Road Less Travelled

Wander profoundly, travel deeply, surrender wholly of don't go at all... Take the Road Less Travelled. Awe-inspiring stories, photos and media from the most incredible destinations and cultures on planet earth.

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Top 100 Travel Photos from Around the World

Posted on 24th February 2020 1st February 2022 Author Ben Farrell

In celebration of my new book, Capture the World: The Ultimate Guide to Evocative Travel Photography & Inspired Digital Storytelling , I’ve curated my top 100 travel photos from around the world.

Nothing opens the mind like travel. New places and cultures have a transformational power that expands our consciousness, pushing us deep into a place that’s both overwhelming yet grounding. Quantum physics teaches us that what we ‘see’ as reality is anything but . Not only is our perception merely an illusion but even this, we perceive through a cluttered and bias lens of past experience , likes, dislikes, and long-held beliefs. This static and rigid schema begins in childhood and solidifies as our ego expands and we begin to subconsciously filter out what we don’t consider valuable.

inspiring travel photos

The problem here is we miss so much. We stop appreciating the raw, present experiences and instead edit, rehearse and re-run life in our head . Yet, travel has the power to break down this arrogant veil and get us seeing the world anew again. It makes us present and appreciative as well as imbues an understanding that our way of living is only one among many yet, we’re all connected as humans across cultures as a giant diverse web of collective consciousness .

For me, I think it’s important to capture these moments. To freeze time and light of a moment and make it immortal. Travel photography is powerful and serves as not just a reminder of our travels and the vastness of the globe but also inspires us to wander profoundly, travel deeply and surrender wholly… to take the Road Less Travelled. I did, and that has made all the difference.

This collection spans countries, continents, and cultures. So, strap yourself in for a visual journey taking in the top photos from around the world. Don’t forget to register for a discounted copy of my upcoming travel photography book/eBook to learn how to take your own travel photography to the next level.

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Inspiration 20 Travel Photographers You Should Know

“My life is shaped by the urgent need to wander and observe, and my camera is my passport.” – Steve McCurry

Intrepid and visionary, photographers have long ventured forth to document their journeys and capture the essence of the places they explore. In celebration of our 2023 Travel Photography Award , (open for entries until the end of August) we’ve curated a list of 20 photographers, past and present, whose inspiring images embody the unique allure of travel.

1. Steve McCurry

Steve McCurry , the esteemed judge of our current Travel Award , is a globally-renowned figure in the world of photography. His remarkable oeuvre encompasses some of the most iconic images of our time and showcases the awe-inspiring beauty and cultural diversity of our planet.

Born in Philadelphia in 1950, McCurry studied cinematography at Pennsylvania State University, after which he worked as a staff photographer for the local newspaper Today’s Post . However, driven by his passion for travel and photography, he embarked on a journey to India, a country that would become synonymous with his name due to the stunning images he captured throughout his career. It was this inaugural trip that sparked the epiphanic realization, “if you wait, people will forget your camera and the soul will drift up into view”, setting the foundation for a remarkable career and some truly captivating images encompassing every corner of the globe.

2. Inge Morath

One of the most influential photographers in the history of the medium, Inge Morath travelled extensively throughout her career, forming close relationships with the places she visited through her absolute immersion in the local culture. The remarkable images she captured, display her wonderful artistry and serve as fascinating mementos of their time, whilst demonstrating the profound potential of color photography long before it gained widespread acceptance.

3. Michael Yamashita

Few photographers convey the sheer joy of travel like Michael Yamashita . Over the past three decades, he has embarked on a journey around the world, capturing breathtaking images of its landscapes and people.

Though, throughout his career, Yamashita has photographed on six different continents, it is his work in Asia that has become particularly renowned. With an Asian Studies major from Wesleyan University and Japanese heritage, Yamashita has become an expert in the region and has photographed extensively in China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and India, capturing images that articulately convey the cultural diversity and stunning beauty of this fascinating continent.

4. Denis Dailleux

Though he has photographed various locations, Denis Dailleux is inseparably linked to Egypt , a country with which he has had a long and complex love affair, that has engendered some truly stunning imagery. His images convey a deep understanding of the Egyptian people and their culture, capturing their humanity and resilience.

He first visited the country in 1992, to join his Egyptian lover whom he had met in Paris a year earlier, and immediately fell in love with the country, captivated by its beguiling beauty and the warmth and generosity of its people.

He spent the next three decades visiting the country (before eventually, living there for several years), capturing its unique essence with love, tenderness, profound respect, and a masterful eye for form, light, and color.

5. Martine Franck

One of the finest practitioners of her time, and, like her husband Henri Cartier-Bresson, a major proponent of the humanist style, Martine Franck spent much of her life traversing the globe, capturing utterly compelling depictions of everyday life with remarkable grace and artistry. Her subjects and locations were as diverse as Tibetan temples, and industrial Northern English towns, whilst she also photographed her homeland extensively, notably in 1976, when she and four female compatriots, were commissioned by La Fondation Nationale de la Photographie to document their countrymen and women on vacation, during which she captured her now iconic photograph ‘Swimming Pool Designed by Alain Capeilleres, La Brusc’.

6. Alex Webb

“Most of my projects seem to start as exploratory journeys with no visible end in sight.” — Alex Webb

Renowned photojournalist, and judge of our 2020 Street Photography Award (alongside his wife and fellow photographer Rebecca Norris-Webb) Alex Webb is a master of capturing the decisive moment, rendering images filled with energy and movement that communicate brilliantly the atmosphere of the scene.⁠ ⁠ While he has photographed extensively in his homeland, Webb is best known for his vibrant and dynamic work in Latin America and the Caribbean. His images capture the region’s unique atmosphere, rich colors, and intricate details, offering a captivating glimpse into this part of the world.⁠

7. Maggie Steber

One of the finest photographers of her generation, Maggie Steber has dedicated her life to documenting some of the most important stories of our time, a mission that has taken her to some 70 countries, and encompassed everything from the African slave trade to natural disasters. Forthright and rooted in compassion, her images, which have graced the pages of many of the world’s most important publications including, National Geographic, The New York Times Magazine, and The Guardian, cut to the heart of the human condition, leaving a lasting impact on viewers worldwide.

