Returning for its 25th year, young photographers are encouraged to take part in the Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) Photographic Competition. 

President of the Friends of the ANBG, Linda Beveridge, says the competition for students allows young people to be inspired by the “science and beauty of native flora and fauna.”

“Young people take the most wonderfully unexpected images,” she says. 

“Their point of view is different and it’s great to see what inspires them within the gardens.” 

Split into separate categories, including black and white, coloured and altered reality photography within two age groups, primary school aged children (Years 3 to 6) and secondary/college aged children (Years 7 to 12) will have the chance to win cash prizes, with a further cash prize and/or native plant for their school.

Students who enter the competition must take a digital photograph within the National Botanic Gardens between August 30, 2024 and August 29, 2025.

Linda says the competition is an excellent opportunity for students to get outside and appreciate the natural beauty and value of the gardens. 

When deciding on what to photograph, Linda says she has begun to see a trend forming in the winning photographs. 

“Photographing the foliage, flowers and fruit of plants is becoming popular to capture colour, shape and structure,” she says. 

“[Students] also enjoy capturing images of insects and birds as they pollinate the plants.” 

Linda says students should be conscious of their focus, lighting, distance, level of action and subject view when thinking about what they might want to photograph. 

“Most importantly, have fun!” she says. 

“Play with different images and how you take them, feel free to experiment.

“You might see something that no one else has noticed.”

Competition entries close at 5pm, August 29.

Competition details at friendsanbg.org.au/comp_2025_info

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