2024 is a momentous year for Australia’s biggest nature photography prize. Conceived in 2003 by founder and patron Dr Stuart Miller AM, the then-named Australian, New Zealand, Antarctica, and New Guinea (ANZANG) Nature and Landscape Photographer of the Year arrived in 2004 with a mission: to stoke the public’s fascination with the natural world and provide a platform for emerging and established photographers alike to showcase the flora, fauna, and landscapes of the Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica, and New Guinea bioregion.

The exhibition and competition have been produced by the South Australian Museum since 2009, and year on year the original concept has evolved and grown to become a fixture on the international photography scene attracting thousands of entries from every corner of the globe. Each year thousands of entries are whittled down by a panel of judges to around 100 finalists who a are featured in an annual exhibition that has emerged as a highlight of the Museum’s calendar and a popular touring attraction at venues across Australia.

Since 2004 the competition and exhibition have highlighted rare perspectives across a range of categories representing a diverse survey of the region’s biosphere in a period of great change.

The past two decades have also seen rapid change in the technology used for photography change for photography. In the first year of the competition, digital cameras were permitted in just one category. Today, photographers use technology that would have been unthinkable in 2004 including smartphones and aerial drones – such as 2019 winner Mat Beetson’s arresting aerial shot of sharks circling a humpback whale carcass near Cheynes Beach, Western Australia.

20 Years of Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year features 20 winning shots representing each year of the competition, from the eye of a firestorm captured by last year’s winner Samuel Markham to 2016 winner Matthew McIntosh’s macro shot of mosquitoes feasting on the forehead of a treefrog, or 2010 winner Glenn Ehmke’s face-off between a Gentoo penguin and an elephant seal.

Entries for the 2024 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year closed in February, with the finalists and winners to be revealed in an exhibition at the Museum in late August.

Dr David Gaimster, CEO, South Australian Museum said:
“We’ve watched the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year grow in scale and impact to create a truly impressive collective effort, and a landmark 20-year snapshot of our region at a critical moment.

“Over two tumultuous decades our entrants have captured fires and floods, life and death, epic battles for survival and moments of serene harmony, and given generations of audiences the chance to bear witness.”

Dr Stuart Miller said:
“I am absolutely delighted with how the competition has continued to develop and prosper under the care of the South Australian Museum. Such a competition requires three elements for long term success: a broad base of talented entrants, an experienced, well-resourced, and creative administration, and a receptive and supportive audience. This 20-year anniversary confirms the competition has all three.”

20 Years of Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year will be on display in the front foyer of the South Australian Museum from Friday 22 March

 Main image: Gentoo Penguin and Elephant Seal face-off, Glenn Ehmke, 2010 Overall winner