8. Frédéric Lagrange

Frédéric Lagrange is a French-born photographer whose breathtaking imagery showcases the dramatic beauty and cultural diversity of our world. Over the last decade and a half, he has traveled extensively, visiting approximately 100 countries across almost every continent, focusing particularly on secluded shores and remote areas, such as the wild and rugged Wakhan Corridor in northeastern Afghanistan. His stunning images, which have been published in The New York Times Magazine, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, and The New Yorker (among others) evoke a sense of intrepidity and solidify his position as one of today’s most talented travel photographers.

9. Sebastião Salgado

One of the medium’s most masterful living practitioners, Brazilian photojournalist Sebastião Salgado is renowned for his powerful monochromatic images that tell the human stories behind some of the most important issues of our age.

During the course of his near-five decade-long career, he has traversed the globe, capturing extraordinary images, though it is perhaps his depictions of his homeland for which he is best known. In 1986, he travelled to the notorious Serra Pelada gold mine, to photograph some of the 50,000 workers who worked in terrible conditions. His most recent project, the landmark, Amazonia a series of stunning images of the landscapes and people of the world’s largest rainforest captured during a series of trips over the course of six years, is one of his most impressive, communicating the dramatic beauty, incredible biodiversity, and rich cultural heterogeneity of what the photographer calls “paradise on earth”, and thus highlighting the importance of its conservation at what is a crucial tipping point in the fight against climate change.

10. Pia Riverola

One of the best-known travel photographs of recent years, Pia Riverola , is renowned for her dreamy, pastel-hued renderings, which flawlessly capture the very essence of their subject matter.

Whether it’s vibrant flower markets in Mexico City, neon-lit and rain-drenched streets in Tokyo , or the lush landscapes of South American jungles, Riverola ‘s photographs exude a nostalgic and dream-like quality, displaying her masterful understanding of light and inducing a powerful sense of wanderlust.

11. Bruno Barbey

One of the finest photographers of our time, Moroccan-born, French photographer Bruno Barbey, has spent the last five decades travelling the world capturing powerful images that display his unique artistic voice and intrepidity. Over the years he has photographed in Brazil, China, India, his homeland France, and Morrocco, his birthplace, returning on numerous occasions to capture stunning, color-rich images that convey the unique essence of the country.

12. Jimmy Nelson

Judge of our recent Portrait Award , Jimmy Nelson, has dedicated the last ten years to documenting indigenous cultures around the world, which face increasing threats to their traditions and ways of life.

Nelson ‘s adventurous spirit was ignited during his childhood through his father’s work as an exploratory geologist. His first major project involved an epic journey on foot across Tibet in 1987, while seven years later, he documented the newly-opened People’s Republic of China in his acclaimed project “Literary Portraits of China,” which was exhibited in Tiananmen Square before touring globally.

However, it was his subsequent travels around the world to photograph remote cultures using a traditional 50-year-old plate camera, that laid the foundation for the project for which he is best known. “Before They Pass Away”, comprises stunning portraits of 35 different indigenous communities across the globe, capturing their unique traditions and practices in the face of globalization and industrialization.

13. Jim Richardson

Though born in the US, Richardson is immensely proud of his Celtic roots and has spent much of his career focusing on Ireland and Scotland. The latter has been a particularly prominent subject, his fascination with the wild landscapes of the Scottish highlands and the remote islands off its western coastline, engendering a wealth of captivating landscape images that articulate its unique, rugged beauty.

14. Matthieu Paley

French-born Matthieu Paley is one of the finest contemporary travel photographers, whose practice focuses on remote areas, and those communities that call them home.

Working on assignments for National Geographic and other leading publications, he has captured profoundly fascinating photo essays on hunter-gatherers in Tanzania, Greenland’s Inuit and Afghanistan’s Kyrgyz nomads (which he did over the course of a decade), leading to a number of notable awards, including a 2017 World Press Photo award for his portrayal of a Uighur woman in western China.

15. Brooke Holm

The 2nd Prize Winner of our 2018 Color Award for her breathtaking depiction of an Icelandic landscape, Australian-American artist Brooke Holm is one of the most exciting emerging proponents of travel photography. Inspired by satellite imagery and therefore, captured almost invariably from above, her depictions of some of the world’s most beautiful natural scenery are akin to paintings. Rich in color, texture and form, they offer a divergence from conventional viewpoints, showing the natural world at scale, in an attempt to subvert traditional anthropocentric narratives and advocate for coexistence with our environment and its inhabitants.

16. Galen Rowell

Equal parts adventurer and photographer, Galen Rowell spent the majority of his extraordinary life traversing some of the world’s most lofty areas, and capturing stunning landscape images that convey the beauty of the subject.

Throughout his career, Rowell undertook assignments for prestigious publications like LIFE and National Geographic, fearlessly venturing into remote and unforgiving locations, capturing them with unmatched artistry that still resonates today. His work not only showcased the natural wonders of these landscapes but also left a profound impact on the field of photography, inspiring generations of landscape photographers and ensuring his legacy lives on through his work.

17. Ami Vitale

Considered one of the most important conservation photographers of her generation, Ami Vitale has spent her career travelling the globe, traversing more than 100 countries and capturing stunning images that illuminates the often-overlooked heroes and communities whose efforts to protect wildlife and the natural world are truly inspiring. A Nikon Ambassador and regular contributor to National Geographic, Vitale has received numerous awards and commendations over the years, among them a Lucie Humanitarian Award and numerous World Press Photo prizes, which stand as a testament to her dedication and talent in her field. 

18. Jody MacDonald

Few can rival Jody MacDonald when it comes to intrepidity. The award-winning adventurer and photographer has visited over 100 countries and spent a decade travelling the globe on a 60-foot catamaran, on an expedition to uncover the most remote and untamed corners of the planet. Working on assignment for National Geographic and other leading publications, or commercial projects for the likes of Patagonia and Red Bull, MacDonald has photographed some of the harshest and most difficult-to-reach corners of the earth – from the Sahara to the Himalayas – capturing stunning images that communicate the wild beauty of our world.

19. Evelyn Hofer

Few, if any photographers in history captured the essence of cites in the manner of Evelyn Hofer , the enigmatic German-born photographer who, throughout her impressive career, travelled the world photographing its landscapes and people with rarely-matched grace and artistry.

Whether it was Dublin, Paris, Florence, or the cities of her adopted homeland, the United States, Hofer’s photographs capture the essence of the subject. Underpinned by a masterful understanding of form, light, and color, today they stand as timeless testaments to her artistic vision and her ability to reveal the profound beauty that exists within the tapestry of our world.

