‘Ecology in Action’ Photography Competition

Out Standing in the Field: Ecologists in Action

Interesting portraits or images of ecologists working in the field, lab, office, lecture theatre or policy arena. Preference will be given to images that provide a good portrait or image of an ecologist and also convey what the person works on and/or an issue pertinent to their field. Each image must be accompanied by a short description (maximum 60 words) that describes the ecologist and their work. An ecologist is defined as anyone undertaking ecological research or management (including conservation and restoration).

Beneath Southern Skies: Unique Australian Landscapes

Images of landscapes that present the unique diversity of environments that make up the Australian continent and its territories and have shaped our Australian biota. Each image must be accompanied by a short description (maximum 60 words) that describes the landscape and its relevance to ecology.

Niches & Hollows: Terrestrial Australian Fauna

Images that depict the fauna of terrestrial Australia, particularly the high levels of endemism found in many phyla across our island continent. From rodents to raptors, weevils to wombats, spiders to snakes, frogs to fireflies, there is no shortage of inspiration to be found. Each image must be accompanied by a short description (maximum 60 words) that describes the subject and its connection to the ecosystem.

Water World: Coastal, Marine and Freshwater Fauna of Australia

From the mighty Murray River, to the Lake Eyre Basin, the white sands of Cable Beach, the floodplains of Arnhem Land, the colossal Great Barrier Reef, the wild Franklin River, and the ice floes of the Antarctic, water is as much a part of the Australian psyche as the red dust of our interior. This category welcomes images of the fauna that depend in some way on these watery worlds. Each image must be accompanied by a short description (maximum 60 words) that describes the subject and its connection to the ecosystem.

Branching Out: Native Australian Flora

This category seeks images depicting the plant, bacterial, fungi and lichen species found in Australia and its territories. These can be marine, freshwater or terrestrial species but preference will be given to images that depict endemism within these groups. Each image must be accompanied by a short description (maximum 60 words) that describes the subject and its connection to the ecosystem.

PLUS - a new category for 2025…

Biodiversity on the brink

This year, our annual photography competition is launching an additional category that will evolve each year to connect directly to that year’s conference theme.

ESA2025 is about recognising that biodiversity is on the brink - and showcasing the critical change the ecological world around us is facing.

Biodiversity is truly on the brink. But positive change can still make a difference, and bold actions can help protect a resilient future.

Coming together to explore the fresh ideas and bold decisions we need to deliver sustainable solutions is more important than ever.

In this special category to connect with ESA2025, we invite photographers to be visual storytellers and share photos that create compelling stories to help engage and inspire a broader audience to support the cohesive community approach needed to drive positive, sustainable action.

By helping to nurture a deeper understanding of ecological systems and the need for sound environmental policies, effective conservation and management, we can all play a significant role as change-makers.

Each image in this category must be accompanied by an extended description (maximum 125 words) to help educate and motivate the viewer about the need to be bold for biodiversity.

Category Prizes

Prizes for First Place ($450) and Runner Up ($250) will be awarded in each category.

Best Overall Photo

A prize of $300 will be awarded to the photo judged the best in the competition over all, and will be chosen by the judges from amongst the first-prize winning category images. The photographer of this image will be offered the opportunity to have a feature exhibition of their work on the ESA website and social media. This will consist of a short biography of the photographer and up to ten images of the photographers choice.

ESA Members Prize for Best Ecological Caption 

A prize of $250 will be offered to the image deemed by the judges to have the best ecological caption. This will be judged on the quality of the image, the information contained in the caption, how well the caption links to the image, and how engaging the content is. Consideration in this category is contingent on the photographer being a current ESA member at the time the image is submitted.

Best Student/ECE Image 

A prize of $250 will be offered to the image deemed by the judges to be the best submitted by a student or early career ecologist. Students must be enrolled in a recognised Australian educational institution at the time the image is submitted. Early career ecologists must be within five years (full time equivalent) of completing their PhD at the time the image is submitted.

Peoples Choice Awards

All finalists (first prize, runner-up and highly commended in each category) will be exhibited in a gallery on the ESA website and at the annual ESA Conference. Voting for the People's Choice image will be determined by a public vote and by attendees of the conference. The image with the most combined votes will receive the People's Choice Award ($50).

The current judging panel for the 'Ecology in Action' Photo Competition comprises of:

Christian Spencer

Christian Spencer was born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1977.

He is a professional artist, filmmaker and photographer.

Since 2001, Christian has spent long periods in Brazil, exhibiting his paintings and winning 19 international awards for his artistic documentaries on nature.

Recently, Christian has been awarded many prizes in international photo competitions, being including being ‘Highly Commended’ at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2021, winner in the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year 2021 in the ‘Animal Habitat’ category and winner in the Tokyo Photo Awards 2020.

He also won the best overall photo (2014 and 2015) in the Ecological Society of Australia Photo Competition; winner in World Meteorological Organization photography awards and best photo award in the Canon College photography competition in Brazil in 2017, as well as the ‘Fundação Casa da Cultura Macedo Miranda’ prize at the 44º Art Salon of the Museum of Modern Art of Resende - RJ.

At the end of 2022, his book BIRDS: Poetry in the Sky was released by Teneues Publishing in Germany and highlights the uniquely artistic way he has approached bird photography. Its publication has led to many accolades, including winning in the Tokyo Foto awards book category and PX3 Photo awards book category in Paris, as well as receiving ‘Highly Commended’ honours at the International Photography Awards book category 2023.

