PHOTO OF THE YEAR 2021: TOP 20
WINNER, PHOTO OF THE YEAR CATEGORY, PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2021
LISA MURRAY, 'ANTHROPAUSE'
Based on Wurundjeri Land in Melbourne, Australia, Lisa Murray created her Photo of the Year winning image Anthropause in several steps. First, she photographed her son Griffin swinging out over Birrarung/The Yarra River using a panning technique, and then flipped the image upside down before cropping it to remove the source of the rope from the frame.
“My intention was to create an illusion of sorts, to provide the viewer with a more accurate image of what I saw when I was watching him – A kid, free from the world’s worries (despite being in the middle of a global pandemic) flying through the sky and enjoying the effects of the Anthropause, 2020.”
WHAT THE JUDGES SAID
Tim Levy: Yes, I did flip the image around the ‘right way’ and it still looks beautiful! Flipping the image is a perfect artistic choice, and the overall look of the image is so painterly. The quality of the light, sheen and reflection off the water, the amusing hair and the relaxed, contented peaceful look on the kid’s face is great.
It is like they are flying unrestrained through air. It also makes you wonder what they are seeing – is it also an upside-down reflected world that is hypnotisingly fascinating? The image is a symbol of many people’s youth of being carefree, imaginative, daring, and playful before the burden of impending adulthood and worrying about mortgages, superannuation, and jury duty (among other things!).
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RUNNER UP, PHOTO OF THE YEAR CATEGORY, PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2021
HARMAN SINGH HEER, 'WILDFIRE'
Harman Singh Heer’s striking image of a wildfire raging through a section of native bushland in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia is a true once-in-a-lifetime photo. It was captured during a doors-off helicopter flight near the King River in July 2021, and was both ‘mind-blowing and heartbreaking’, said Harman.
“As we flew into the smoke, we were met with surreal scenes of wildfires burning away the flora and fauna below. In the chaos, I noticed the composition of this photograph and watched as the fire inched closer and closer to the tree. It was an extremely overwhelming experience but one that taught me how important it is that humanity starts collectively making changes to combat global warming and climate change.”
WHAT THE JUDGES SAID
Matt Palmer: This image perfectly encapsulates the challenges of 2020. It has a sense of bleakness and yet all is not lost. The prominent tree in the image is undeniably under threat, but the image leaves its fate unresolved.
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TOP 20 FINISHERS, PHOTO OF THE YEAR CATEGORY, PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2021
3. Photo © Alex Ham. Photo of the Year Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
4. Photo © Clement Chua. Photo of the Year Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
5. Photo © Ruth Woodrow. Photo of the Year Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
6. Photo © Jessica Wiseman. Photo of the Year Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
7. Photo © Stephane Thomas. Photo of the Year Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
8. Photo © Richard Tonkin. Photo of the Year Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
9. Photo © Katherine Binnie. Photo of the Year Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
10. Photo © Donald Yip. Photo of the Year Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
11. Photo © Ian Patterson. Photo of the Year Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
12. Photo © Ruth Woodrow. Photo of the Year Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
13. Photo © Peter Hickey. Photo of the Year Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
14. Photo © Natalie Reed. Photo of the Year Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
15. Photo © Julie Kenny. Photo of the Year Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
16. Photo © Andy Rovenko. Photo of the Year Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
16. Photo © Richard Tonkin. Photo of the Year Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
18. Photo © Anthony Lawrence. Photo of the Year Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
19. Photo © Eunice Belk. Photo of the Year Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
20. Photo © Justine Gordon. Photo of the Year Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.