20. René Burri

                                                                                 

All images © their respective owners

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Photo Tips, Creative Photography + Travel Guides - The Wandering Lens

  • 10 Inspiring Travel Photographers to Watch
  • Inspiration
  • By Lisa Michele Burns

inspiring travel photos

When it comes to the business of inspiring wanderlust, travel photography plays a crucial role. It’s a profession about creating images that encapsulate the culture and sense of place along with the landscape and light. One where you strive to showcase a unique perspective and take photos that make people want to jump on a plane to experience that exact moment captured with your camera.

Travel photography is all around us. The dream of visiting far away places is alive and well which has led to a boom in visual marketing and creative content. Social media has provided an endless supply of inspirational images where at the click of a button you can see a photo from any corner of the world. It can be overwhelming to have so much content available and as a photographer, sometimes it can feel like your work is getting lost in a sea of talent.

Which leads me to this article. I started The Wandering Lens to share my own travel photography ( www.lisamicheleburns.com ) with the aim of unearthing beautiful destinations via guides for travel photographers or just anyone hoping to take some cool shots on holiday. While that is still the core of the site’s existence, I also want to shed a little light on photographers making waves in the world of travel photography and begin sharing career advice .

For the past few weeks I’ve been searching for ten photographers whose work is refreshing and inspiring. I could have easily put together a list of 100…and maybe sometime soon I will, but for now, take a peek at ten travel photographers worth following on their adventures around the world. I asked about their career aspirations, dream photography itinerary and also to share a piece of advice for those hoping to improve their photography!

To learn more about working as a travel photographer, you can read my guide here and also an updated version for 2021 here .

*Please note this article was compiled in 2016, an updated version is on the way!

Scroll down to have a peek at their work and hear what they answered…

Annapurna Mellor, UK

Website –  annapurnamellorphotography.com

Instagram – @annapurnauna

#1 Describe your work/career aspirations:  In the long run, I hope to make a living from my photography and writing full-time. At the moment, I am trying to build my portfolio, write for different publications and expand my income sources by setting up a print shop, working with different stock libraries and approaching different publications. I’m also very interested in working with NGO’s and expanding my work into Photojournalism while still keeping that travel/cultural foundation. I love to tell stories, and this is where my main inspiration for photography comes from, so hopefully in the future I’ll have more chance to do that.

#2 What is your dream travel itinerary?  I’ve spent most of the last three years in Asia and I am still in love with the continent. I would love to spend more time exploring and photographing the Himalayan region- Ladakh, Tibet, Bhutan and the remote corners of Nepal. I’d love to build my portfolio around the Himalayas and Tibetan culture, as I feel a very strong connection to this part of the world and the lifestyle of the people. I’m also fascinated by Central Asia and that blend of Islamic and Asian culture- so I think Afghanistan and Iran would also be a dream trip, perhaps over landing across that whole region for a photo book.

#3 Share a piece of advice for how people can improve their photographs?  The simplest advice I can give is to get up before dawn and shoot through golden hour before the light gets too harsh. I love soft light in my images, and most tourists don’t get up this early so you have more of a chance of capturing a scene reflecting true local culture. Timing your travels during festivals, and getting off the beaten track to unusual markets also helps create more interesting images which no one else will have. The internet is now so saturated with photography, you really have to think outside the box to create images which are unique and reflect your personal style and vision of the world. Thinking in that way will help your photography to grow much more than spending money on fancy equipment or following the photography rule book ever will.

Charlie Keating, USA

Website – https://charliekeating.wixsite.com/charliekeating

Instagram – @charlie_keating

#1 Describe your work/career aspirations:   I am currently studying business in school, but have been learning how to start my own business through photography and have learned an incredible amount through that. I hope to one day be able to support myself and a family through travel and photography as Chris Burkard does.

#2 What is your dream travel itinerary?  My dream travel itinerary is to road trip from San Diego to Canada and back down through Wyoming and such to Los Angeles. I’d stop at all the major spots on the way and shoot surf photography and incredible landscapes up the coast. Then I’d get a different perspective in the PNW and Canada with all the waterfalls and lakes and gloomier weather.

#3 Share a piece of advice for how people can improve their photographs?  One piece of advice I would give is to be constantly shooting. If you can bring your camera wherever you go, you will figure out through trial and error what you like, what your style is, and it will improve you photographs tremendously.

Blake Polden, Australia

Instagram – @blakepolden

#1 Describe your work/career aspirations:  For me it all comes down to being happy, if I can “create a life I don’t need a vacation from” then that is what I aspire to do. But in saying that, of course I hope to one day, hopefully soon, do travel photography full time. Nothing would be better than seeing and experiencing new cultures and sights regularly whilst capturing them. That would be the dream, and one I intend to make a reality!

#2 What is your dream travel itinerary?  This is honestly the hardest question for me, there isn’t a place on this earth I don’t want to visit, so to narrow it down is pain staking. But the dream at the moment would be to live the #vanlife driving across North America and into Canada!

#3 Share a piece of advice for how people can improve their photographs?  Constant persistence. Pick up a camera and go shoot! There’s only way to improve you’re craft and that is constantly practice, to be persistent and I promise you, you will improve! I believe it’s the best feeling in the world, to press that shutter and know you’ve just frozen time, captured a moment, for me it’s the closet thing we have to magic! Another small piece of advice is don’t worry about your gear, it’s not important, you’re ideas and creativity is more important!

Sam Deuchrass, New Zealand

Website – http://samdeuchrass.com/

Instagram – @samdeuchrass

#1 Describe your work/career aspirations:  Photography for me has been a gateway to explore new places, travel and go on adventures with like minded people, so my aspirations coincide with this. My goal is to become a contributing photographer for National Geographic, and to work on projects that portray nature and the outdoors with a unique perspective. Ultimately I would love to inspire the next generation of creative individuals with my work.

#2 What is your dream travel itinerary?  Social Media has been a great source of creative inspiration, after following a few of my favourite photographers I have several locations that I would include in my dream travel itinerary. However if I were to limit these to a few locations they would be Iceland, Norway and Canada. The geographically diversity of Iceland that includes breathtaking landscapes of fire and ice. The Norway fjords, auroras and mountains. Finally spots within Canada such as Banff and Jasper. Other locations that I would love to photograph include Yosemite National Park (USA), Faroe Islands and South Georgia.

