We have the pleasure of announcing the winners of the Great Walks Wilderness Photographer of the Year 2023, presented by Mountain Designs.
We received almost 500 entries and we want to thank each and every person who entered. Of course, in the end there can only be a few winners – in our case four. Best Photo and Runner-Up in the two categories – People and Places – and you’ll shortly see all four winners plus the next top eight images from each category, making a total of 20 images.
Congrats to all top 10 finalists from each category but a special congrats to the winning entries!
Of course, this comp couldn’t work without our amazing sponsors, so thank you so much to the good people at Mountain Designs (mountaindesigns.com), Life’s An Adventure (lifesanadventure.com.au) and GME (gme.net.au), and a special thank you for the prizes they have provided which includes a full outdoor gear makeover for two people, a luxury guided walk for two people and two personal locator beacons.
Thank you too to our amazingly talented judges for their time and expertise: Jackie Ranken, Matt Palmer, Mieke Boynton, Harrison Candlin, Mike O’Connor and Brent McKean.
You can view the Top 10 images in each category below or see all the entries from the competition here. You can also see our Wilderness Photographer of the Year wrap in the February-March 2024 issue of Great Walks. It's in newsstands at the end of the month and available digitally on zinio.com/au.
Wilderness Photographer of the Year 2024 will open for entries again in April 2024. We look forward to seeing your fantastic photos!
And without further ado the winners of the Great Walks Wilderness Photographer of the Year presented by Mountain Designs are...
Winner, People category and Overall Winner Wilderness Photographer of the Year 2023
‘Taft Point Sunset,’ by Craig Ford. Winner, People Category and Overall Winner, Wilderness Photographer of the Year 2023. "I decided on this composition as it shows the grand expanse of Yosemite Valley below. A couple luckily appeared on the ledge which provided an excellent sense of scale. I used a tripod and fast shutter speed to freeze the scene and a circular polarising filter to emphasise the dramatic lighting."
Judge’s comment: "Every so often you see a photo that simply takes your breath away. There's a wonderful sense of scale in Craig's photo of America's iconic Yosemite Valley. No doubt this is a popular spot for people to have their photo taken but there are several elements that makes this image stand out. The light firstly, the sun's rays behind the silhouette of the people gives them that extra definition even though the two figures are quite small in the frame. The cloud cover adds to the drama as does the vast emptiness just a couple metres in front of the subjects. This is what our Wilderness Photographer of the Year is all about." – Brent McKean.
As overall winner, Craig has won a Life's an Adventure luxury pack-free guided walk plus a full Mountain Designs outdoor gear makeover, a GME Personal Locator Beacon, $2,000 cash and a one-year subscription to Great Walks. Total value: $7900
Runner-Up, People category Wilderness Photographer of the Year 2023
‘Freedom’ by Michael Blowers. Runner-up, People category, Wilderness Photographer of the Year 2023. “Climbing on the kunanyi's Organ Pipes above Hobart. A place where wilderness and city meet, creating a unique feeling of climbing in an old, remote wilderness despite its proximity to Hobart.”
Judge’s comment: "This image fills me with a sense of accomplishment and human brilliance. My eyes move slowly from left to right, through the layers of distant cloud until I see a small person on the side of a mountain. That one element brings all context together and forms an image of beautiful depth." – Harrison Candlin.
Michael has won $500 and a one-year subscription to Great Walks.
Winner, Places category Wilderness Photographer of the Year 2023
'Persistence' by Evan Agee. Winner, Places category, Wilderness Photographer of the Year 2023. “On my fifth attempt visiting Cannabullen Falls, nestled deep within Tully Gorge National Park, I embarked on a persistent quest. This year proved unique, as an unusually dry wet season had previously thwarted my attempts to capture the essence of this location. Remarkably, the ideal conditions I had long sought presented themselves during the winter dry season. It was a testament to persistence.”
Judge’s comment: “I am captivated by the sophisticated use of colour, hues and tones. The warm-toned foreground rocks anchor my eye. From there my eyes move to the wet, leg-like cross made of logs and then up through the winding stream to the beautifully tree-framed waterfall where the colour tones become cooler and softer hues.” – Jackie Ranken.
Evan has won a full Mountain Designs outdoor gear makeover, a GME Personal Locator Beacon, $2,000 prize money and a one-year subscription to Great Walks. Total value: $3,900.
Runner-Up, Places category Wilderness Photographer of the Year 2023
‘Ancient Garden’ by Shaun Pau. Runner-Up, Places category, Wilderness Photographer of the Year 2023. “Taken from a trip to East Java earlier this year. Shot right after sunset as the light slowly faded away. You can actually see stars if you look closely.”
Judge's comment: "Shaun Pau’s Ancient Garden ticks just about every box you could want in a great landscape shot – beautiful light, strong, deliberate framing, an amazing sense of depth, a deft understanding of light and shadow, and of course the subject itself – the kind of location that landscape photographers dream of capturing. The result is a deserving runner-up in Wilderness Photographer of the Year." – Mike O'Connor.
Shaun has won $500 and a one-year subscription to Great Walks.
