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Just in case you ever needed a reminder that our planet is a stunningly beautiful place, the fifth annual Landscape Photographer of the Year competition winners have been announced, and they don't disappoint.

Selected from a field of nearly 3000 beautiful pictures taken by 863 photographers, the judges had the difficult task of narrowing them down to eventual winners. The overall photographer of the year, based on a folio submission of at least four nature images, was Adam Gibbs, from Canada.

But what makes great landscape photography? Is it persistence? Experience? Luck? Passion?

“Looking at Adam Gibbs’ winning nature photography portfolio, we can see a diversity of views, an understanding of light and the expert use of framing and composition,” the judges explained. “From sandy aerials to icy mountain locations, Adam’s portfolio demonstrates a range of topics, an essential component when it comes to convincing our judges that you are the International Landscape Photographer of the Year.”

Adam's skill was perfectly complimented by the rich beauty of his native country, in particular, his local area of Vancouver Island. “It is an exceptional place,” he said. “The natural landscape is rugged, but not in your face and extremely challenging, especially the forests. I love it. However, other than the popular Canadian Rockies, the rest of British Columbia and Canada itself is highly underrated, in my opinion, as prime photo destinations for those seeking raw wilderness experiences.”

Winner of the prize for Landscape Photograph Of The Year, based on a single image, is Paul Marcellini, from the USA. Specializing in the beautiful nature views of Florida, Paul's artistic shot of tree trunks creating an optical illusion in a swamp was simply stunning in its composition. “I seem to love every place I spend some time in, but it is the swamps of Florida that will always be my favorite habitat to explore,” Paul said. “I enjoy the challenge of trying to organize the chaos. It is also a pretty strong bet that I will be the only one out there and the solitude is great!”

Scroll down below to check out other selected wonders from the photo contest, and bask in the magnificence of Mother Nature. Do you agree with the winning choices? Which ones are your favorites? Let us know in the comments!

More info: Website

#2

Landscape Photographer: Winner, Botanical Bay, Port Renfrew, Vancouver Island, Brittish Columbia, Canada, Adam Gibbs

Landscape Photographer: Winner, Botanical Bay, Port Renfrew, Vancouver Island, Brittish Columbia, Canada, Adam Gibbs

internationallandscapephotographer Report

#3

South East Coast Of Australia, Warren Keelan

South East Coast Of Australia, Warren Keelan

internationallandscapephotographer Report

#4

Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, Indonesia, Weimin Chu

Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, Indonesia, Weimin Chu

internationallandscapephotographer Report

#5

Between Waynoka And Enid, Oklahoma, Usa, John Finney

Between Waynoka And Enid, Oklahoma, Usa, John Finney

internationallandscapephotographer Report

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Kioh81
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Welcome to our wonderful Tornado Alley! We have 6 seasons here in Oklahoma! Spring, Tornado, Summer, Tornado, Autumn, and our usually poor confused Winter!! The weather can change up to 30-40 degrees within 12-24 hours, make dressing properly a challenging feat!! Lol The tornadoes are beautiful, fascinating, yet can be extremely devastating. You learn to live with it and also learn when they might be a serious concern. Half the time the sirens go off and everyone goes outside to watch. 😂 If you live out in rural areas however the tornadoes can be seriously scary and destructive.

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#6

Torres Del Paine National Park, Chile, Weimin Chu

Torres Del Paine National Park, Chile, Weimin Chu

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#8

Solbjørnvatnet, Lofoten, Norway, Daniel Laan

Solbjørnvatnet, Lofoten, Norway, Daniel Laan

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#9

2018 International Landscape Photograph Of The Year 2nd Place, Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, Usa, Miles Morgan

2018 International Landscape Photograph Of The Year 2nd Place, Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, Usa, Miles Morgan

internationallandscapephotographer Report

#10

2018 The Snow & Ice Award, Lapland, Finland, Ignacio Palacios

2018 The Snow & Ice Award, Lapland, Finland, Ignacio Palacios

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#11

Paria, Utah, Usa, Dylan Fox

Paria, Utah, Usa, Dylan Fox

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diane a
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5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Amazing when you think of all the millions of years geological history in those rock strata

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#12

White Mountains National Forest, New Hampshire, Usa, Matt Macpherson

White Mountains National Forest, New Hampshire, Usa, Matt Macpherson

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#14

Grosser Rachel, National Park Bayerischer Wald, Bavaria, Germany, Lukáš Veselý

Grosser Rachel, National Park Bayerischer Wald, Bavaria, Germany, Lukáš Veselý

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#15

Gobi Desert, Mongolia, Ignacio Palacios

Gobi Desert, Mongolia, Ignacio Palacios

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#18

2018 International Landscape Photograph Of The Year Winner, South Eastern Usa, Paul Marcellini

2018 International Landscape Photograph Of The Year Winner, South Eastern Usa, Paul Marcellini

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Withnail
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, this is an amazing shot. Doi, obviously, because it won. I will admit that it took me quite a while to figure out what I was looking at. Spider knees in hell, was my first thought, tbh.

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#19

Sződliget, Hungary, Gabor Dvornik

Sződliget, Hungary, Gabor Dvornik

internationallandscapephotographer Report

#20

2018 The Sunrise / Sunset Award, Monte Fitz Roy, Patagonia, Argentina, Xiao Zhu

2018 The Sunrise / Sunset Award, Monte Fitz Roy, Patagonia, Argentina, Xiao Zhu

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Rowlie
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is not a good post to read while stuck in the office for the next 4 hours and 30 years

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#21

San Antonio Pass, Cordillera Huayhuash, Peru, Matt Jackisch

San Antonio Pass, Cordillera Huayhuash, Peru, Matt Jackisch

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diane a
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Spectacular - must have been extremely difficult just to even get to that height.

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#22

2018 The Exemplary Tree Award, Oslo, Norway, Ann Kristin Lindaas

2018 The Exemplary Tree Award, Oslo, Norway, Ann Kristin Lindaas

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#23

Newhaven Harbour, East Sussex, England, Edward Hyde

Newhaven Harbour, East Sussex, England, Edward Hyde

internationallandscapephotographer Report

#24

Southern Iceland, Tommy Clarke

Southern Iceland, Tommy Clarke

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#25

Washougal, Washington, Usa, Miles Morgan

Washougal, Washington, Usa, Miles Morgan

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#26

Landscape Photographer: 3rd Place, Dolomites, Italy, Peter Svoboda

Landscape Photographer: 3rd Place, Dolomites, Italy, Peter Svoboda

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Monika Soffronow
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He managed to capture a dream in a photo. It is definitely from a dream.

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#28

2018 International Landscape Photograph Of The Year 3rd Place, Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana, Usa, Roberto Marchegiani

2018 International Landscape Photograph Of The Year 3rd Place, Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana, Usa, Roberto Marchegiani

internationallandscapephotographer Report

#29

Landscape Photographer: 3rd Place, Peter Svoboda

Landscape Photographer: 3rd Place, Peter Svoboda

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#30

Trango Towers, Northern Pakistan, Weimin Chu

Trango Towers, Northern Pakistan, Weimin Chu

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Tim Gearing
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks more like Los Cuernos in the Torre del Paine National Park,Chile

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