World's Most Precious Protected Places Saved in Photography Competition

Media release: 14 November 2014

On a crisp winter morning off Lady Elliot Island, a passing manta ray was snapped sweeping above the ocean floor by diver Jaine Fabrice and today that shot has been announced as the winning photograph in the international SAVED photography competition, being held to coincide with the World Parks Congress in Sydney.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service’s (NPWS) Deputy Chief Executive Michael Wright said the photography competition inspired over 1200 people world-wide to share their experiences and memories of the world’s most precious places using a camera.

“I was absolutely overwhelmed with the beauty of the images submitted from all over the world in this unique competition submitted by amateurs and professionals alike,” Mr Wright said.

“Photography plays an important part in keeping the world’s most precious areas protected by raising awareness and providing historical and documentary references.  But most importantly, it is also an easy way to express our appreciation for the natural world around us.

“Protected areas of the world offer a wealth of photographic opportunities for photographers of all levels and this was evident by the sheer diversity of the images submitted as part of this world-wide nature photography competition.”

Jaine Fabrice took out the major prize of $15,000 for her shot of the Manta Ray during that impromptu encounter with his dive buddy off the north coast of Australia.

Other winners included Justin Gilligan for his stunning photograph of a Blue bottle taken whilst bobbing off the coast of Eurobodalla National Park on the State’s South Coast.  The Youth Category went to Kalani Gacon for a photo capturing a runner in the Blue Mountains at dawn.

The photos will now commence a State-wide tour which starts at PlanetFest which is being held this Sunday 16 November 2014 at Sydney Olympic Park.

 

Contact: Gabrielle Last