Gardens in focus photography competition showcases Sydney’s rare beauty lying just down the garden path

AN EXHIBITION of breathtaking photographs from the fourth Gardens in Focus photography competition will be showcased at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney.

THIS weekend Sydney will play host to a photography exhibition which showcases pictures from Australia’s humble backyard — but these photos are anything but ordinary.

From rare finches, to dewdrop-laden moths they’ll have you wondering what wonders lie down your garden path when you’re not looking.

This year’s competition attracted a wonderful standard of photography. Curator Lyn Johnson said, “The quality of works submitted, from both here and abroad, was outstanding.” Across all categories photographers used incredible skill and knowledge to capture intimate and breathtaking moments.”

Presented by Foundation & Friends the exhibition will showcase the overall winner of the Gardens in Focus photography competition, along with a selection of outstanding entries.

“Each photograph highlights the importance of gardens, not only as beautiful green spaces but as significant living collections.”

Check out some of the stunning entries below.

Alpine skipper pair

“This pair of Alpine skippers were located about midmorning immobilised on their overnight perch by the cool conditions. Both skippers were heavily laden with dewdrops, somewhat resembling a jewel-studded broach. A foggy morning prolonged their immobilisation as it’s not until they are warmed by the morning sun that they are able to shake off their cloak of dewdrops and take flight.” Image taken in the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah.

Sweet Nectar 1

“While visiting Foster Botanical Garden one late summer day, I spotted a couple of Gold-Dust Day Geckos on a bromeliad plant. After a couple of photos, I turned around to find another 15 or so geckos intently watching me from another plant. I spent the next 2 hours photographing them. Some were timid and ran when my attention turned to them, while others were curious, even brazen, and would walk right up to the lens. One even tried to climb up the tripod!

This photograph is of a Gold-Dust Day Gecko lapping up nectar from a bromeliad flower. The reds and yellows provide a vibrant backdrop to the rich green of the gecko. He still seems to blend into his surroundings even though he is of a different colour. I’ve gone back many times hoping to have a similar experience but have not seen so many geckos in one place like I did that late summer day.” Image taken in the Foster Botanic Gardens, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Lily and High-Rise Reflections

“In other parts of the world, photographers have to fight for space to erect their tripods at photographic hot spots — the snow cranes in Japan, Old Faithful in Yellowstone. The duck ponds in the Brisbane Botanical Gardens at sunrise — with its combination of features, animals and light — is the best place I’ve ever photographed, yet I can have the place to myself for an hour, without even a stray jogger to break my concentration.” Image taken in the City Botanic Gardens, Brisbane.

Unloved

“In the cold depths of winter the garden waits. unloved. for someone to care again. Even though the gate was open there was no encouragement to enter. This orchard seemed to speak in hushed tones and beg for love and attention ... Perhaps one day.....”

Paper Kite Ballet

“Paper kites (Idea leucone) tend to fly together. This group was hunting for nectar. I was lucky enough to capture them in the early morning circling and alighting on a nectar plant.” Image taken in the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Miami, Florida, USA.

Centre of Attention

“Poppy grown from seed in my own garden and photographed just after it opened.” Image taken in her own garden in Sydney.

Variations on a green theme

“Suitable frog habitat abounds in many Botanical Gardens. Seemingly exposed on an agapanthus stalk, the frog waits, relying on its stillness and colour camouflage to deter interest from possible predators. However, his position on the stem also allows for a view of the surroundings that might yield a possible meal. He has something in common with a photographer — patience!” Image taken in the Mount Tamborine Botanic Gardens, Gold Coast, Queensland.

Queen of the night

“The Queen of the Night (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) is an extremely secretive flower. It flowers only once or twice a year. Each bloom opens for one night only and is spent by morning. I used a torch to light the spectacular flower in my garden for this dramatic image.”

Double-Barred Finch on Banksia Cone

“This Double-barred finch was attracted to this old-man Banksia cone by placing a few grains of millet in the empty seed-pods.”

Rainbow Web

“Whether it was some slight movement of the strands or just the happy chance of the backlighting that caused the rainbows to appear in the spider’s web, it gave the opportunity for an unusual image. The spider remained motionless in the centre of his trap, waiting.” Image taken in the Mount Tamborine Botanic Garden.

Layers

“The fog is just lifting and a telephoto zoom lens compresses the park in the distance.” Image taken in the Botanic Garden Wilson Botanic Park Berwick Victoria.

Event information:

14-22 June 2014, 10am-4pm daily

Palm House, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney

FREE ENTRY

The winners will be officially announced at the Opening Night on Friday 13 June. The overall winner will receive a cash prize and a place in the acclaimed International Garden Photographer of the Year exhibition at Kew Gardens in the UK. Competition categories include; ‘Plants in a Botanic Garden’, ‘Creatures in a Botanic Garden’, ‘Out & About in a Botanic Garden’, ‘International Botanic Gardens’ and ‘My Secret Garden’.

The exhibition will be on display in the Palm House, in the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney, from Saturday 14 until Sunday 22 June, 10am-4pm daily.

Selected works are for sale. Proceeds benefit the work of Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens and their support of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust.

Gardens in Focus 4 Exhibition

Ticketed Opening Night: Friday 13 June

Opening night tickets available from Foundation & Friends on 02 9231 8182 or online at www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/foundationandfriends

Free public exhibition: Saturday 14 — Sunday 22 June 2014, 10am to 4pm daily.

Palm House, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney.

www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/foundationandfriends