Photography – is it a science or is it an art? Much has been written on this debate. Here at the National Science Week office, we happen to think photography is a wonderful blending of the two, with some impressive technology thrown in as well. Truly a great example of STEAM in action!
If you also share this passion for science and photography, then you are in luck because National Science Week 2018 is brimming with events that showcase science-related photos, offer photography workshops, or utilise photos for Citizen Science research.
There are numerous photography exhibitions on show featuring a range of topics, including astronomy and sky, wildlife, river and estuary health, and the tiny but beautiful world of slime moulds.
There’s an exhibition featuring images taken by scientists on photosynthesis, and another that showcases the collaboration between a scientist and an artist during an expedition to the Antarctic Islands and Southern Ocean.
There are exhibitions which display the inspiring entries of photography competitions, such as the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year which opens in South Australia on 24 August.
And there are various competitions where you can cast a vote in People’s Choice categories.
If you fancy getting a little more hands-on, there are a number of astrophotography workshops. There’s even a sun printing workshop by an artist in Huskisson, NSW, who will show you how to harness the power of sunlight with the oldest photographic printing process.
If you want to pick up your camera this National Science Week, consider a science tour where you get the opportunity to take your own photos in some impressive locations. You can join the Friends of Geraldton Gardens in WA for a wildflower tour, or take a Sea Bay Research Tour on Kangaroo Island.
There are also Citizen Science projects which involve photography. This year’s national project is Virtual Reef Diver – everyone is invited to become a citizen scientist to help analyse thousands of underwater images of the Great Barrier Reef. South Australians are invited to submit photos of echidna sightings via the EchidnaCSI app to help researchers develop an echidna distribution map.
There are various fairs and STEM days where school-aged students can experience a range of technologies, including photography.
Primary and Secondary students in Victoria are invited by Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society to submit photos to an astronomy themed photo competition – but hurry, entries close on Sunday 12 August 2018!
And in Centennial Park in Sydney, you can feature in photographs by registering as a volunteer light spinner to help create luminous tunnels, bright ribbons and rings of light under the direction of master light painter, Peter Solness.
A list of photography events is included below. Follow the links to the National Science Week event calendar for more information, about these and all events being held as part of National Science Week.
So – what are you waiting for? Let’s get snapping!
National Project
Virtual Reef Diver
You are invited to become a citizen scientist and help analyse thousands of underwater images of the Great Barrier Reef.
Throughout National Science Week
ACT
Focus on Photosynthesis: An exploration into the fascinating world of plants – Old Bus Depot
Explore the hidden and fascinating world of plants through an intriguing photographic exhibition that will take you inside the leaf and over the crop fields through the eyes of plant scientists.
Saturday 11 August, 10.00am – 4.00pm
YWCA Canberra Clubhouse Open Day – Richardson
New members and mentors welcome to experience the activities we provide to our members, including photography.
Saturday 18 August, 10.00am – 2.00pm
NSW
Astrophotography Workshop at Sydney Observatory – Millers Point, Sydney
Reveal the hiding places of the stars shining in Sydney’s sky with a DSLR, tripod and a little practice. Using the same techniques applied from dark countrysides, learn and try some basic techniques to capture the stunning majesty of the heavens.
Thursday 9 August, 8.00pm – 10.00pm
Valley of Light – Centennial Park, Sydney
Re-imagine Centennial Parklands’ Federation Valley as a Valley of Light. We invite you to a free one-hour public light experience using 100 individual lights of various colours. Registration is required.
Friday 10 August, 5.00pm – 6.30pm
Explore Atlas of Life and Naturemapr – Bega
Activities include marvelling at the exhibition of last year’s “Wild Eye” photography competition winners, Get details so you can enter the 2018 Atlas Photography competition with great prizes.
Saturday 11 August – Saturday 18 August, 11:00 am to 2:00pm
Focus on Photosynthesis – Rydalmere
Focus on Photosynthesis is an exhibition of fifteen images taken by centre scientists, technicians, students and professional staff of the fascinating world of plants and plant research.
Thursday 9 August – Friday 17 August, 10.00am – 4.00pm
Sun Printing – Huskisson
Local artist and teacher, Antony Bunyan, will show you how to harness the power of sunlight with the oldest photographic printing process, cyanotypes or sun printing.
Saturday 18 August, 10.30am – 12.00pm
QLD
Townsville STEM Faire – Townsville
A celebration of STEM in the community, there will be competitions, prizes and loads of activities from robotics, drones, photography, challenges, and much much more (incl a STEM photography competition at 10 – 10.30).
Saturday 18 August, 9.00am – 2.30pm
SA
Science-Art at the Extremes of Antarctic Islands and the Southern Ocean – Golden Grove
Science-Art photographic display on an expedition to Antarctic Islands and the Southern Ocean. Celebrating a collaboration between an artist and a scientist from the Australian National University.
