The spectacular shot titled The Silence (pictured above) was captured in Lake Toolondo, Victoria by Victorian photographer Jason Perry and is a finalist in the Astrophotography category of the 2022 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition - a new category launched this year.

It took Jason less than five minutes to snap this stunning scene under the stars, which was taken right before the Milky Way disappeared into blue hour on a dead silent foggy morning.

“I only had about 30 minutes until the Milky Way would be too far below the horizon to get this shot and the morning light was already fast approaching, so I had to work quickly,” Jason recalled.

“What really enticed me to take this shot was how low the Milky Way was on the horizon and seeing how the bigger trees in front were silhouetted by its light.”

Jason, who has been a photographer since 2017, was also the overall winner of this year’s Astrophotography category for another breathtaking photograph titled The Outlier.

When asked how he felt about being crowned this year’s People’s Choice winner in addition to winning the Astrophotography category in its inaugural year, he described the feeling as surreal.   

“It’s amazing that so many people I don’t even know voted for that image. For that I am extremely grateful,” he shared.   

“I hope this image will convey a sense of mystery and awe that seeks to engage the viewer in a moral and sentimental reflection with the cosmos and our place on this planet."

Reflecting on what drew people to vote for his image, Jason believes it all comes down to people’s connection and appreciation of nature’s beauty.

“I describe this experience of the sublime as the way in which you might be awed and intimidated by the grandeur of the infinite wondrous natural world, something which feels out of human control,” he explained.

“For me it’s therapeutic and I often explain it as a controlled fear that I can’t get enough of. Maybe some of the public connected with it for that reason.”

Director of the South Australian Museum Brian Oldman praised Jason for his win and is delighted that the new Astrophotography category has been well received by visitors. 

“Congratulations to Jason! It’s wonderful to see a finalist from the new Astrophotography category take home this year’s People’s Choice win,” said Mr Oldman.

The Silence is a striking shot that perfectly captures both the mystery and unique beauty of our natural world and the universe at large.”

 By submitting a vote, visitors to the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition at the South Australian Museum also had the chance to win a Nature Photographer prize pack, including

•  A one-year subscription to Australian Geographic magazine;

• A copy of Australian Geographic’s photographic book, A Portrait of Australia; and

• A 2022 exhibition catalogue and desk diary.

The Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition and resulting exhibition is managed and produced annually by the South Australian Museum. The exhibition is on at the South Australian Museum until Sunday 30 October 2022 and is on tour at the Australian Museum in Sydney until Sunday 11 December 2022. Tickets can be purchased here.