ABOUT LUMEN AUSTRALIS
Lumen Australis is a group of four Australia-based landscape photographers established in 2020. This group features Chris Saunders, Mieke Boynton, Ricardo Da Cunha and Matt Palmer. Our goal is to share the beauty of earth and provide a positive voice for nature through photography.
Each member of Lumen Australis offers various educational services through their respective websites. As time together is rare and requires substantial preparation, we are focused primarily on creating new works together. If you have a proposal for collaboration that would support us in achieving that goal, please email us at team@lumenaustralis.com and any potential collaborations will be tabled with the full group.
LUMEN AUSTRALIS MEMBERS
Chris Saunders
I knew of Chris’ stunning photography well before I met him. I was amazed by his superb aerials, and when he won both “Australian Landscape Photographer of the Year” and “Australian Professional Photographer of the Year” at the Australian Institute of Professional Photography APPA Awards in 2018 with an incredibly sophisticated and polished series of aerials, I was absolutely in awe. So it came as a bit of a surprise to me that I then met him in person at the following year’s AIPP Awards not as a judge, nor as an award-winning photographer, but out the back with white gloves on, volunteering as a print handler. He had travelled all the way from Perth WA to Melbourne to help with all the back-of-house tasks alongside students and newbies like me.
Since then, I’ve come to know Chris much better, and now understand that his humility, lack of ego and genuine concern for others are cornerstones of his character. Though he has won many prestigious photography awards (including being named the 2022 Australian Professional Photographer of the Year at the NZIPP Iris Awards in New Zealand and winning the 2022 Creative Landscape & Travel category at the WPPI Awards in the USA) and is regarded by many as the best aerial photographer currently practicing in Australia, these accolades do not define him. His intelligence, thoughtfulness, love of family, and dedication to his craft are more impressive than any of the awards he’s received.
Chris’ skills extend well beyond his keen eye for an excellent composition. Aside from his technical prowess in the field, Chris is also admired for his finely-honed editing skills and his outstanding print-making. In fact, I’m not sure which he enjoys more: making prints or taking photographs! The time Chris dedicates to perfecting his prints is evident in the finished work: Chris’ printed artworks are truly exceptional. He has had his work exhibited in several successful joint and solo exhibitions. As someone who is always pushing the boundaries and seeking ways to innovate, his knowledge-base is continually expanding, but rather than keep this learning to himself, he is incredibly generous and is always willing to share his wealth of information for the benefit of others.
Chris is a supremely talented artist with a unique vision. He is able to "read" the landscape and interpret what he sees and then take it somewhere special, enhancing its emotion with nuanced finesse. His work is of the calibre that you see it once and can still remember it clearly, months and years later. It is sometimes subtle, sometimes bold, but always exciting.
Written by Mieke.
See more of Chris's work at 645imaging.com
Mieke Boynton
Having had the absolute pleasure and privilege of shooting with Mieke on multiple occasions, I can attest to her unsurpassed passion for what she photographs… Watching Meike become fully immersed in her natural surroundings, and become truly present in the ‘moment’, I have seen for myself how she is able to simply ‘listen’ and allow the landscape to speak to her. So profound is Mieke’s connection to the landscape, that it elevates itself to a spiritual level.
With the seeds of her life’s passion and work planted in the rich indigenous Kimberely region of Australia, Mieke has always demonstrated an upmost respect for the land, and the first custodians of it, where she captures its true and authentic essence. It’s no wonder then that Mieke is an avid proponent for The Nature First Alliance. When all these qualities are woven into her images, we can then begin to understand why so much soul is permeated within Mieke’s breathtaking imagery…
Within her imagery, a rich diversity is clear to see. Travel, landscape, nature, people, and macro, to name just a few. Whilst exceptionally varied, all genres that Meike captures are all at a world class standard… Perhaps though it is when she takes to the sky and shows us aerial images not ever seen before, that the illustrious and world renowned Mieke Boynton name is made.
