. This waterfall photograph in sepia tones uses a slow shutter speed to create a curtain revealing light through the darkness. Despite chaos and conservation debates, my hope remains: light will prevail through nature’s beauty.

Judges’ comments: The photographer has been attentive to the different tones of the forest. The use of sepia highlights the drama, accentuating the focus of the ferns and playing on the shadows. Ultimately, it tricks the eye – the waterfall could almost be something else.

Runner-Up

Orca (Orcinus orca)
Minang Country, Bremer Bay Canyon, Western Australia

Nikon Z9, Nikon Z 14-30mm f4, 1/500, f/8, ISO 1100

The Bremer Canyon is a meeting place for most of the ocean’s most terrifying creatures. These orcas gather in great numbers to hunt tuna, great white sharks, giant squid and even other, larger, whales. Hanging over the edge of the boat in a 5m swell, I dunked my camera into the water as these young orcas swam beneath the boat.

Judges’ comments: It is an interesting move to document a black-and-white animal in a monochrome category, but it has paid off with this photograph. The orcas almost glow in this underwater scene, balanced by the light beams framing them.

Take a look back at the shortlist:

Our Impact

Winner

Boonwurrung Country, San Remo, Victoria

Leica SL2, Leica Vario-Elmarit 24-90, 60s, f/7.1, ISO 800, aluminium and timber self-made tripod with a harness weight system, shot within a 15–30-minute capture window using underwater camera housings

Unseen 22 combines science and nature in a captivating series of photographs that reveal the discarded ocean debris that has been reclaimed by Mother Nature. A temporary set was constructed in an intertidal zone, taking advantage of a 30-minute window of optimal tidal changes and conditions. The use of short-wave light spectrums, long-exposure photography and the unconventional process of free diving in the darkness with hand-held torches introduces visions that are otherwise invisible to the human eye to showcase life in a way that most of us will never see. This unique perspective highlights the beauty and devastation created by humans.

Judges’ comments: It’s nice to have a positive human impact story winning this category. In this photo we have a reminder that nature can survive, and even thrive, under almost any circumstances. We love this view of the normally invisible spectrum of activity in the ocean.

Runner-Up

Kokatha Country, Outback South Australia

Nikon D810, Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 VR, 70mm, 1/1000, f/2.8, ISO 250, Polariser filter, handheld, captured from 6000ft from a fixed-wing aircraft

Tailings dams hold the remnants of waste products from mining. The striking forms and colours are a reminder of the long-lasting legacy of mining.

Judges’ comments: We don’t associate these colours with nature. They make it immediately obvious that whatever is happening in this photo, it’s not natural and it’s probably not good. But despite it all, there’s an ominous beauty to this chemical waste.

Take a look back at the shortlist:

Junior

Winner

Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)
Ngarrindjeri Country, Encounter Bay, South Australia

Canon SX430 IS, 45x Optical Zoom, 1/1000, f/6.8, ISO 100, handheld

One sunny afternoon in early winter, Australian pelicans balanced on granite rocks at Encounter Bay. They preened and stretched their massive wings and legs with strength and grace. My close-up composition of the pelican’s delicate head and neck feathers, with just a sliver of bill, illustrates their unique elegance.

Judges’ comments: This junior photographer isn’t afraid to do something different! They have composed this photograph in an interesting way, making use of negative space, the rule of thirds, and colour to great effect.

Runner-Up

Green jumping spider (Mopsus mormon)
Yuggera Country, Brisbane, Queensland

Canon M50, Canon EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5- 6.3 IS STM @ 45mm, 1/200, f/11, ISO 1600, handheld, 10mm and 16mm extension tubes, homemade paper diffuser

I found this female green jumping spider in my backyard and struggled to get her in focus as she scurried back and forth, carefully weaving her silk into a nest. Once complete, this nest will be used as a shelter to rest in, and potentially lay her egg-sacs.

Judges’ comments: There is a nice oscillation of scale in this photograph. The spider is small, but it’s made to look large, nestled into the leaves. The blurry foreground transcends the 2D medium of photography into 3D – you almost expect the spider to emerge from the print!

Take a look back at the shortlist:

Exhibition and book

The AGNPOTY 2024 exhibition, featuring all the finalists, can be seen at the South Australian Museum in Adelaide. It opens on 31 August and runs until 3 November. For details see: samuseum.sa.gov.au/c/npoty.

Some of the 2024 exhibition will also be seen at the Australian Museum in Sydney during a ‘Best of’ exhibition, with dates to be advised. See australian.museum for more details. 

Get your copy of the AGNPOTY 2024 catalogue book from the museum gift shops, QBD Bookshops, other good bookstores, or click here to order from our online store.

See last year’s winners:

Related: Winners: 2023 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year