A forgotten image of a life and death "hide and seek" struggle has won its artist the 2018 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year prize.
Malaysia-based Tracey Jennings was diving under the Arborek Jetty in Raja Ampat, part of West Papua and Indonesia, when she saw the moment — a chase began between predators and prey.
"I spent about six hours in total at a depth of less than five metres under the single, relatively small jetty, only leaving when I finished my second air tank, way after sunset," Jennings said.
"This picture actually lay unloved on my hard drive for almost a year, and when I did finally go through my images this one jumped out at me.
"I love how the light plays through the fish, and how it really describes the essence of the feeling I experienced when below the jetty, where life and death plays around you."
Jennings is the first individual woman to win the competition and its prize of $10,000 and an Antarctic expedition.
The competition recognises 10 additional categories for photos taken in Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea and Antarctica.
Australian Geographic editor-in-chief Chrissie Goldrick said the photographs underscore "what a unique and diverse part of the world we live in".
"These winning photographers help us all to appreciate that more fully through their talent and dedication," Ms Goldrick said.
The South Australian Museum, which runs the awards, said there were a record 2,288 entries in this year's competition.
"We're proud to produce such an exciting exhibition with each image highlighting the role museums play in educating people about nature," museum director Brian Oldman said.
The judges were full of praise for Jennings's overall winning snap.
"[It has] a huge amount of energy with a rich cacophony of shapes and an explosion of tonality," the judges said.
"Removing colour from the image allows us to focus on the subject.
"The vortex of fish draws us in and makes us want to be there, to take up underwater photography so we can experience the situation. A great shot with significant wow factor."
Nature photographers are also recognised in categories including animal portrait and behaviour, botanical, monochrome and landscape images, and threatened species and human impact pictures.
