06/12/2025
Grand Prize: Australian Institute of Physics Photography Competition;
"The Beauty of Physics": Home Made Tesla Coil Photograph Wins Grand Prize.
Several months ago, I discovered a photography competition organised by the ACT Branch of the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP). The theme for the contest was "The Beauty of Physics", which immediately caught my attention due to my longstanding interests in both physics and photography.
Enthusiastic to participate, I contacted the department at the Australian National University to verify whether the competition was open to entrants from across Australia. Upon confirmation that it was accessible to anyone nationwide, I decided to submit my entry.
For the competition, I chose to submit an image of my home built Tesla Coil, believing it perfectly encapsulated the theme and showcased the fascinating amalgamation of science and visual art of photography.
On 13/11/2025, I was both proud and honoured to receive notification that my Tesla Coil photograph had been awarded the Grand Prize. This recognition means a great deal to me, and I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to showcase my life's work.
I would like to extend my appreciation and thanks to Dr. Eliezer Estrecho and Dr. Wayne Hutchison, as well as the ACT Branch of the Australian Institute of Physics, for their support and for acknowledging my contribution to the world of Physics and our understanding of the physical world.
Supplied Photo Caption:
"This image is a capture of my personal quest to build a Tesla Coil. What started as practical exercise, resulted in a museum quality device showcasing the physical world of electricity, plasma and high-frequency behaviour. The resulting multiple banding effect seen in the discharges, known as the "Banjo Effect" is actually showing the operational frequency of the resonant secondary circuit each time the gap fires. The coil is powered by 180W input, and operating at a secondary frequency around 1.708MHz."
Congratulations to the fellow winners in this competition.