#3 Share a piece of advice for how people can improve their photographs?  Simplicity. Often great landscape photography follows the concept of less is more, by removing clutter and minimising the wealth of information within a landscape photograph it leads to bolder compositions and a clean outcome. I include a person as a subject matter in a lot of my adventure themed images as it shows scale, relatability and the relationship between man and nature.

Yulia Denisyuk,  Kazakhstan + USA

Website – yulia-denisyuk.com

Instagram – @insearchofperfect

#1 Describe your work/career aspirations:  I strongly believe in the power of travel to make us better human beings. Through exposure to other cultures, ways of life, and modes of thinking, we become more tolerant and gain a new understanding about ourselves and our relationship with the world. My aspiration is to produce work that inspires others to travel and to get to know people from backgrounds different than their own.

#2 What is your dream travel itinerary?  I have recently returned from a trip to South-East Asia, a region that has a wonderful mix of natural and cultural beauty. My dream travel itinerary would combine these elements:

Iceland – to capture the light in the Land of Fire and Ice

Finland – to document daily lives of the indigenous Sami people

Mongolia – to follow the winds across the Gobi Desert

Namibia – to trace the peaks of the Sossusvlei dunes

Chile – to explore the art and music of the Mapuche culture

#3 Share a piece of advice for how people can improve their photographs?

  • Start with the story you would like to tell through your image. As a photographer, you have the power to impact the viewer through your visual art. It is easy to capture something; it is more difficult to tell a story. Think about what emotion or feeling you would like to leave the audience with. This is your foundation.
  • Think about the light. In my view, this is a single most important element of a photograph that can help you tell your story in a powerful way.
  • Use the other elements of photography (composition, technique, editing style) to reinforce your foundation – the story you’d like to tell.

Jacob Sjoman, Sweden

Website –  sjomanart.com

Instagram – @sjomanart

#1 Describe your work/career aspirations:  I really believe you should always try shooting for the stars and living your dream. To me, this is sharing beautiful and inspirational locations. Whether it’s in Iceland or in the Caribbean I’m always up for the challenge travelling to new places and find new adventures. My plan for the future is to visit more inspiring locations and encourage more people to travel.

#2 What is your dream travel itinerary?  I would love to start out shooting photos first in New Zealand, later moving on for South Africa and then end up to Canada. If I had to choose one, it would definitely be New Zealand. For the countries I’ve visited so far, I would say Norway and Iceland have the best looking nature – but it’s always a matter of taste.

#3 Share a piece of advice for how people can improve their photographs?  Be different and always challenge yourself. Find your own spot and add your own flavour.

Max Coquard, France

Website –  bestjobersblog.com

Instagram – @maxcoquard

#1 Describe your work/career aspirations:  Started photography in the fashion industry in Paris, I radically changed life and style as I tagged along on Elisa’s unique journey in Australia, as part of the Best Jobs in the World. From studio shootings with artificial lights and models, I found myself a bit disorientated in the middle of the great Australian outdoors. But it was the revelation, photographing the beauty of nature & wildlife is what I love the most nowadays. My work is mainly shown online on our travel blog and social media posts. Since we came back from Australia (2015), my first aim was to be able to live from my photography skills. Second step will to be published and recognised in the travel & tourism industry.

#2 What is your dream travel itinerary?  I absolutely love taking photos of animals, Canada and its big mammals should be a perfect fit. Africa has been on the list for a while for the same reason but still no plan of getting there. India is also on my mind. I dream about capturing the characters and colors of this giant country. Everything must be so different to what I’m used to.

#3 Share a piece of advice for how people can improve their photographs?  Never take something for granted, your photography skills can always be improved. Learn from others, test, experience. Personally, I try to always look with a fresh eye, as if I would discover a place for the very first time (even my house, my country side) because the light is always different and so is the shot.

Jonathan Sander, Australia

Website – driftandwander.com.au

Instagram – @iamjonathan

#1 Describe your work/career aspirations:  By day I work at a not-for-profit as a designer. After hours and on the weekend I run my own freelance design business, run my blog, and explore whatever natural or urban wilderness I can find. I always try and live creatively and because of photography, I now see everyday life in angles, lines of perspective and different shades of light. I’m not sure where photography will take me, ideally I’d love to be getting paid for the types of photos that I love to shoot and though that seems like a pretty tough goal, I think almost anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

#2 What is your dream travel itinerary?  My dream travel itinerary (right now anyway, this changes a lot!) is pretty simple. 2 months, 2 different landscapes. I’d start with a month in Hawaii for the summer, photographing volcanoes, surf and hidden valleys. Then I’ll jump on a plane and head down to Patagonia for a month of chasing glaciers, trekking and snowboarding.

#3 Share a piece of advice for how people can improve their photographs?  Great photography is all about developing your own vision. To improve your photos, forget about the gear and forget about the editing, just for a minute. Go to an amazing location wait for amazing light and visualise exactly what you want the shot too look like in your head alone. Then work back from there. I found this to be one of the toughest things when starting out. Getting what I saw in my head into the camera and then onto the computer. The gap between what I wanted and what I shot was huge. Then, little by little, I began to deconstruct and work out what skills I needed and the gap got smaller.

Scott Pass, Australia

Website –  scottypass.com

Instagram – @scottypass

#1 Describe your photo/career aspirations:  At the moment, I’m all about creating content that flows, is coherent and provides an underlying theme between my brand and what I stand for: A synonymous link between my travels, my images and video content. I’m looking to establish myself as top travel writer and travel photographer with plans to work as a freelancer in both writing and photography/videography.

#2 What is your dream travel itinerary?  My dream travel itinerary would include adventuring through the mountains of New Zealand, revisiting the North Western corner of North America (Oregon and its National Parks) and of course, a stop over in a tropical island destination – The Marshall Islands have always fascinated me for their complete seclusion and untouched beauty. I love shooting split underwater images so the Marshall Islands would be a perfect canvas – scottypass wouldn’t be scottypass if it didn’t include that tropical vibe.

