Renowned wildlife photographer Scott Portelli’s incredible shots on show

MOSMAN photographer Scott Portelli was a finalist in London’s Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Awards. His stunning work is now on exhibition in Sydney.

Mosman photographer Scott Portelli was a finalist in the Wildlife Photographer Of The Year 2016 Awards with his “Collective Courtship” image. Picture: Scott Portelli

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AN AWARD-WINNING Mosman photographer said it was the pinnacle of his career to have been recognised as a finalist in the prestigious worldwide competition, Wildlife Photographer Of The Year 2016.

The fascinating work of Scott Portelli, who specialises in wildlife, underwater and nature photography, is part of the exhibition on the awards at the Australian National Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour until October 9.

A Weddell seal hauls out on the sea ice in Antarctica and appears at peace as it rests in the safety of the think ice from any surveying predators. Picture: Scott Portelli

London’s Natural History Museum founded the renowned photographic awards in 1965.

Portelli captured his image of four cuttlefish, Collective Courtship, in Whyalla, South Australia, in 2015.

The image is a top 100 finalist in the invertebrates category. The competition received 50,000 entries.

A green turtle eats a giant jellyfish in Byron Bay. Green turtles will feast for hours on unsuspecting giant jellyfish, one of their main food sources. Picture: Scott Portelli

Portelli said being selected as a finalist in the awards had surprised and overwhelmed him.

“I was truly ecstatic to be recognised for my work and humbled to be among such talented photographers competing on the world stage,” he said.

“It was definitely one of my proudest moments and an unforgettable experience.”

Portelli spent hours in cold, shallow waters to capture the spawning of the giant cuttlefish in the Spencer Gulf.

A jellyfish infestation takes over the harbour in Tonga. The late afternoon sun casts a beam of light through the semitranslucent creature that has risen from the depths. Picture: Scott Portelli

The image is part of a bigger two to three-year project he is working on where he returns to the area each season as the cuttlefish aggregation starts.

“The main challenge was the cold water — when you are working in 12-degree water you limit the time you can spend in the water — plus the weather and ocean conditions play a large part in the ability to capture the perfect moment,” Portelli said.

“Even the behaviour of the cuttlefish presents a challenge and, making sure you understand their actions and intentions, you can capture some unique moments.

“On one day all the elements aligned: clear water, early-morning sunlight piercing the surface and a congregation of competing cuttlefish.”

Portelli’s other notable photographic achievements include: Sony World Photography Awards 2016 Australian national winner, Travel Photographer of the Year 2015 best single image in a monochromal portfolio winner, and National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year 2016 honourable mention, action category.

Atlantic spotted dolphins in the Bahamas search the shallow, sandy waters for prey. Picture: Scott Portelli

Portelli was an avid photographer during his youth.

“I transitioned into a professional role in 2007, winning my first photo journalism award in the same year, which inspired me to pursue photography and filmmaking in the natural world and I proceeded to spend a lot of time visiting wildlife havens and pristine locations to capture more of the world that I wanted to protect,” he said.

“Wildlife is fascinating and conservation is something that goes hand-in-hand with any wildlife photographer. the more we see the more you want to protect these natural resources.

“I love learning about wildlife and their habitat and it is also a part of how I approach wildlife photography.

“The more I know about a species the more I can understand how to interact with them in their natural environment.”

A blue marlin, one of the fastest fish in the ocean, circles the boat in search of small prey hiding beneath the hull for protection. Picture: Scott Portelli

Portelli said the underwater world intrigued him.

“It is a completely mysterious world with so many creatures that you never knew existed,” he said.

“Photographing and filming underwater is a different ball game all together; there are so many factors that affect you underwater — buoyancy, camera equipment, lack of colour, animal behaviour — there’s so much to think about and generally within a small time frame.

“I am inspired by many underwater and wildlife pioneers like David Attenborough, Paul Nicklen, David Doubilet, to name a few in the cast of so many amazing humans that look at the world differently.”

Humpback whales, mother and calf, in Vava'u, Tonga. Picture: Scott Portelli

Portelli said environmental conservation issues influenced his work.

“I really want to show people the beauty and dispel the fears people have about some wildlife,” he said.

“I want to show how some species are vulnerable like the last remaining mountain gorillas and their diminishing habitat.

THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF SCOTT PORTELLI

“I want to educate people about how important sharks are to our ecosystem and that they are not to be feared the way mainstream media portrays them.

“I want to keep reinventing myself and looking at new ways to inspire others to take action.”

Visit scottportelli.com to see Portelli’s work.

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A Humpback mother keeps a watchful eye over a curious young newborn calf curious about its surroundings near Vava'u, Tonga. Picture: Scott Portelli