Point Lowly Lighthouse, Whyalla, SA
Since 1883 heritage-listed Point Lowly Lighthouse has stood proudly in Spencer Gulf as the guiding light for ships bound for Port Augusta and Port Pirie. I had seen photographs of this picturesque area and was wondering how I would be able to capture it differently. When I arrived and saw the rocks in the water, I thought there could be potential for them to provide strong interest in the foreground. The next morning, as the sun was rising from one side and a storm front was moving in from the other, the lighthouse continued to deliver its pulsing ray in the midst of the unfolding drama. The rising sun illuminated the rocks in the foreground with an ethereal glow.

Mitchell Falls, Kimberley, WA
This area of the Kimberley is one of the most remote parts of Australia and one of my favourite places. As I recall the moment when I took this photo, I think of a line from an old song by The Eagles – “Call some place Paradise and kiss it goodbye” – and I say a prayer for the preservation of such unique wilderness.

Burra Homestead (Midnight Oil Cottage), Burra, SA
I first immortalised this old farmhouse in my early days as a landscape photographer. The original shot was a rather different view; at that time the surrounding field was an expanse of deep red dirt. But that photograph became one of my most famous shots when it was used on the cover of Midnight Oil’s legendary Diesel and Dust album. How it tickled me when I returned to the area more than 10 years later and the local tourist office gave me directions to “the Midnight Oil house”. While I was there, the farmer came by, so I asked his permission to photograph. He said, “Oh, ever since Ken Duncan took that shot, we’ve had heaps of photographers!” Then I said, “Well, I’m Ken Duncan.” The farmer was a really nice bloke – he even helped me fix something on my Toyota. And he told me the story of these forgotten homesteads that had been abandoned because the harsh climate couldn’t support the original small holdings. At least now – through photography – their legend lives on.

Cable Beach, Broome, WA
Sunset camel rides on beautiful Cable Beach have become something of a tourism icon in Broome. But I remember years ago, when the camel drivers first started the concept, many townspeople did not take kindly to them. In fact, some locals referred to them as ‘mung beaners’ because of their alternate lifestyle. Here, after the camels have passed and the tourists have left for the day, my assistant is enjoying a glorious golden twilight lingering over the famous beach. A lone figure in the scene helps create a connection, for the viewer, with this grand vista.

Yellow Water Billabong, Kakadu National Park, NT
Night falls away, the mist disperses, and the sun slowly begins to rise over the peaceful Yellow Water Billabong at Kakadu. Each dawn an incredible awakening occurs here on the floodplain. A symphony of birdsong is heard and the waters themselves begin to teem with life in a ritual virtually unchanged since the dawn of time.

Haasts Bluff, NT
In the arid Australian outback, ghost gums are a photographer’s best friend, because they lend great contrast to the rich colours of our Red Centre. It’s actually very difficult to keep anything white in the dust of the outback, but these trees somehow manage to retain their ashen pallor. These graceful trees were favourite subjects in many of Albert Namatjira’s paintings. So, when I find a potentially good scene, I often look for ghost gums to provide foreground interest.

Uluru, NT
I love Uluru because it is like the beating heart in the centre of our nation. The Aboriginal people believe it to be the place where all dreams come from. When you stand in the presence of this huge monolith you are humbled by the awesome power of something greater than self. Behind me, the horizon was covered in cloud, and, just when I thought to pack up my gear, light suddenly found its way through a hole in the clouds and produced a wonderful show for me to capture on film. We’re not the ones in control – there is definitely something going on that is bigger than us.

Ormiston Gorge, NT
This was the first time I had been privileged to see water flowing in Ormiston Gorge. But I was so overwhelmed by being there ‘at the right time’ that I ended up spending hours shooting just ponds filled with beautiful reflections, rather than the flow. That night I realised what an opportunity I’d missed and I was determined to return the next morning, praying that the flow would still be there – for I knew it couldn’t last long. Next morning, I was the only person there as I waited in the pre-dawn dark. A pack of four dingoes came rather too close at one point! But when the light came, it proved to be even better than the previous day. And although I had to perch precariously on some very slippery rocks, I was thankful to be able to get this very special shot.

Glen Helen Gorge, NT
Local Aboriginal people call this place Kwarre Tnemaye (which means Girl Standing) and it is a special place for the women. Clearly they know how to choose a really good spot to get away from men and have some time alone. Non-Aboriginal people know this spectacular place in Glen Helen Gorge as The Organ Pipes. I had visited this spot several times when there was very little water in the river. On this visit I was fortunate to be there after rain. Well before sunrise I swam through the gorge with my camera gear in a dry sack, then hiked to this location. The golden glow of the rising sun was a prelude to this defining moment. When the sun cleared the eastern wall, it lit the scene like a grand crescendo. It was as if the organ pipes had come alive and were playing a majestic symphony to the morning.

Secret location, NT
I cannot give away the exact location of this shot; suffice to say it was in a hidden gorge shown to me by a dear Aboriginal friend in central Australia. Out of respect for his community, I can say no more. But the location is not as important as the symbolism of the scene itself. Who would have thought it possible – a ghost gum emerges from a tiny fissure in the cliff face! To me, this tree is a wonderful illustration of boldness and tenacity. 

Long Jetty, Central Coast, NSW
The NSW Central Coast is one of my favourite regions of Australia. In fact, I love it so much that I choose to live here. Part of the charm of this scenic area is its inland waterways and the many old clinker-built boats used to travel those waterways. Here is a classic, 90-year-old wooden dinghy waiting for someone to take it on an adventure. In the background, you can see one of the long jetties for which this area is famous. 

Port Stephens, NSW
As with many coastal communities in Australia, beaches are a main feature of Port Stephens. But the best thing about the beaches in this area is the lack of crowds – even in the height of summer. We waited for a few days here at Zenith Beach, at the eastern end of Tomaree Peninsula, trying to capture the moody light I was looking for. On the day I took this shot, the clouds were swirling around us, creating a kaleidoscope effect with the light. It was a matter of waiting patiently for the sun to illuminate the areas I felt were important and then trying to bring the whole picture together.

Mullimburra Point, South Coast, NSW
Night photography has become much easier since the advent of digital cameras that have the ability to shoot in very low light. This shot was taken about two hours after sunset. I had been at this breathtaking location, Mullimburra Point, for most of the day. As twilight faded, stars slowly began to appear in the moonless sky. It was amazing to watch the dark canvas being painted with starry jewels. When the time was right, I took a long exposure and used a flash to ‘paint’ certain sections of the scene.

Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, WA
This is just one of WA’s many natural wonders – a canal hollowed out along the coast between a series of granite outcrops. It is located in Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, about three hours south of Perth.