#3 Share a piece of advice for how people can improve their photographs?  Photography is so versatile and definitely isn’t limited to one particular style. Make your images your own and enjoy creating the way you wish to. I would suggest travelling with a friend and adventuring together to pursue new ideas and creative options in photography. This option always allows you to explore new regions and makes travel affordable and more exciting. Travelling with a friend also gives you an extra subject to photograph. You never know, your friend may know of some incredible travel locations that you didn’t, making the adventure all the more worth it. In summary, don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone – that’s where you’ll find your inner creative and be pushed to develop new techniques – you might just surprise yourself with the images you create.

Thanks to all of the talented photographers above who shared a little insight to their career! Like I mentioned earlier, this list could have easily included 100 photographers so if you’ve got a great portfolio of travel images, be sure to share a link in the comments below! Go on…don’t be shy!

Don’t forget if you want to share your travel photos on Instagram just use the hashtag #thewanderinglens

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Hello! I’m the founder and photographer behind The Wandering Lens. With 17+yrs experience as a professional travel and landscape photographer, all advice found on this site is from my personal experience on the road. I hope it’s useful for your own travels and would love to hear in the comments about your trips and experiences around the world.

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Glacier Lodge Eqi – Up Close with Greenland’s Calving Wonder

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April 20, 2016 at 1:31 pm

I love finding new photography accounts to follow, thanks for sharing!

thewanderinglens

April 20, 2016 at 8:44 pm

Great to hear Caitlyn!

April 21, 2016 at 9:58 am

The underwater shot is a beauty!

MAXIME COQUARD

May 1, 2016 at 4:18 pm

What a cool selection, many of them, I didn’t know so thank you for including me in your list and for the inspiration Lisa! See you soon in France or out in the GBR! (That would be awesome!) Cheers

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AFAR Photo Awards 2019

We asked to see the world through your lens—and you showed us. here are the winners and jurors’ picks of the 2019 afar photo awards presented by united mileageplus..

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Photo by Roger Lemoyne

Grand Prize Winner

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“Fixing Nets” by Diep Van

In Phan Rang, Vietnam, women wearing traditional bamboo hats use old-fashioned sewing machines to repair fishing nets.

Style & Design

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“Colors of Inle Lotus Fabric” by Zay Yar

Inle Lake is one of the only places in Myanmar to watch weavers make cloth from cotton fibers. Natural dyes color the handcrafted fabrics, which then dry on the lake in the sun.

The style & design category is presented by illy.

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Shell Royster

“Irish Mussels” by Shell Royster

Photographer Shell Royster participated in a mussel expedition at family-run Killary Fjord Shellfish in County Galway, while on a trip through western Ireland. The dish showcases the harvest.

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Christian Vizl

“Diver and Jacks at Cabo Pulmo” by Christian Vizl

A diver provides scale as he swims below a school of jack fish in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez.

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“Aibubu” by Ella Mack

Aibubu, a Kyrgyz girl, sits for a portrait at the 2018 World Nomad Games; there, participants compete in such traditional Central Asian sports as horseback, archery, and falcon-hunting. Photographer Ella Mack met Aibubu in the Kyrchyn Valley, where cultural festivities take place during the Games.

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Katherine Ozanich

“Brihadisvara Temple at Sunrise” by Katherine Ozanich

Early morning worshipers visit the Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India, in February 2019. The temple, one of three Chola dynasty temples designated World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, was built in the 11th century and is dedicated to the Lord Shiva.

Jurors’ Picks

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“Rise of the Mongolians” by Catherine Hyland

For young boys in Mongolia, sumo wrestling can be a path to fame and wealth. Here, trainees from the Kyokushu Beya sports center practice in Gorkhi-Terilj National Park.

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Mun Khean Wong

“Good Day!” by Mun Khean Wong

Day breaks after a night of snow in the Norwegian fishing village of Hamnøy.

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Eugene Reshetov

“Thirst” by Eugene Reshetov

While on a trek of the Annapurna circuit, the photographer spotted a schoolgirl in the Nepalese village of Tukuche closing her eyes with relief after quenching her thirst in the village square.

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Alain Schroeder

“Grandma Divers 3” by Alain Schroeder

Soon-ja Hong, 69, holds an octopus she caught. Hong is one of the remaining Haenyeo, a traditional group of female free divers in the South Korean province of Jeju.

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Javier Arcenillas

“Ama” by Javier Arcenillas

Man meets butterfly at the butterfly garden in the Padre Cocha village on the Nanay River, a tributary of the Peruvian Amazon.

Honorable mentions

We received some 3,000 travel photos in the 2019 AFAR Photo Awards contest and were blown away by the quality of the images. Winners were chosen in five categories, along with a grand prize winner, and there were five jury selections. But many other submissions were just as riveting and transcendent. Here’s a selection.

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“Sakura Season at Hirosaki Castle,” by Suwandi Chandra

Springtime in Japan brings the annual burst of color from the country’s famous cherry blossoms—it also brings out crowds of people. Chandra decided to get away from the bustling cities of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka to witness the magic in the castle city of Hirosaki, on the northern end of Honshu Island.

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“Potash,” by Brendan Tremblay

The electric blue of this potash evaporation pond, outside Moab, Utah, provides a jarring contrast to the red desert around it. The brightly colored water comes from a dye, added to help absorb sunlight and speed evaporation of the potassium chloride.

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“Inbound,” by Mat Rik

Looking down on the buildings of New York is about as inspiring as it gets. A window seat is usually key to having a great view, but sometimes—even from the aisle—it’s impossible to miss the staccato beats of Gotham’s iconic skyline.

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“Hiking in Arches National Park,” by Ben Horton

Utah’s park offers mile upon mile of gorgeous red sandstone, which becomes especially ethereal with the glinting light at daybreak and sunset. Here, Kelly Potts, a professional surfer and philanthropist from Maui, climbs up into one of the storied arches.

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“Working Hard,” by Juan Contreras

A view of the cockpit as pilots go through their extensive pre-flight checks isn’t something most travelers are lucky enough to witness. But sometimes the stars align, as they did for Contreras at San Francisco International Airport.

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“Finding Your Space,” by Kamella Boullé

Reaching many of the cays in the Exuma archipelago of the Bahamas requires taking a boat or seaplane. After having explored by water, Boullé took to an amphibious plane to capture this spectacle near Pipe Cay.

Interviews from a few of the winners

When documentary photographer Stephanie Gengotti decides upon a story she wants to capture through her lens, she sets about immersing herself completely into her subjects’ world. Often this process involves spending weeks getting to know the most intimate details of their lives.