Saturday 11 August – Tuesday 11 September, 9.00am – 5.00pm
EchidnaCSI
EchidnaCSI asks the public to submit echidna sightings through phone photos and collect their scats using a free app.
Barossa: Thursday 9 August, 5.30pm – 7.30pm
SA Museum: Saturday 11 August, 10.00am – 3.00pm
University of Adelaide: Sunday 12 August, 9.00am – 5.00pm
Seal Bay Research Tours – Kangaroo Island
This tour gives guests the opportunity to explore behind-the-scenes at Seal Bay (Kangaroo Island) and become actively involved in the research and conservation program for the endangered Australian sea lion. Includes extended time on the beach to take photos.
Monday 13 August, 7.00am – 9.00am
Wednesday 15 August, 7.15am – 9.00am
Thursday 16 August, 7.15am – 9.00am
Healthy Port River: A SALA Exhibition – Port Adelaide
Inspired by the beauty and vulnerability of the Port River and Barker Inlet Estuary, five established and emerging artists, will be exhibiting drawings, glasswork, photographs and ceramics, in partnership with the Estuary Care Foundation.
Saturday 18 August – Sunday 26 August, 11.00am – 3.00pm
Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year – Adelaide
The stunning beauty of our natural world is on display at the South Australian Museum in the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition.
Friday 24 August – Sunday 11 November, 10.00am – 5.00pm
TAS
The Australian Antarctic Festival Photography Competition – Hobart
International photographic competition showing the best photography of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean. Cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award.
Thursday 2 August – Sunday 19 August, 10.00am – 4.00pm
BeakerStreet@TMAG – Hobart
BeakerStreet@TMAG, a pop-up science bar at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, is a stunning two-night festival of science and art for adults. Cast your vote in the science photography competition and exhibition!
Friday 10 August – Saturday 11 August, 6.00pm – 12.00am
Celebrate Slime: Hands-on Science with Sarah Lloyd – Westbury
Slime moulds love wet weather. Plasmodia become active and eventually form exquisite fruiting bodies. Sarah Lloyd will show photographs, answer questions and bring a range of different species for close inspection. Participants can also view the exhibition ‘Slime Moulds – Nature’s miniature jewels’.
Saturday 18 August, 2.00pm – 4.00pm
VIC
Adventures Under Southern Skies – An Art-Science Melding – Somers
An exhibition of regional astronomy and sky photography by the Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society in proud collaboration with PrimeSCI!, the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and Coolart Wetlands and Homestead.
Monday 16 July – Sunday 12 August, 10.00am – 12.00pm
Space Photo Competition
Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society invites submissions from primary & secondary school students in Victoria to an astronomy themed photo competition as part of our National Science Week program.
Closes Sunday 12 August
Science Photography Exhibition – Docklands
An exhibition of science photography by photographer Michael Silver featuring 1 x 1.4 metres prints of scientists working in various scientific disciplines.
Saturday 18 August – Sunday 26 August. Gallery Hours Thur – Sun, 12.00pm – 4.00pm
Astrophotography Workshop – Mount Martha
A day and evening that introduces you to the concepts of night sky photography and then you get to try it. Suitable for those who have some familiarity of daytime photography and who are keen to expand their horizons into the night and put into practice what they learn.
Saturday 8 September, 12.30pm to 10.00pm
WA
Astrofest Astrophotography Exhibition, Floortalks and Workshop – Geraldton
The Astrofest astrophotography competition showcases and celebrates the best of Western Australian astrophotography and astro-imaging. See amazing astro-images, join the curator on a floor talk or join the astrophotography workshop and bring out the budding astrophotographer within you.
Exhibition: 20 July – 20 August, 9.30am – 3.00pm
Floor talk: Saturday 11 August, 1.30 – 2.30pm
Floor talk: Sunday 12 August, 10,30am – 11.30am
Workshop: Saturday 11 August, 10.00am – 12.00pm
FROGGS Wildflower Bus Tour – Geraldton
Join the Friends of Geraldton Gardens (FROGGS) to discover some of the region’s beautiful wildflower varieties. You will have ample time to take photographs and immerse yourself in the wonder.
Saturday, 11 August, 12.00pm – 5.00pm
Sciensea After School Activities – Busselton and Dunsborough
Learn about the diverse marine life that live under the Busselton Jetty with marine science themed activity stations, including cool technology, samples and amazing photos.
Busselton: Tuesday 14 August, 3.30pm – 5.00pm
Dunsborough: Wednesday 15 August, 3.30pm – 5.00pm
Science Fair and Astronomy Night – Halls Creek
The Astronomy Night will be an exciting evening of locating, observing and photographing stars, planets and the Moon which will be open to students, families and the wider community.
Wednesday 15 August, 11.00am – 8.00pm
