During a trip to Guilin, Kelvin Yuen set out to photograph the region's famous karst formations, but a thunderstorm intervened. Flying a drone to capture the storm from a safe distance, they took over 700 photos, with this one standing out for its dramatic lightning flash that highlights the mountains' layered beauty.
Image location: China
2024 Open Photographer of the Year
Aerial Winner
First Place in the Open Nature/Landscape category
2. "The Green Dance" By Diego Manrique Diez, Spain
After seven nights of waiting, photographer Manrique Diez finally captured the breathtaking panorama they had been dreaming of in Northern Norway. A majestic aurora danced across the sky, perfectly reflected in the snow-covered foreground, creating a mesmerizing scene.
Image location: Senja, Norway
First place in the Amateur Landscape/Nature category
Amateur Photographer of the Year
3. "Wilderness” By Kelvin Yuen, Hong Kong
The photographer spent a month in Patagonia, braving below -20°C temperatures and a snowstorm to capture a snowy mountain view. After a 10-hour trek and two nights on a cliff edge, they stitched together 44 shots to create this stunning panorama.
Image location: Fitz Roy
2024 Open Photographer of the Year
Third Place in the Open Nature/Landscape category
4. "The Wave" By Elliot Mcgucken, USA
A wave crashes against the rugged shores of Kauai, Hawaii, in this breathtaking panorama. A mesmerizing moment frozen in time, it’s a true testament to Kauai’s coastal magic.
Image location: Kauai, Hawaii
Highest Scoring IAPP Member
5. "Storm Dump" By Tom Putt, Australia
During a helicopter safari in the Kimberley, the photographer faced an unexpected storm. Instructing the pilot to move south, they captured this stunning panorama with the dramatic King River in the foreground before the rain hit.
Image location: Wyndham, Western Australia
2024 Curator's Award
6. "Uprooted" By Nickolas Warner, USA
A late-season monsoon storm had all but dashed Nickolas Warner's hopes of capturing a photo, shrouding the valley in rain and darkness. Yet, in a fleeting moment of magic, the clouds lifted at sunset, bathing the landscape in golden light and revealing a stunning rainbow, which he quickly framed with a twisted juniper tree before the scene vanished once more.
Image location: Moab, Utah
2024 Raw Planet Award
7. "Blossom" By Ethan Su, Taiwan
This incredible panoramic shot from Taiwan's Hehuan Mountain Dark Sky Park captures a vibrant field of flowers set against the dramatic mountain backdrop. The delicate blooms contrast beautifully with the rugged landscape, offering a serene yet powerful portrayal of nature’s resilience and beauty in this stunning high-altitude setting.
Image location: Hehuan Mountain Dark Sky Park, Taiwan
Highest Scoring Gigapixel Image
8. “At The Edge Of Despair” By Michael Stringer
Based in South East Victoria, the photographer enjoys access to diverse landscapes, with a focus on long exposure photography. This breathtaking shot shows Camel Rock’s prehistoric shape, framed by dramatic skies and turbulent waves, creating a mystical, almost otherworldly feel.
Image location: Bermagui, NSW
2024 Nikon Australia Award
9. "Green Storm" By Diego Manrique Diez, Spain
This stunning panorama of Northern Norway's mountains and wild beaches was captured after hours of waiting in freezing conditions. Just as hope faded, the sky cleared, revealing a majestic aurora borealis. The final image consists of 27 photos stitched to showcase the breathtaking scene.
Image location: Senja, Norway
Amateur Photographer of the Year
10. "Timeless Story" By Matteo Strassera, Italy
Under a breathtaking Milky Way, a lone figure with a light stands amidst the rippling sand dunes of Rub' al-Khali, UAE. The desert landscape is illuminated by the soft glow of the night sky, creating a serene and otherworldly atmosphere.
11. "The Volcanoes Theatre" By Fikri Muharom, Indonesia
Bromo National Park, known for its stunning sunrises, is a must-visit for photographers in Indonesia. After a night of rain in Surabaya, the photographer rushed to Bromo, where a sea of clouds filled the caldera. Launching a drone from Pananjakan Hill, they captured a 180-degree panorama showcasing Bromo’s beauty at its finest.
Image location: Bromo National Park
2024 Southeast Asia Open Photographer of the Year
12. "The Star" By Markus Van Hauten, Germany
Sunbeams pierce through the entrance of an ice cave in Iceland, illuminating the rocky floor within. The cave's swirling blue and orange ice walls create a mesmerizing contrast with the bright sun and a lone figure stands at the edge, silhouetted against the horizon.
Image location: Iceland
Second place in the Amateur Landscape/Nature category
13. "Slaapstad" By Jay Caboz, South Africa
Lion's Head in Cape Town, South Africa, is seen at dusk with low-lying clouds obscuring the city lights below.
Image location: Cape Town, South Africa
Second Place in the Open Built Environment category
14. “Chrysanthemum Season” By Tuan Nguyen Tan, Vietnam
Fascinated by Vietnam’s landscapes and craft villages, Tuan Nguyen Tan is particularly drawn to the chrysanthemum fields of Sadec, Dong Thap. Farmers cleverly use high trellises to protect the flowers from the Mekong River’s floods and harvest them by boat. Each year, the photographer captures this unique process, highlighting the stunning golden blooms during the harvest season.
Image location: Dong Thap, Vietnam
First Place in the Open Built Environment category
2024 Epson Digital Art Prize
Open Overall Runner-up
15. "Climbing" By Alessandro Cantarelli, Italy
A panoramic view of the Fitz Roy area in Patagonia. A climber stands atop a rugged peak, overlooking a vast expanse of snow-capped mountains and a glacier.
Image location: 360° pano stitch of 12 shots Patagonia, Fitz Roy area
Second Place in the Open Nature/Landscape category