“I have to live with the people to understand them and discover what others usually can’t see. I need to become part of their reality,” Gengotti says.

One of Gengotti’s images from her series “Circus Love,” for which she received first prize in AFAR’s Travel Photography Awards competition, sponsored by United Airlines.

One of Gengotti’s images from her series “Circus Love,” for which she received first prize in AFAR’s Travel Photography Awards competition, sponsored by United Airlines.

Her recent series, “Circus Love,” documents a small, nontraditional circus troupe as they perform throughout Italy. The images recently won first prize for the “series” category of the first-ever AFAR Travel Photography Awards, sponsored by United Airlines.

Paul Ratje, whose image won the “single shot” category, also takes a culturally immersive approach to his craft. A photojournalist by trade, he focuses primarily on street scenery, exploring themes of intimacy and community in a unique light. Ratje has traveled around the world in search of compelling stories; he lived in Taiwan for six years and has spent time exploring China, the Philippines, and other corners of Southeast Asia. Since moving back home to New Mexico several years ago, he has produced visual stories featuring both sides of the U.S./Mexico border.

Ratje’s image, shot in Las Cruces, New Mexico, won first prize for the “single shot” category of AFAR’s Travel Photography Awards. The competition was sponsored by United Airlines, who awarded the winners a pair of United Polaris business class tickets.

Ratje’s image, shot in Las Cruces, New Mexico, won first prize for the “single shot” category of AFAR’s Travel Photography Awards. The competition was sponsored by United Airlines, who awarded the winners a pair of United Polaris business class tickets.

“I’m really into candid street photography,” he says. “[With this photograph], I saw something in the image that really inspired me … The photo shows an important side of Mexico to me, and that’s the food, the street food.”

Next, Ratje has plans to fly to China and revisit the Tibetan Plateau, where he has been working on a challenging series since 2015. The project documents Tibetans whose lives are changing as they modernize and adopt elements of Chinese culture.

“Being selected for the winning image means a lot to me as a photographer and for continuing my personal work,” Ratje says.

Ker & Downey, 1

Love Exploring

Love Exploring

These Black-and-White Travel Photos Capture The World's Moody Beauty

Posted: March 6, 2023 | Last updated: June 20, 2023

There’s no denying the timeless magic of a monochrome photograph. Providing a more surreal and artistic type of image – forcing us to pause and question what we’re looking at – the style allows us to see the world in a new light. Here, we’ve compiled the winning entries and special mentions from this year’s Black and White Photo Awards, which range from flora and fauna to landscape and architecture. Read on to see the breathtaking shots and learn the stories behind them.

Awe-inspiring photography

<p>A geometric, angular tunnel becomes a striking frame for two distant figures in this beautiful – and fittingly named – photograph. It won Hector Ballester Ballester the top prize in the architecture category. </p>

Architecture category: Winner: A light at the end of the tunnel by Hector Ballester Ballester

A geometric, angular tunnel becomes a striking frame for two distant figures in this beautiful – and fittingly named – photograph. It won Hector Ballester Ballester the top prize in the architecture category. 

<p>Proving that great architecture should engage the viewer from all angles, this worm’s-eye-view photo showcases a wave-like structure in the foreground beneath a looming skyscraper in the background. Captured by Antonio Figueras Barranco, it was awarded a golden mention in the architecture category.</p>

Golden mention: Waves by Antonio Figueras Barranco

Proving that great architecture should engage the viewer from all angles, this worm’s-eye-view photo showcases a wave-like structure in the foreground beneath a looming skyscraper in the background. Captured by Antonio Figueras Barranco, it was awarded a golden mention in the architecture category.

<p>Looking almost as though it belongs on another planet, this highly exposed image amplifies the already-surreal quality of this dome-shaped structure. It won Juan Jesús González Romero a silver mention in the architecture category.</p>

Silver mention: La cúpula by Juan Jesús González Romero

Looking almost as though it belongs on another planet, this highly exposed image amplifies the already-surreal quality of this dome-shaped structure. It won Juan Jesús González Romero a silver mention in the architecture category.

<p>Moving from light and airy to dark and moody, this dramatic shot makes use of contrast and shadow to showcase the intricate beauty of this building. The bronze-winning composition was created by Zhenwei Wang.</p>  <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/"><strong>Love this? Follow us on Facebook for incredible photography, travel inspiration and more</strong></a></p>

Bronze mention: The last emperor by Zhenwei Wang

Moving from light and airy to dark and moody, this dramatic shot makes use of contrast and shadow to showcase the intricate beauty of this building. The bronze-winning composition was created by Zhenwei Wang.

Love this? Follow us on Facebook for incredible photography, travel inspiration and more

<p>A corkscrew staircase looks awe-inspiring in this shot by Lars Oliver Michaelis, which earned him a bronze mention in the architecture category. The photographer brings out the structure's intricate details and mesmerizing patterns with high contrast and clever angling.</p>

Bronze mention: Stairways from heaven by Lars Oliver Michaelis

A corkscrew staircase looks awe-inspiring in this shot by Lars Oliver Michaelis, which earned him a bronze mention in the architecture category. The photographer brings out the structure's intricate details and mesmerizing patterns with high contrast and clever angling.

<p>A sea of worshippers poised in front of prayer mats celebrating the Muslim festival of Eid is the captivating subject of this bird’s-eye photograph by Saurabh Sirohiya. The contrasting clothes form ripples through the crowd, and the image took home top prize in the street photography category. </p>

Street category: Winner: Patterns of Eid by Saurabh Sirohiya

A sea of worshippers poised in front of prayer mats celebrating the Muslim festival of Eid is the captivating subject of this bird’s-eye photograph by Saurabh Sirohiya. The contrasting clothes form ripples through the crowd, and the image took home top prize in the street photography category. 

<p>It takes a moment to figure out what’s going on in this photograph, which looks almost completely blank at first glance. Then your eye is drawn to the bottom of the scene, where a lone, seated figure appears to be staring at the ground. The composition was created by Jason Au and won him a golden mention in the street category.</p>

Golden mention: Obsession by Jason Au

It takes a moment to figure out what’s going on in this photograph, which looks almost completely blank at first glance. Then your eye is drawn to the bottom of the scene, where a lone, seated figure appears to be staring at the ground. The composition was created by Jason Au and won him a golden mention in the street category.