Mieke was the first Australian and first female to win the prestigious Epson International Pano Awards in 2019. This was just the beginning though... Mieke has since gone on to win the highly coveted NZIPP International Photographer of the Year in 2021, and is the two time winner of the NZIPP Australian Landscape Photographer of the Year in 2022 and 2023. In the latter year, Mieke also represented Australia in the 2023 World Photographic Cup. Perhaps the most special of all her accolades though, is being awarded the Maitre de la Fédération Internationale de l'Art Photographique (MFIAP) Distinction with FIAP (the International Federation of Art Photography).
Of recent times, Mieke has further cemented her standing and credibility among her industry peers, when together with her equally recognised husband, Matt Palmer, opened their Alpine Light gallery in the heart of Victoria’s beautiful high country.
Written by Ric.
Ricardo Da Cunha
Ricardo Da Cunha’s biography states that he's “on a journey, finding his voice in photography, and possibly more of himself along the way”. For someone who has travelled and photographed with Ricardo, I’ve personally observed that he has an amazing ability to amplify the voice in others and is often an example of how to put the camera aside – if only for a moment – and truly connect with Landscape and Place with one’s heart.
His work reflects that approach. Photographs created by not just what is seen, but what is felt deep within. While Ric is an excellent photographer, his post-production abilities are formidable and he uses these skills to craft images with profound narratives. These stories often connect the natural world with the human one and allow the observer to view human emotion in a different way.
Ric’s ability as a photographer is respected world-wide. He achieved an AIPP Master of Photography with a gold bar (basically meaning he met the criteria as a Master twice over!) and has a significant list of awards to his name, including the 2020 International Color Awards Photographer of the Year, the 2020 RISE International Awards Landscape Photographer of the Year, and the 2014 AIPP Australian Landscape Photographer of the Year.
Ricardo has been featured in publications like Capture Magazine and Australian Photography, and in 2021 he released his highly-anticipated publication ‘SPACE’. It marked the first major release of his photographs in an open and limited-edition book. With the inclusion of an accompanying soundtrack, the book is a multi-sensory experience designed to evoke stillness, deeper thought, and peace.
With an immense respect and appreciation for nature, Ric is also a strong supporter of The Nature First Alliance. He is also a member of The Light Collective where he works to raise awareness and appreciation for – and protection of – our wilderness areas.
Written by Matt.
See more of Ric's work at ricardodacunha.com.au
Matt Palmer
Matt Palmer is an accomplished Australian photographer renowned for his ability to capture the spirit of the natural environment. With a remarkable talent for storytelling through imagery, he has firmly established himself as a prominent figure in the world of documentary, nature and landscape photography.
Matt's portfolio showcases an exceptional mastery of composition, seamlessly blending technical expertise with artistic storytelling. His photographs possess a unique ability to transport viewers into the very heart of the scenes he captures, whether it's a majestic landscape, an intimate encounter with wildlife, or a compelling documentary moment. Through his lens, Matt unveils the often-overlooked details and evokes the profound emotions that lie beneath the surface.
Over the course of his career, Matt Palmer has gained numerous accolades, reflecting his impressive talent and dedication to his craft. His work has been widely exhibited, and his photography has graced the pages of many international publications. He has been honoured with esteemed awards such as Australian Photographer of the Year, Canopy Awards winner, and Australian Documentary Photographer of the Year, solidifying his position as one of Australia's most respected photographers.
Passionate about environmental conservation, Matt utilizes his platform to raise awareness about fragile ecosystems and the natural wonders he captures. From shedding light on rainforest preservation to documenting the impact of fires on the Tasmanian environment, he strives to protect and showcase the beauty of our planet. His commitment to capturing the intricacies of the world and the human experience has earned him immense respect within the industry.
Now based in Bright, Victoria, Matt Palmer co-runs the Alpine Light Gallery alongside his wife, Mieke. This collaborative space serves as a platform to exhibit his breathtaking work and share his passion for photography with the local community and beyond.
Through his evocative imagery, Matt Palmer invites viewers to embrace a more considerate perspective of the world, fostering a deeper appreciation for the connections that unite us all.
Written by Chris.
See more of Matt's work at MattPalmer.co