Maxwell Tooby, Darkinjung Country illuminated by lightning (LANDSCAPE 2025)

After a scorching summer’s day in January 2025, a cool southerly front surged up the coast. Armed with my camera, I raced to a prominent photography spot on Mount Ettalong. As lightning flashed and thunder echoed through the escarpment, I captured this single, powerful bolt striking centre frame, with the storm's main front rolling in dramatically to the right.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.