Throughout his 25-year career, Christian has used the canvas, film, music and photography to sustain his unique art, a representation of the abstraction that he sees in nature, capturing the inter-relationship between the micro and macro that he describes as ‘the invisible orchestrated cosmos’.

Learn more about Christian on his website, Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.

Alex Pike

See more on Alex's website, Facebook or Instagram.

Claire Greenwell

Claire Greenwell is a trained ornithologist and marine scientist with a PhD in Conservation Sciences. She has a deep focus on seabird ecology, trophic interactions and applied science for biological conservation.

Claire’s career is grounded in both research and environmental advisory roles, and she brings a unique blend of scientific expertise, community engagement and visual storytelling to the field of marine and coastal ecology. ​

As a passionate nature photographer, Claire utilises her images to tell the stories of Australia’s seabirds and to deepen public understanding of their ecological roles. Photography has become a powerful research and outreach tool—enabling her to document behavioural insights, highlight conservation issues and engage communities in environmental stewardship.

Her work capturing the Australian Fairy Tern was recognised in the 2020 BirdLife Australia Photography Awards.

Among other national awards, she was awarded the Best Portfolio Prize in the 2020 BirdLife Australia Photography Awards for her work capturing the Australian Fairy Tern.

See more on Claire's website, Facebook or Instagram.

See the full Conditions of Entry here

Entries open 19 August 2025

Entries close 5 October 2025

Finalists and winners announced November 2025

Who can enter the competition?

The competition is open to people of all ages, except for the Executive of the ESA and people involved with the administration or judging of the competition. Membership of the ESA is not a condition of entry.

Are there restrictions on when the photo was taken?

No, there is no time limit on when a photograph has been taken.

Are there restrictions on where the photo was taken?

Images must either be taken in Australia or its territories, or illustrate the work that Australian ecologists are undertaking in other countries.

What format should submitted photos be in? 

Entries must be colour photographs uploaded online on the ESA website as high-quality jpegs (approx. 300 dpi). The jpeg quality level should be set at maximum to minimise loss of quality. The compressed file size must be less than 10MB (typically it will be about 6-7 MB, but varies depending on the content of the image).

Is it a problem if there is a person in my photo? 

Not at all. However, in the case of photographs of a recognisable person, it is the photographer’s responsibility to obtain the written consent of the person/s in the image for the photograph to be reproduced. Consent forms should be retained by the photographer (not sent with the entry). An acknowledgement that this content has been sought is included in the online submission form.

How many photos can I submit?

Entry is limited to five (5) images per contestant. Contestants should not submit multiple images of the same subject.

How will entries be judged?

Judging will be by a panel selected by the ESA and the judges’ decision will be final. Points will be awarded primarily for image quality and relevance, e.g. technical quality, aesthetics, sharpness, correct exposure and composition of the image, but also for the interest and relevance of the subject matter and context; and the quality and relevance of the description.

Are there rules on how much an image can be edited?

Images must not have been adjusted beyond a level that could be applied in conventional pre-digital photography. In other words, image adjustments should be limited to no more than levels, curves, colour, saturation, contrast, sharpening and minor cleaning. The integrity of the original subject must be retained. Compositing or the creation of an image from more than one original exposure is not allowed, with the exception of stitched panoramas (focus-stacked images), so long as the exposures were taken at exactly the same time and place.

Are there ethical guidelines around the taking of images?

Yes. When taking an image that involves animals, the primary consideration must be the principle of animal welfare and complete avoidance of any negative impact on that animal, or its environment, that may occur as a direct result of taking that image. This includes minimising any potentially negative physical, emotional or behavioural impacts. When taking images of the natural environment, there must also be no negative impact on the landscape. All images submitted must have been taken in a way that treats all subjects (human or otherwise) with respect, ensuring issues such as (but not limited to) societal values, cultural values and traditions are respected and treated sensitively. Competition organisers reserve the right to disqualify an image if they feel that the taking of that image breached these important principles.

What is the definition of an ecologist?

An ecologist is defined as anyone undertaking ecological research or management (including conservation, restoration and environmental impact assessment). Note that images or descriptions of people undertaking research or management that is not clearly focused on, based on, or derived from ecological knowledge or principles may not be eligible.

What happens to usage rights of my image after I submit it?

By submitting an entry, including the image and the caption, entrants agree to license and grant the Ecological Society of Australia a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide right to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish and display all or part of their entry for promotion of the competition or the Society, without compensation, restriction on use, or liability. Entrants agree not to assert any moral rights in relation to such use and warrant that they have full authority to grant these rights. The photographer will be acknowledged when the ESA uses, reproduces, modifies, adapts, publishes or displays any images.

Can I change my image after I submit it? 

Yes. Submitted images can be retracted or changed until, but not after, the closing date. Contact .

Is there a cost to enter?

No, there is no cost to enter the ESA 'Ecology in Action' Photo Competition.

How do I ask a question about the competition?

If you have a question, please read through the competition Conditions of Entry or FAQs above first to ensure your question has not already been covered. If you do not find the information you require please send an equity to .

2024 Finalists

2023 Finalists

2022 Finalists

2021 Finalists