A moment in time: Q&A with Australian

A moment in time

Meet Scott Portelli, overall winner of the 2021 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition.

In March 2020, beneath the waves of St Vincent Gulf — an inlet of the Great Australian Bight that laps at the shores of the Fleurieu Peninsula — a 30cm Leafy Seadragon was becoming accustomed to the presence of a stranger from a different world. The stranger, in diving gear and carrying a large, spider-like contraption, was renowned nature photographer Scott Portelli.

He visited regularly to observe the seadragon, as is his practice, and the picture he eventually took became the winning photograph of the 2021 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition.

Nature photography is not only an exercise in showcasing the beauty and diversity of our ecosystems. It also serves as a kind of citizen science, whereby photographers create a data point every time they capture an animal: that seadragon displaying those behaviours in this location on that date, is a record that becomes part of the archived body of knowledge about that species.

“The images that appear in the 2021 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition represent people's efforts to go out and capture the nuances of nature. We encourage it, because the records that are documented are important to science,” says Professor Kris Helgen, Director of the Australian Museum Research Institute.

Visit the 2021 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year, a South Australian Museum exhibition until 30 January

Explore asked Scott to give us an insight into his winning photograph and his process.

What makes this image special for you?

The timing, composition and position of the subject all aligned, and the resulting image is better than I had expected. I think it gives a beautiful representation of this amazing, intricate creature and really shows its character.

What do you need to know about your animal subjects before taking photos?

Understanding behaviour is the key to producing successful images that can really show your audience the essence of a subject. I often spend more time observing the subjects than I do photographing them, to learn how to approach in a non-threatening way, which leads to a calmer interaction.

What inspires you about wildlife photography?

I am inspired by nature, its ability to adapt and evolve to its surroundings and to create symbiotic relationships between species. The more you spend time with wildlife, the more you understand their fragility and challenges they face everyday. I am inspired when I see a behaviour that has not been documented before — it is truly a privilege. I always hope that an image stands out enough to get people to connect with nature and wanting to learn more about protecting it.

What are the most important skills a wildlife photographer needs?

Patience, persistence, endurance and a sense of calm are all great qualities to have. The technical aspects become second nature with time, but being respectful and learning from others will help make you a better photographer.

Far left and above right: Scott Portelli in the field. Photo © Scott Portelli. Left: Scott Portelli’s winning shot, Leafy Night, of a Leafy Seadragon (Phycodurus eques). Photo © Scott Portelli/SA Museum