Australian photographer Ross Gudgeon has received high commendation in the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition for his stunning underwater image titled "Fractal Forest." The photograph, captured in Indonesia's Lembeh Strait, reveals the intricate forest-like structure of a cauliflower coral (Dendronephthya) from an extraordinary interior perspective.
Gudgeon's award-winning image was selected in the Natural Artistry category, which celebrates photographs that reflect the simple beauty or complex artistry of nature. The category accepts both color and black-and-white images that remain true to nature while showcasing its artistic qualities. His work stood out among entries in the Adult Wildlife Photographer of the Year division for 2025.
The Perth-based photographer employed innovative techniques to capture this unique perspective of the soft coral. Using an extended macro wide lens—an underwater version of a probe lens—Gudgeon carefully threaded the equipment between the coral branches without disturbing the delicate structure. He then backlit the entire scene using two flashes to illuminate the coral's intricate branching patterns, creating the forest-like appearance that gives the image its name.
Soft corals like the Dendronephthya species featured in Gudgeon's photograph are filter-feeding invertebrates commonly found in the Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean regions. Unlike hard corals that rely on photosynthesis through symbiotic algae, soft corals sustain themselves differently. Each polyp-tipped branch extends feathery tentacles that act like natural combs, filtering water currents to capture floating phytoplankton for nutrition.
Gudgeon brings a unique background to underwater photography as a former submarine marine engineer officer and retired mechanical engineer. His technical expertise translates into his photographic approach, which focuses on getting exceptionally close to subjects using macro lenses and close-focus wide-angle techniques to create detailed portraits and document marine behavior. He has extensively explored diving locations across Australia, including Ningaloo Reef, Port Phillip Bay, and the New South Wales coast, as well as Indonesia and the Philippines within the Coral Triangle.
The award-winning photograph was captured using a Sony α7R IV camera with a 90mm f2.8 macro lens, shot at 1/100 second at f9 with ISO 400. The lighting setup included two Retra Pro flashes, and the entire system was housed in a Nauticam NA-α7R IV underwater housing to protect the equipment in the marine environment.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, featuring Gudgeon's work alongside other winning images, is currently accepting ticket sales. The exhibition aims to help visitors pause, reflect, and reconnect with the natural world through images that celebrate nature's awe-inspiring beauty while urging protection of these fragile ecosystems. The competition continues to harness the power of photography to advance scientific knowledge, spread awareness of important environmental issues, and nurture global appreciation for nature.
