Intended to examine small elements of nature up close, with the subject to be presented larger than life size. Subject matter includes fauna, flora or natural formation. Note: this category does not include photographs taken through a microscope.
Winner
Liftoff
Talia Greis, New South Wales
Vertical migrations are some of the most remarkable in the world. Billions of animals hide in deep waters then travel to the surface at night to feed under the cover of darkness. This paper nautilus hitched a ride on a passing jellyfish – a truly unique and magical encounter on one of the world’s greatest vertical currents.
Judges' Comments
Technically hard to capture and nicely composed, the photographer has documented charismatic and interesting behaviour with exceptional lighting.
Runner-Up
Peppermint Stick Insect
Jakub Hodáň, Slovakia
Peppermint stick insects are great at camouflaging themselves. Wedged in the slide-shaped Pandanus, they can quickly escape into the denser centre and be hard to photograph. To make the photo more interesting, I used an in-body double exposure of the main subject (left) and the end part of the same leaf (right).
Judges' Comments
The photographer has used symmetry and creative techniques to compose this celebration of the peppermint stick insect. Good use of lighting, depth and shadow reveal the habitat in an accessible way.