Top 10 entries, People category Wilderness Photographer of the Year 2023
‘Lost Heaven’ by Arya Shahrdami. Top 10, People category, Wilderness Photographer of the Years 2023. "In the era of the internet and technology and fast paced lifestyle, Tasmania is one of the few places left on earth that can provide great opportunities to reconnect with the Mother Earth. Three Capes Track is one of the most beautiful walks I’ve done, fresh air, breathtaking views, you feel you are at the edge of the world."‘1000m above ground’ by Will Nelson. Top 10, Wilderness Photographer of the Year 2023. “Highliner Gavin Alexander Lewis soaks up the views after a fresh spring snowfall on the Remarkables while I captured the shot on a small ledge in the snow.”‘Walking into the night’ by Jacinta Pink. Top 10, People category, Wilderness Photographer of the Years 2023. "On this day on the Pacific Crest Trail we were setting out into the LA Aqueduct section, around 550 Miles into the trail. As we were walking along the waterpipe, we enjoyed the most perfect sunset. I remember running down beside the pipe trying to keep up to my friends to capture this shot, there was a lot of laughs and it will forever be core memory."‘Antarctic Parhelion’ by Kelly Kavanagh. Top 10, People category, Wilderness Photographer of the Years 2023. "We were 56 days into our Antarctic expedition: exhausted, low on supplies, and battling our way across the bitterly cold polar plateau. I looked over to see Vinnie, perfectly silhouetted against a stunning Parhelion. With heavy mittens I fumbled for the shutter and managed a snapshot in time that, to me, captures the harsh beauty of Antarctica."‘Jump!’ by Gavin Kellett. Top 10, People category, Wilderness Photographer of the Years 2023. “Taken on the edge of Mount Cole in the Budawangs at sunrise in June. I was lucky enough to capture the image where my friend jumped in the air with excitement. What I love about the shot is how it captures pure awe and the incredible beauty of the Budawangs.”‘Morning Haze’ by Sheldon Flaxman. Top 10, People category, Wilderness Photographer of the Years 2023. “As we finished our morning coffee, I spotted my mate taking a moment to soak in the morning sun as it gently burnt off the fog from the night before. For anyone who enjoys spending time in the outdoors, this is what it’s all about…”‘Walls of Ice’ by Caroline Solomon. Top 10, People category, Wilderness Photographer of the Years 2023. "After abseiling into an unknown world of ice crevassing, the first in become the last out and I captured expeditioners beginning their ascent back into 24-hour daylight on Antarctica's Ross Ice Shelf. I love nature carving a corridor of sheer ice on one wall and shimmer on the other to centre in on us curious humans."'Wharariki Beach Sand Storm' by Craig Ford. Top 10, People category, Wilderness Photographer of the Years 2023. "Gale force southerly winds create a swirling sand storm across the beautiful Wharariki Beach at dusk, as a lone figure stands in awe of the magnificent Archway Islands and the turbulent Tasman Sea. This remote West Coast beach is not easy to get to and can only be reached on foot. During the winter months in particular, the beach can be all but deserted, adding to the sense of isolation and solitude. Tasman, South Island, NZ."
Top 10 entries, Places category Wilderness Photographer of the Year 2023
‘Golden Derby’ by Scott Leggo. Top 10, Places category, Wilderness Photographer of the Years 2023. "I had spent the day exploring the tidal flats of Derby, looking for a spot to capture sunset that evening. As the day drew to a close, late afternoon light cast the tidal flats in soft colour. From the air above, this formation stood out with the incoming tide mixing with the dry land."‘Forgotten Flame’ by Ben Chubb. Top 10, Places category, Wilderness Photographer of the Years 2023. "I took the image with a high f-stop to ensure the entire scene was in focus and a slightly longer shutter speed to reduce noise, as I was set up on a tripod and there was little wind. The contrast between the cool quartzite and Pandani, and the warm sunset is really appealing to me, and the sunbeams emphasise the ruggedness of the mountains I had traversed."‘Tree Creature’ by Benjamin Maze. Top 10, Places category, Wilderness Photographer of the Years 2023. "I captured this image in Tasmania’s South West, which contains some of the world’s most pristine wilderness. This particular stream is located amongst incredible old growth rainforest and flows into the deepest cave system in the country. The rushing water and variety of lush greens amongst the foliage was truly amazing to photograph."‘African Sunset’ by Genny May. Top 10, Places category, Wilderness Photographer of the Years 2023. “After our Tanzanian Safari, we were farewelled by hilltop sunset drinks with expansive views over the Serengeti, the setting sun lighting up the sky. My favourite zoom lens drew the fiery ball fully into the frame, with the silhouetted Acacia trees stamping this quintessentially African scene firmly in my memory.”‘Kimberley Spirit’ by Scott Leggo. Top 10, Places category, Wilderness Photographer of the Years 2023. "I had wanted to capture this location for some time and was determined to be positioned at the right spot at the right time. The Kimberley never fails to impress, but this evening was a standout. Patience and timing were key. Moments after taking this shot, the sun disappeared below the horizon, ending what was a spectacular sight across this range, and one of the most impressive scenes I have witnessed in the Kimberley."‘Narnia’ by Natalie Symonds. Top 10, Places category, Wilderness Photographer of the Years 2023. "This photo was taken quite quickly due to the outside temperatures being so cold. It's always hard to know if the conditions are right for hoar frost, we took a punt & it paid off. I love the contrast of the white frost against the stormy blue sky."‘Australian Made’ by Hayley Green. Top 10, Places category, Wilderness Photographer of the Years 2023. “A photograph of kangaroos on Cape Hillsborough beach at sunrise. A perfect morning watching them feed before getting to run alongside them as they hopped through the incoming tide.”‘Outlet’ by Scott Leggo. Top 10, Places category, Wilderness Photographer of the Years 2023. "This morning above Roebuck Bay presented an incredible view of visual diversity. Thanks to the large tidal patterns, impressive displays of colours and patterns abound. This stream draining out to the ocean caught my eye and we flew across this feature so I could get the angle I wanted. Shortly after, this area was submerged thanks to the incoming tide."
