Blue mushrooms, shy trees and glowing seas: Beaker Street science photography prize – in pictures

# Blue mushrooms, shy trees and glowing seas: Beaker Street science photography prize – in pictures

**HOBART, Australia** – A luminous blue mushroom emerging from damp forest floor, a "shy" tree seemingly recoiling from human touch, and bioluminescent waves crashing against a Tasmanian shore are among the 12 finalists selected for the 2026 Beaker Street science photography prize, now on display at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.

The exhibition, running from 6 to 17 August in conjunction with the Beaker Street festival, showcases images that blend scientific observation with artistic composition. The finalists were chosen from more than 800 submissions across Australia, representing a 22% increase in entries compared to the 2025 competition, according to organizers.

The prize, now in its sixth year, awards $10,000 to the overall winner, with category prizes of $2,500 each for "Living World," "Earth and Sky," and "People and Science." This year’s judging panel included three research scientists and two professional photographers, who evaluated entries on both scientific merit and visual impact.

The finalists: From newborn fish to satellite trails

Among the most striking entries is Dr. Amelia Chen’s photograph of a newborn dragonfish, captured just seconds after hatching in a laboratory at the University of Tasmania. The image, magnified 40 times under a microscope, reveals transparent skeletal structures and developing organs.

"Few people have ever seen a dragonfish at this stage of development," said Chen, a marine biologist at the university. "The transparency allows us to study organ formation in real time, but it also creates an image that feels almost otherworldly."

Another finalist, photographer Marcus Webb, documented the phenomenon of "tree shyness" – where canopy gaps form between adjacent trees in dense forests. His image shows eucalyptus crowns separated by distinct open spaces, a pattern scientists attribute to light competition and wind abrasion.

"We observed this in the Tarkine rainforest, where the gaps are so precise they look intentional," Webb said. "It’s a reminder that trees communicate and compete in ways we’re only beginning to understand."

The collection also includes a photograph of satellite trails crossing the Milky Way above Lake St Clair, taken by amateur astronomer Sarah Ling. The image contains 14 visible satellite streaks, reflecting the growing congestion of low-Earth orbit.

"Five years ago, you might see one or two trails in a long exposure," Ling said. "Now, it’s rare to capture a clean image of the night sky. This photo is both beautiful and a record of change."

Bioluminescence and biodiversity

A fourth finalist, biologist Dr. James Park, captured bioluminescent dinoflagellates lighting up the surf at Binalong Bay. The phenomenon, caused by microscopic organisms emitting light when disturbed, has become a popular attraction but remains poorly understood.

"Bioluminescence is a chemical reaction – luciferin reacting with oxygen – but why these organisms evolved it is still debated," Park said. "Defense against predators? Attracting mates? This image invites curiosity about the unseen life in our oceans."

Other finalists include photographs of a native wasp parasitizing a caterpillar, the crystalline structure of Antarctic ice, and the fluorescent veins of a Tasmanian waratah flower under ultraviolet light.

Forward-looking analysis

The Beaker Street prize reflects a broader trend in science communication, where visual storytelling increasingly drives public engagement with research. According to a 2025 survey by the Australian Science Media Centre, science-related content with accompanying imagery receives 3.4 times more engagement on social platforms than text-only posts. The exhibition’s timing – coinciding with Australia’s National Science Week – positions it as a key event for reaching audiences beyond traditional academic circles.

As satellite constellations expand and coastal ecosystems face pressure from climate change, these images serve as both documentation and warning. The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery expects more than 15,000 visitors during the exhibition period, according to museum director Prof. Helen Marshall.

"The photographs in this year’s final capture moments of discovery we might otherwise miss," she said. "Science is about seeing the world differently, and these artists help us do exactly that."