The three categories for the Macarthur Nature Photography Competition are:

Caring for Country

People helping the environment, cultural connection, life, waterways. Photograph the positive impacts, actions and behaviours of people helping the Macarthur environment. This can include picking up litter, nest boxes, wildlife rescue, habitat gardens, tree planting, bushcare and weeding.

Threatened Species

Our rare, endangered and vulnerable native plants and animals: koalas, orchids, native plants and animals under threat (i.e. birds, mammals, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians).

Australian Native Plants, Animals and Pollinators

 Lifecycles, spring, macro-Invertebrates, new growth, seasonal changes.  Photograph the naturally Australian plants that are found in the Macarthur region. This includes the leaves, branches, flowers, seeds, lichen, bark and fungi that make up the Australian plant community. Australian animals and pollinators includes the furry, scaly, slippery, feathery, and crawly beings that are uniquely Australian wildlife.

For inspiration, check out the Macarthur Nature Photography Competition Gallery of last year’s entries.

This year will once again see a huge prize pool for winning images for individuals:

Primary school aged (5 to 12 years)

• $100 prepaid gift card + $100 Narellan Town Centre voucher for first place in each theme.
• $75 prepaid gift card for second place in each theme.

High school aged (13 to 18 years)

• $150 prepaid gift card + $100 Narellan Town Centre voucher for first place in each theme.
• $100 prepaid gift card for second place in each theme.

Open section (18+ years)

• $250 prepaid gift card + $100 Narellan Town Centre voucher for first place in each theme.
• $150 prepaid gift card for second place in each theme.

People’s Choice

• $500 cash for the overall winner

When students fill out their entry form, all they need to do is specify their age and parent’s contact details to go in the running to win a prize for themselves in one of the three main categories. By adding their school’s details, the entry will be included in the School Prize as well.

Cameras come in all shapes and forms these days, encourage students to snap a shot on their smart phone, iPad or camera.

The competition is a great way to engage students in a range of syllabus content and can easily translate into the at-home learning environment for parents and online classes for teachers.

To help deliver this to students, you can use our:

• Primary School Teachers Resource Booklet
• High School Teachers Resource Booklet
• Macarthur Nature Photography Competition promotional poster

Entering multiple students or classes? Download and complete our Macarthur Nature Photography Competition Entry Form 2023

• An online album of winners in each age category will be developed by the Macarthur Councils, only entries eligible under category requirements will be republished.

• The winners will be announced in October 2023.
• All entries will be available to view via Council’s website through Flickr.

For more information, please contact our Natural Resources Project Officer via sustainability@camden.nsw.gov.au.

• A panel of judges representing photography, art and local biodiversity expertise will select theme place winners and will shortlist 10 additional images for the People’s Choice display at Narellan Town Centre.
• The images for the People’s Choice Award will be on public display at Narellan Town Centre from 9:00am Monday 9 through to 5:30pm Sunday 22 October 2023.

A substantial proportion of wildlife photography is undertaken in national parks and reserves. Commonwealth, State and Territory, and local government rules apply.

Native animal and plant species are protected by law throughout Australia regardless of whether they occur in national parks, reserves, or Local government administered areas or private land, unless otherwise stated by Commonwealth, State or Territory fauna/flora agencies.

It is the responsibility of the photographer to ensure that they are aware of the laws and regulations which apply to the regions in which they undertake nature photography.

The kinds of activities often engaged in by nature photographers, which are currently prohibited in some or all government reserves and parks in Australia include:

• Taking ('take' often defined to include 'interfering') or harassing (call playback is a form of harassment) native wildlife;
• Use a radio, tape recorder or other sound or amplifier system in a way that may cause unreasonable disturbance to an animal (e.g. call playback);
• Disturbing or interfering with nests, hollows and habitat;
• Walking or driving off designated tracks or roads;
• Altering native vegetation (e.g. to get a clearer photo of bird);
• Erecting structures (e.g. permanent bird hides), and feeding wildlife (e.g. using food to attract wildlife);
• Flash photography on nocturnal species; and
• Interfering with plants that damage or harm the species.

Photos submitted to the Macarthur Nature Photography Competition must be taken in accordance with ethical guidelines.