The Natural Look Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year Exhibition at the Australian Museum
22 June, 2024, Sydney: A blazing bushfire, and a curious crocodile are in frame at the 2023 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year (AGNPY) exhibition, which opens at the Australian Museum (AM) in Sydney, 22 June, 2024
Animals in Nature: Neighbour’s Dispute by Ofer Levy.
Image: Ofer Levy
© Ofer Levy (Conditional use only for AGNPY)
This free exhibition, produced by the South Australian Museum, shines a light on the astonishing array of flora, fauna and landscapes found across Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and New Guinea. It features more than 95 exhibition finalists images selected from over 2882 submissions.
Australian Museum Director & CEO, Kim McKay AO, highlighted the exhibition’s importance of bringing into focus the natural world’s beauty, ferocity and fragility.
“With its strong environmental narrative, this exhibition offers visitors a new perspective by capturing powerful and profound moments in nature. Through these photographs we are asked to think more deeply about our natural world, and our footprint on the earth,” Kim McKay said.
“As Australia’s first museum, and as the steward of our vast collection, the AM is a leader in natural history and scientific research. Not only are we devoted to exhibiting the natural beauty of our world, but we are also dedicated to highlighting environmental conservation, and raising awareness of the challenges the natural world is facing.”
“In bringing this iconic exhibition to the Australian Museum, we hope the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year inspires visitors to connect to the importance of preserving and protecting wildlife and the environment."
Animals in Nature: World’s Deadliest by Damien Esquerré.
Image: Damien Esquerré
© Damien Esquerré (Conditional use only for AGNPY)
To coincide with the exhibition, the Australian Museum has developed a series of Digital Wildlife Photography Workshops, led by award-winning nature photographer and Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year finalist, Angela Robertson-Buchanan. The interactive workshops for both beginner and intermediate photographers shares the foundational and advanced techniques of ethical wildlife photography, and participants will be able to apply their new skills in photographing the AM’s taxidermy collection, as well as a selection of live native animals.
The Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year (AGNPY) exhibition includes a wide array of categories, including: Animals in Nature, Urban Animals, Macro, Landscape, Threatened Species, Monochrome, Astrophotography, Junior, Our Impact, and Portfolio. Highlights include Matty Smith’s shot of male cuttlefish during courting season, which topped the Animals in Nature category, and Tom Owen Edmunds’s Urban Animals-winning iPhone 11 shot of a green tree frog at home in a steel toilet bowl.
The exhibition’s overall winning image, My Country Burns, which also won the ‘Our Impact’ category, was taken by NSW photographer Samuel Markham, who took the winning photograph while defending his home during the devastating bushfires of 2019.
"Nothing can prepare someone for being straight in the line of a pyrocumulonimbus firestorm with a built-in flashover and temperatures exceeding 1000°C," Samuel Markham said.
Visitors to the Australian Museum can view the free exhibition in Hintze Hall, from 22 June, 2024.
Overall Winner: My Country Burns by Samuel Markham, New South Wales
Nothing can prepare someone for being straight in the line of a pyrocumulonimbus firestorm with a built-in flashover and temperatures exceeding 1000°C. While protecting my home on New Year’s Eve 2019, daylight turned into darkness with 40m-plus flames. Image taken 20 minutes after the fire front had passed.
Image: Samuel Markham
© Samuel Markham (Conditional use only for AGNPY)
Exhibition Details:
- Dates: 22 June – 13 October 2024.
- Free entry
- More information: here
Workshop Details:
- Digital Wildlife Photography Workshop (Beginner)
- Dates: 27 July 2024 | 7 & 8 September 2024
- Times: 10.30am – 1.30pm. Cost: Members: $140, Adult: $175, Concession: $157.50
- Digital Wildlife Photography Workshop (Intermediate) Frog in a Bog - Tom Owen Edmunds
- Dates: 27 July 2024 | 7 & 8 September 2024
- Times: 2.30pm – 5.30pm. Cost: Members: $140, Adult: $175, Concession: $157.50. Recommended for: 16+ years
Editor’s Note: Images, Biographies here:
Download the media release
The Australian Museum (AM) was founded in 1827 and is the nation’s first museum. It is internationally recognised as a natural science and culture institution focused on Australia and the Pacific. The AM’s mission is to ignite wonder, inspire debate and drive change. The AM’s vision is to be a leading voice for the richness of life, the Earth and culture in Australia and the Pacific. The AM commits to transforming the conversation around climate change, the environment and wildlife conservation; to being a strong advocate for First Nations cultures; and to continuing to develop world-leading science, collections, exhibitions and education programs. With 22 million objects and specimens and the Australian Museum Research Institute (AMRI), the AM is not only a dynamic source of reliable scientific information on some of the most pressing environmental and social challenges facing our region, but also an important site of cultural exchange and learning.
About the South Australian Museum
The South Australian Museum has been committed to making Australia’s natural and cultural heritage accessible, engaging and fun for over 165 years. It is a place where families can learn and grow together. Today the Museum is one of the most visited museums in Australia and holds collections of national and international significance.
Media Contacts
Australian Museum:
Claire Vince, Media Advisor
T 0468 726 910
E Claire.Vince@Australian.Museum
