57th Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition

Images from the 57th annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year, run by the Natural History Museum in London, are now on display in an exhibition at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney. The exhibition features over 100 images revealing fascinating animal behaviour, spectacular species, and the breathtaking diversity of the natural world. Follow this link to book tickets.

Top row: Beautiful bloodsucker © Gil Wizen (Israel Canada), Deep feelers © Laurent Ballesta (France), Ice bear as sea bear © Martin Gregus (Canada).
Bottom row: Lynx on the threshold © Sergio Marijuan (Spain), Out of the black © Cristobal Serrano (Spain), Stardust © Christian Spencer (Australia).
Beautiful bloodsucker © Gil Wizen (Israel Canada).
Deep feelers © Laurent Ballesta (France).
Ice bear as sea bear © Martin Gregus (Canada).
Lynx on the threshold © Sergio Marijuan (Spain).
Out of the black © Cristobal Serrano (Spain).
Stardust © Christian Spencer (Australia).
Top row: Beautiful bloodsucker © Gil Wizen (Israel Canada), Deep feelers © Laurent Ballesta (France), Ice bear as sea bear © Martin Gregus (Canada). Bottom row: Lynx on the threshold © Sergio Marijuan (Spain), Out of the black © Cristobal Serrano (Spain), Stardust © Christian Spencer (Australia).

The 2021 Wildlife Photographer of the Year was French underwater photographer and biologist Laurent Ballesta for his image, Creation. The image, that captures camouflage groupers exiting their milky cloud of eggs and sperm in Fakarava, French Polynesia

Australian wildlife photographer Justin Gilligan took out the Plants and Fungi category with his portrait, Rich Reflections, which depicts a marine ranger admiring seaweed off the coast of Lord Howe Island.

Adam Oswell won the Photojournalism category, with his image, Elephant in the Room, of a young elephant performing underwater for crowds in Thailand.

© Adam Oswell (Australia). Elephant in the room. Adam Oswell draws attention to zoo visitors watching a young elephant perform under water. Although this performance was promoted as educational and as exercise for the elephants, Oswell was disturbed by this scene. Organisations concerned with the welfare of captive elephants view performances like these as exploitative because they encourage unnatural behaviour. Elephant tourism has increased across Asia. In Thailand there are now more elephants in captivity than in the wild. The COVID-19 pandemic caused international tourism to collapse, leading to elephant sanctuaries becoming overwhelmed with animals that can no longer be looked after by their owners.
© Adam Oswell (Australia). Elephant in the room. Adam Oswell draws attention to zoo visitors watching a young elephant perform under water. Although this performance was promoted as educational and as exercise for the elephants, Oswell was disturbed by this scene. Organisations concerned with the welfare of captive elephants view performances like these as exploitative because they encourage unnatural behaviour. Elephant tourism has increased across Asia. In Thailand there are now more elephants in captivity than in the wild. The COVID-19 pandemic caused international tourism to collapse, leading to elephant sanctuaries becoming overwhelmed with animals that can no longer be looked after by their owners.

Australians receiving Highly Commended awards included Caitlin Henderson (Behaviour: Invertebrates), Douglas Gimesy (Behaviour: Mammals), Juergen Freund (Plants and Fungi), Christian Spencer (Natural Artistry), Douglas Gimesy (Photojournalism).

Check out the category winners from the 57th annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year at this link.

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August

Sydney: The photographs in Max Dupain: Student Life were taken at the University of Sydney in the early 1950s, a period of rapid change marked by the politics of the Cold War.

September

Canberra: This collection-in-focus display highlights William Yang’s photography of Sydney Mardi Gras festivals between 1981 and 2003.

October

Brisbane: Mikaela spent time looking through Graham’s archive of negatives, though it was his social documentary images that she constantly returned to, especially as there were so many compelling photographs that had never been printed.

Brisbane: Until 13 July 2025. Amateur Brisbane photographer Alfred Henrie Elliott (1870-1954) extraordinary images lay dormant for decades until they were discovered only recently. This exhibition is curated by seven Brisbane photographers.

November

Sydney: Chrissie Hall specialises in advertising, fashion, portraiture and social documentary. Join Chrissie for her 2nd book launch and exhibition at Lunar Studios in Alexandria on Thursday, November 14th from 6:30-8:30 pm.

Sydney: 23–25 November. Three Edge Studio is very proud to present 21 outstanding emerging and experienced Australian photographers at the M2 Gallery in Surry Hills.

Perth: Until 18 May 2025. Henry Roy – Impossible Island draws on 40-years of recollections and observations as it brings together 113 photos taken from 1983 to 2023.

Brisbane: The Photo Fair #2 is a community event to sell, swap, and showcase photographic works on November 30 and December 1, 2024. 10am - 4pm

Melbourne: 30/11– 15/12. Focal/Vocal showcases the photographic talents of 7 graduates who use the medium of photography for the exploration of the human condition.

December

Sydney: ...as they were. A 'one day only' Street Photography exhibition by Chad Lippert. Held in a St Peters photo studio from 11am - 4pm on 15 December.