Since 2004 photographers of all ages, skill levels, and nationalities have submitted images of fauna, flora or landscapes in Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and New Guinea regions to the competition. This year’s judges, Nicky Catley, Doug Gimesy and Prof. Charlie Huveneers scrutinised a record 2,443 entries from 602 photographers across 10 countries – the highest number of entries in the competition’s history to create a shortlist of just 98 images.

Director of the South Australian Museum Brian Oldman said that the last few years have offered photographers a unique period of reflection as the whole world grappled with the impacts of the pandemic.

“The pandemic forced many of us to slow down and be inspired by nature, many of us reconnecting with it and being reminded of its beauty. As regular life returns, and the world opens up these images are the perfect inspiration to continue to deepen our relationship with the natural world and reflect on our impact.”

Due to the growth of the competition over the past 18 years, the South Australian Museum has expanded and revised the categories in 2022 with the addition of Astrophotography, Animals in Nature and Urban Animals.

“The new categories allow photographers to explore themes that the competition has not before. The Astrophotography category reminds us to look up and depicts nature at its most mesmerising while the Urban Animals category reminds us of the fragility of our coexistence with nature,” Mr Oldman added.

From stunning shots of celestial skies, to animals captured in spectacular moments, the 2022 shortlist offers a snapshot of images from some of the world’s most talented nature photographers.

The competition encompasses categories including Botanical, Junior, Landscape, Monochrome, Our Impact, Threatened Species, Astrophotography, Animals in Nature, Urban Animals and the Portfolio Prize.  

On Thursday 25 August 2022 the South Australian Museum will announce the overall winner, category winners, runners-up and the portfolio prize.

Australian Geographic, Editor-in-Chief, Chrissie Goldrick said,

“What a visual feast this year’s shortlisted entries provide. We have been confined in so many ways during the past couple of years, but photographers have taken every opportunity to get outdoors to document the natural environment. It proves that you don’t have to travel very far to immerse yourself in nature in this extraordinary and diverse bioregion of the world, and the work of these dedicated, talented photographers provides inspiration to do just that.”

The resulting exhibition will open at the South Australian Museum from Saturday 27 August and run until Sunday 30 October 2022.

For further information and to view the shortlist please visit: https://www.samuseum.sa.gov.au/c/npoty/gallery