<p>A pitmaster whose face is covered by a buffalo skull – surely a darkly comic reference to the meat on the grill – is the focal point of this captivating photograph, which won Walter Sinigoi a silver mention in the street category.</p>

Silver mention: Untitled by Walter Sinigoi

A pitmaster whose face is covered by a buffalo skull – surely a darkly comic reference to the meat on the grill – is the focal point of this captivating photograph, which won Walter Sinigoi a silver mention in the street category.

<p>We love the ingenious design of this seemingly candid image, which shows four figures strolling down the street framed by a giant arrow pointing the opposite direction. It scooped Michael Duckworth a silver mention in the street category.</p>

Silver mention: Ramble and roam by Michael Duckworth

We love the ingenious design of this seemingly candid image, which shows four figures strolling down the street framed by a giant arrow pointing the opposite direction. It scooped Michael Duckworth a silver mention in the street category.

<p>The eye is immediately drawn to the street performer in this photo – a man hanging off a lamp post while seemingly kicking a football – before moving down to spot his smartphone-wielding fans. The image, which was captured by Hervé Boutrouille, took home a bronze mention in the street category.</p>

Bronze mention: The artist and his fans by Hervé Boutrouille

The eye is immediately drawn to the street performer in this photo – a man hanging off a lamp post while seemingly kicking a football – before moving down to spot his smartphone-wielding fans. The image, which was captured by Hervé Boutrouille, took home a bronze mention in the street category.

<p>Demonstrating just how vibrant black and white images can be, this artistic shot depicts a woman’s body covered in white linear patterns set against a contrasting but equally monochrome background. It was created by Kazutoshi Kawakami and won the portrait category. </p>

Portrait category: Winner: Pattern by Kazutoshi Kawakami

Demonstrating just how vibrant black and white images can be, this artistic shot depicts a woman’s body covered in white linear patterns set against a contrasting but equally monochrome background. It was created by Kazutoshi Kawakami and won the portrait category. 

<p>High-contrast monochrome photography shows this man’s face in incredible detail – the chips in his fingernails, the wrinkles on his hands and face, and his piercing one-eyed gaze. The thought-provoking shot, captured by Corine Bakker, received a golden mention in the portrait category.</p>

Golden mention: Ode by Corine Bakker

High-contrast monochrome photography shows this man’s face in incredible detail – the chips in his fingernails, the wrinkles on his hands and face, and his piercing one-eyed gaze. The thought-provoking shot, captured by Corine Bakker, received a golden mention in the portrait category.

<p>Thanks to dramatic lighting and editing, these undersea creatures look almost like aliens travelling through space. But they’re actually mobulas, a species of ray that's closely related to sharks and sometimes known as the devil ray. Here, fauna and flora category winner Enric Adrian Gener captures them gliding beneath the surface of the Mediterranean Sea.</p>

Fauna and flora category: Winner: Mobulas in the Mediterranean Sea by Enric Adrian Gener

Thanks to dramatic lighting and editing, these undersea creatures look almost like aliens travelling through space. But they’re actually mobulas, a species of ray that's closely related to sharks and sometimes known as the devil ray. Here, fauna and flora category winner Enric Adrian Gener captures them gliding beneath the surface of the Mediterranean Sea.

<p>A magnificent herd of giraffes – posing so symmetrically it looks almost deliberate – is the focus of this compelling composition. Photographer Ricardo Tormo Massignani was awarded a golden mention in the fauna and flora category.</p>  <p><strong><a href="https://www.loveexploring.com/gallerylist/148435/winning-images-from-the-nature-ttl-photographer-of-the-year-2022-competition">See the winning images from the Nature TTL Photographer of the Year 2022 competition</a></strong></p>

Golden mention: Posado de girafas by Ricardo Tormo Massignani

A magnificent herd of giraffes – posing so symmetrically it looks almost deliberate – is the focus of this compelling composition. Photographer Ricardo Tormo Massignani was awarded a golden mention in the fauna and flora category.

See the winning images from the Nature TTL Photographer of the Year

<p>According to photographer Pavlos Evangelidis, who earned a fauna and flora category silver mention for this shot, the species depicted is a gorgonian fan coral which was snapped underwater near the Solomon Islands. The intricate black silhouette certainly looks striking against the white background.</p>

Silver mention: Fan club by Pavlos Evangelidis

According to photographer Pavlos Evangelidis, who earned a fauna and flora category silver mention for this shot, the species depicted is a gorgonian fan coral which was snapped underwater near the Solomon Islands. The intricate black silhouette certainly looks striking against the white background.

<p>Horses are often seen as majestic, noble and free, which is exactly what comes across in this arresting image. Showing an elegant-looking steed spotlighted by sunshine, the photograph won Alessandro Accordini a silver mention in the fauna and flora category. </p>

Silver mention: Backlight horse by Alessandro Accordini

Horses are often seen as majestic, noble and free, which is exactly what comes across in this arresting image. Showing an elegant-looking steed spotlighted by sunshine, the photograph won Alessandro Accordini a silver mention in the fauna and flora category. 

<p>As anyone who’s been dolphin-watching can attest, these quick-moving creatures are extremely difficult to photograph. That makes this striking shot, which won a bronze mention for Enric Adrian Gener in the fauna and flora category, all the more impressive. </p>

Bronze mention: Bottlenose dolphins surface reflections by Enric Adrian Gener

As anyone who’s been dolphin-watching can attest, these quick-moving creatures are extremely difficult to photograph. That makes this striking shot, which won a bronze mention for Enric Adrian Gener in the fauna and flora category, all the more impressive. 

<p>Looking more like a scene from another planet than simple sand dunes, this beautiful photograph was the work of Vasilis Livanos and came out on top in the landscape category.</p>

Landscape category: Winner: Sea of sand by Vasilis Livanos

Looking more like a scene from another planet than simple sand dunes, this beautiful photograph was the work of Vasilis Livanos and came out on top in the landscape category.

<p>The Dolomites mountain range in northeast Italy takes on a different kind of drama as the backdrop of this gorgeous shot by Ales Krivec, which earned a golden mention in the landscape category. With long shadows and dark clouds adding to the moody atmosphere, the two lone cabins in the foreground look especially isolated. </p>

Golden mention: The Dolomites Seiser Alm by Ales Krivec

The Dolomites mountain range in northeast Italy takes on a different kind of drama as the backdrop of this gorgeous shot by Ales Krivec, which earned a golden mention in the landscape category. With long shadows and dark clouds adding to the moody atmosphere, the two lone cabins in the foreground look especially isolated. 

