The Royal Society Publishing Photography Competition
The Royal Society Publishing Photography Competition celebrates the power of photography in capturing scientific phenomena happening all around us, and the role great images play in making science accessible to a wide audience.
It is open to scientists from across the world, who submit photographs in five categories:
Astronomy
Behaviour
Earth science and climatology
Ecology and environmental science
Microimaging
Discover the 2023 winners and runner-ups.
Martian landscape (2023) by Irina Petrova AdamatzkyThe Royal Society
Overall winner - Microimaging
Martian landscape
Irina Petrova Adamatzky
"This photo shows a specimen of Lamproderma scintillans, an exceptionally fascinating microorganism firmly adhered to an autumnal leaf in Somerset, UK...
....Classified within the taxonomic group Myxomycetes, or plasmodial slime moulds, Lamproderma scintillans exemplifies a captivating amalgamation of traits bridging the realms of both the plant and animal kingdoms...
... The slime mould exhibits a striking array of hues, ranging from earthy browns, fiery reds, and lustrous bronzes to occasionally a mesmerizing steel-blue iridescence, mirroring the vibrant palette of the surrounding deciduous landscape....
...This species has been documented in 64 countries, and its habitat spans a diverse range of environments, including locations with disturbed and preserved ecosystems, riparian forests, the Atlantic forest, and savannas....
...Lamproderma scintillans is frequently encountered on deceased leaves, airborne leaf litter, and decomposing tree trunks...
...The specific image at hand underscores the remarkable capacity for adaptation and the intricate ecological interactions exhibited by this enigmatic organism, particularly within the context of the autumnal season...
...It provides a valuable glimpse into the dynamic and ever-evolving relationship between Lamproderma scintillans and its environment, shedding light on the complex web of life that thrives within terrestrial ecosystems."
Irina Petrova Adamatzky
Beacon of Crystals in a wild forest (2023) by Shyam Ulhas RathodThe Royal Society
Microimaging - runner up
Beacon of crystals in a wild forest
Shyam Ulhas Rathod
"The image shows micro crystals of two chemical combinations Beta Alanine and L Glutamine showing the evolution of crystal patterns in process of crystallization of the chemicals."
The Western Veil Nebula (2023) by Imran SultanThe Royal Society
Astronomy - winner
The Western Veil Nebula
Imran Sultan
"My picture shows a part of the [Veil Nebula, a magnificent supernova remnant found in the Cygnus constellation]. I imaged the Western Veil over two nights from the city skies of the Chicago suburbs."
Flower Moon on a cloudy night (2023) by Imran SultanThe Royal Society
Astronomy - runner-up
Flower Moon on a cloudy night
Imran Sultan
"The May full moon is known as the Flower Moon, a name originating from the Algonquin peoples that marks the blooming of flowers during spring."
Nightly Elevator (2023) by Dr Tom ShlesingerThe Royal Society
Behaviour - winner
Nightly elevator
by Dr Tom Shlesinger
"Every night...many organisms move up from the great depths of the ocean towards the sea surface...small or juvenile animals [hitch] a ride on jellyfishes, which provides a unique "elevator"."
Ssstandoff (2023) by Dr Gregory FunstonThe Royal Society
Behaviour - runner up
Ssstandoff
Dr Gregory Funston
"Returning to camp from an excavation of a horned dinosaur [in southern Alberta, Canada], we were treated to a show by two very large (1.5 m, ~ 5 ft) male [prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis)], tussling for dominance."
A crack in time (2022) by Dr Chia-Hsin (Wendy) TsaiThe Royal Society
Earth science and climatology - winner
A crack in time
Dr Chia-Hsin (Wendy) Tsai
"The photo was taken during an undergraduate field course at the Corinth Canal in Greece in September 2022. The image depicts a typical outcrop, showcasing normal faults within extensional tectonics setting."
Burning through the frozen South (2020) by Professor Michael MeredithThe Royal Society
Earth science and climatology - runner-up
Burning through the frozen South
Pr. Michael Meredith
"Whilst on fieldwork at the Antarctic Peninsula in 2020, we watched the Sun's dying rays picking out gaps between ice floes, creating a landscape that seemed like lava... it appeared emblematic of the rapid heating of Antarctica"
Star of the night (2023) by Dr Tom ShlesingerThe Royal Society
Ecology and environmental science - winner
Star of the night
Dr Tom Shlesinger
"What happens at a coral reef at night?... Here, a school of small fish running wild above a colorful reef and a sea star, which just came out of its den to forage."
Post-war chamois (2023) by Filippo CarugatiThe Royal Society
Ecology and environmental science - runner up
Post-war chamois
Filippo Carugati
"During a winter walk in Val Varaita (Western Alps), I spotted an Alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) licking the wall of a WWII bunker... This behavior is probably connected to the assimilation of mineral salts and diet integration".
All photographs are copyright of the photographers.
Story - all rights reserved @Royal Society, 2023.
For more information on the Royal Society Publishing Competition, please visit ourwebsite.
