As an amateur photographer The Australian Geographic Photographer of the Year competition is the pinnacle for Julien Parrot and when he had only two weeks to go to get his entry in, he realised he might just have nailed it.
“IT WAS a beautiful morning to be out,” Julien Parrot recalled of his stroll through Palm Grove with his Sony A7R3 camera in hand.
“I’d decided to go for a quick walk in the palm-grown red forest, a place known for its spectacular trees. Along the path, I found a composition I loved. It was perfect because it allowed me to showcase multiple trees, adding depth to the image. The fog played a crucial role, simplifying the scene while adding a beautiful atmosphere to the photograph.”
It was an ethereal scene with the fog closing in around him and the giant palms towering above.
Julien didn’t have long to capture the ancient landscape. The fog was quickly replaced by pouring rain.
Back at his desk editing the shots, Julien said he realised straightaway he’d captured an interesting scene.
“When it came time to edit the photo, I quickly switched to black and white. The colour in the original scene could sometimes be overwhelming, with the deep brown of the ground and the vibrant greens of the leaves and palms competing for attention.
“By going black and white, I was able to simplify the image further and focus on the contrast. This also gave me the chance to highlight the bark of each tree, showcasing their unique textures and identities.”
As he drove his parents to the airport after their two-month visit from Switzerland his feelings of sadness were replaced with joy when he discovered he’d become one of ten finalists in the prestigious competition.
“The photos in this competition are very beautiful,” he said. “It showcases an incredibly high standard of photography, and I’m thrilled to have made it to the finals.”
“What I appreciate most about this competition is its strong focus on sustainability and ethical practices. It ensures that wildlife photography, in particular, doesn’t disturb animals, and it follows strict regulations to protect nature. The goal is to present nature as it truly is, without overdoing it, and I’m proud to be part of that.”
Julien entered four photos into the competition, but it was “The Giants” that captured the judges.
As a Swiss-French backpacker travelling around Australia 15 years ago Julien was captivated by the landscapes and wildlife he discovered.
Taking pictures capturing the memories became a passion for the young father who fell in love with Tamborine Mountain and settled here seven years ago.
“Being able to photograph close to home is good,” he said.
“It has a lot of variety: palm groves, fig trees, The Knoll’s view with the waterfall and the seasonal swamps in Witches Falls.
“It’s nice to be able to go back to a specific location multiple times when the conditions are right.
Julien is now crowdfunding to publish his first book, a coffee table book, called Scenic Atmosphere.
Published on recycled paper, it will feature five categories including Tamborine Mountain, the unique trees of the scenic rim, Lamington National Park and fireflies.
Winners of the Australian Geographic Photographer of the Year will be announced on August 28.