<p>Monochrome photography perfectly illuminates the network of streams in this image, splaying a spider's-web of water across the frame. It was taken by Juan Lopez Ruiz, who claimed a silver mention in the landscape category. </p>  <p><a href="https://www.loveexploring.com/galleries/151324/mesmerising-images-from-the-drone-photo-awards-2022?page=1"><strong>Discover the awe-inspiring images from the Drone Photo Awards 2022</strong></a></p>

Silver mention: The land of water by Juan Lopez Ruiz

Monochrome photography perfectly illuminates the network of streams in this image, splaying a spider's-web of water across the frame. It was taken by Juan Lopez Ruiz, who claimed a silver mention in the landscape category. 

Discover the awe-inspiring images from the Drone Photo Awards 2022

<p>There’s something incredibly mystical about the way the fine mist rises off the sand dunes in this photograph. Captured by Xu Dong, it notched a bronze mention in the landscape category. </p>

Bronze mention: Country road take me home by Xu Dong

There’s something incredibly mystical about the way the fine mist rises off the sand dunes in this photograph. Captured by Xu Dong, it notched a bronze mention in the landscape category. 

<p>The Peak District’s Great Ridge – a popular walking route between Castleton and Mam Tor – is the subject of this windswept composition, which bagged Andy Gray a bronze mention in the landscape category.</p>

Bronze mention: The famous Great Ridge walkway by Andy Gray

The Peak District’s Great Ridge – a popular walking route between Castleton and Mam Tor – is the subject of this windswept composition, which bagged Andy Gray a bronze mention in the landscape category.

<p>This ethereal shot captures three dancers at a moment of dynamic movement, rendering them as mesmerizing blurs against a dark background. Photographer Dusty Cooper, who won the special prize for creativity for the image, said: "My photography and love for dance collide and I think my passion for both shows in my work."</p>

Special prize for creativity: Levitate by Dusty Cooper

This ethereal shot captures three dancers at a moment of dynamic movement, rendering them as mesmerizing blurs against a dark background. Photographer Dusty Cooper, who won the special prize for creativity for the image, said: "My photography and love for dance collide and I think my passion for both shows in my work."

<p>Camera supply company Haida collaborated with the judges to select a winner for this special category, opting for a startling shot by George Digalakis. Titled 'Echoing spaces', the work shows a cluster of grass emerging from a hazy, barely perceptible body of water, the reflection fragmented by the ripples.</p>

Haida special award: Echoing spaces by George Digalakis

Camera supply company Haida collaborated with the judges to select a winner for this special category, opting for a startling shot by George Digalakis. Titled 'Echoing spaces', the work shows a cluster of grass emerging from a hazy, barely perceptible body of water, the reflection fragmented by the ripples.

<p>This cheetah’s spots become more defined in black and white, while her cubs blur beguilingly into the thick grasses below, creating a powerful image of a mother standing guard over her young. It was taken by Belgian photographer Johan Willems, who took home the competition's grand prize.</p>  <p><a href="https://www.loveexploring.com/galleries/118179/winning-images-from-the-comedy-wildlife-awards-2021?page=1"><strong>Now check out these brilliant photos from the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards</strong></a></p>

Overall winner: Cheetah with cubs by Johan Willems

This cheetah’s spots become more defined in black and white, while her cubs blur beguilingly into the thick grasses below, creating a powerful image of a mother standing guard over her young. It was taken by Belgian photographer Johan Willems, who took home the competition's grand prize.

Now check out these brilliant photos from the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

20 Inspiring Travel & Nature Winning Photos From The Fine Art Photography Awards

Nature And Travel Photography Winners

Here are the 20 inspiring winning photographs from the Professional Travel and Nature category at the Fine Art Photography Awards 2023. The Fine Art Photography Awards stands as one of the premier accolade bestowers within the artist community, spearheading a new wave of trends in the realm of photography. Established in 2014, this competition serves as a nexus where passion, curiosity, a keen sense of beauty, and an embrace of diversity in photography converge in cosmic proportions.

You can submit your entries for 2024 Fine Art Photography Awards, the deadline is February 11th, 2024.

Scroll down and inspire yourself. You can check their website for more information.

You can find more info about Fine Art Photography Awards:

Travel winners:, #1. 1st place winner: in the fishing maze by hilda champion.

Nature And Travel Photography Winners

#2. 2nd Place Winner: Mundari Cattle Camp by Svetlin Yosifov

Nature And Travel Photography Winners

#3. 3rd Place Winner: Greenland by Giovanna Arnaud Fleming

Nature And Travel Photography Winners

#4. Nominee: Glacier Express by Paweł Jagiełło

Nature And Travel Photography Winners

#5. Nominee: Horse Galloping At Sunset by Shirley Wung

Nature And Travel Photography Winners

#6. Nominee: Instant of Nomadic Life by Max Lévine

Nature And Travel Photography Winners

#7. Nominee: Full Moon Over The Temple of Poseidon by Stavros Habakis

Nature And Travel Photography Winners

#8. Matera by Elena Pardini

Nature And Travel Photography Winners

#9. Tessa by Waldemar Trebacki

Nature And Travel Photography Winners

Nature Winners:

#10. 1st place winner: flowers from my garden by matthias langer.

Nature And Travel Photography Winners

#11. 2nd Place Winner: Footprints by Andrea Kornfeld

Nature And Travel Photography Winners

#12. Nominee: The Fall by Jerome Obiols

Nature And Travel Photography Winners

#13. Nominee: Wings of Vitality by Fenqiang (Frank) Liu

Nature And Travel Photography Winners

#14. Nominee: The Tree Of Life by Cheyne Walls

Nature And Travel Photography Winners

#15. Nominee: Gozo by Hector Boix

Nature And Travel Photography Winners

#16. Nominee: The Last Light Before the Storm by Rocco Bonfanti

Nature And Travel Photography Winners

#17. Nominee: Cathedral Trees by Richard Mack

Nature And Travel Photography Winners

#18. Nominee: Rose by Kristina Zvinakeviciute

Nature And Travel Photography Winners

#19. Nominee: Waterfall by Taida Tarabula

Nature And Travel Photography Winners

#20. Nominee: Celestial Eruption by Jerome Obiols

Nature And Travel Photography Winners

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