Winners of Western Digital’s Sharp Shot Australia photography competition revealed

FROM a terrifying hurricane to stunning coastal landscapes and the night sky as you have never seen it, these photos push the boundaries like never before.

James Smart’s snap of a US tornado earned him a place in the final of Sharp Shot Australia.

FROM a terrifying hurricane to the old man of the forest, stunning coastal and mountain landscapes, and the night sky as you have never seen it, these photos push the boundaries like never before.

These incredible snaps, taken by some of Australia’s leading photography enthusiasts were chosen as some of the top 50 finalists of Western Digital’s Sharp Shot Australia.

Is is safe to go into the water? Brett Lobwein’s shot of a Cuban local.

Glenn Albert’s picture shows the still water in the Cronulla Pools.

A Sydney newsagent goes about his late night work: Picture: Matt Osborne

The competition aims at celebrating the passion and creativity of Australian snappers. It received more than 450 entries.

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David Magro’s stunning shot of the Milky Way in the night sky, shot in Merriwa, outside of Newcastle, NSW was judged as the winning entry.

Magro will become Western Digital Australia’s 2018 photography ambassador.

Of his award-winning photo Magro says: “In Merriwa, NSW, a heart shaped tree stands among the canola fields with the stars of our Milky Way and an alignment of three planets.

“Saturn, Mars and Venus are the bright objects in the sky with Venus close to the horizon within the light pollution illuminating from Newcastle.

David Magro winning shot of the Milky Way.

“In addition, charged oxygen particles known as airglow radiate green on the right. This photograph is a 180 degree panoramic view made up of sixteen images stitched together.”

Cape Spencer Lighthouse on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula: Picture: Andrew Lord

Switzerland’s Mt Pilatus. Picture: Emily Torning

Commenting on the winning photo, George Saad, sales director, Australia & New Zealand, Western Digital, said: “David’s entry is phenomenal. He captured a beautiful landscape using impressive photography skills to uniquely portray light and stars.

The full fury of a US tornado. Picture: James Smart.

The endangered Orangutan. Picture: Lawrence Cirocco

“We were blown away by the number and high quality of photographs we received from a national pool of professional and emerging photographers.

“Entries captured light, landscape, animals and people. It was impressive to see such a wide variety of creativity throughout all photographs.”

The top 50 finalists will have their submissions printed, framed and exhibited at an exclusive event held in Sydney at The View on Tuesday, 21 November. Finalists’ entries will also be featured in a limited-edition Western Digital Australia photography book.

For further information of the Sharp Shot competition and to view entries visit: sharpshotaustralia.com