Lord Mayor Clover Moore announced the winners at the launch of the outdoor Australian Life and Little Sydney exhibitions in Hyde Park.
Australian Life grand prize winner
A striking image of 2 women night-hunting for file snakes in the Northern Territory has been selected as the grand prize winner.
Hunting with Fire was taken at the Djulkar waterfall in West Arnhem Land by Matthew Abbott.
“Fire is woven into everything the Nawarddeken people do. It was fascinating to watch Stacey and Evelyn hunt in the glow of the lit paperbark. The paperbark only stays alight for a few seconds – there was small window of opportunity to capture the red glow!" Abbott said.
“It’s an honour to win! Australian Life is one of those rare prizes in terms of the breadth of work that it shows. Not many prizes are free to enter and have work displayed in large format in a location with so many people passing by”
Atong Atem was part of the judging panel in 2022 who chose the image.
“The beautiful red colour really drew me in. But there’s also such a beautiful sense of narrative with the two characters. Like it feels almost surreal. I think it’s just so stunning,” Atem said.
Australian Life people’s choice award winner
A total of 2,819 people’s choice votes were cast from 15 August to 13 September.
Wombarra Bowling Club by Katelyn Slyer received the most votes, winning a $5,000 Olympus photography prize pack.
"It feels so great to win the peoples choice award!" Slyer said.
"Rennie Ellis is an inspiration to me and I feel this photo highlights that – it has a relaxed Australian vibe.
"My style is documentary, alterative and voyeuristic – I like to create an image where people feel they are there with me."
"When shooting events and festivals I focus on the people, their raw emotions and their experience in the moment – this photo really highlights that."
See all finalists of the 2022 Australian Life photography competition
Little Sydney Lives winners
Lacey Griffiths from Blackwall won the 3 to 7 years category for Sparkly Spikes taken during a bush walk with her younger brother.
"I feel really proud to have won this! It’s so cool to receive this prize."
"I love to take photos of my friends dancing, when I’m out walking and when at home with my family," Griffiths said.
Waiaria Macedone-Hunt from Erskineville won the 8 to 12 years category for Reflections in an Erko Window of a Barbie window display at Café Piccolo.
Both Little Sydney Lives winners receive a $500 photography pack.
Winners of the photography competitions were selected by a panel of judges comprising artist Atong Atem, photographer Sam Ferris and curator Sebastian Goldspink.
See all Little Sydney Lives finalists
Published 15 September 2022, updated 16 September 2022
