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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

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    #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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    candyprince avatar
    Kioh81
    Community Member
    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

    internationallandscapephotographer Report

    #8

    Solbjørnvatnet, Lofoten, Norway, Daniel Laan

    Solbjørnvatnet, Lofoten, Norway, Daniel Laan

    internationallandscapephotographer Report

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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

    internationallandscapephotographer Report

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    #11

    Paria, Utah, Usa, Dylan Fox

    Paria, Utah, Usa, Dylan Fox

    internationallandscapephotographer Report

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    diane1atk avatar
    diane a
    Community Member
    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

    internationallandscapephotographer Report

    #14

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

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

    internationallandscapephotographer Report

    #15

    Gobi Desert, Mongolia, Ignacio Palacios

    Gobi Desert, Mongolia, Ignacio Palacios

    internationallandscapephotographer Report

    #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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    wynandcoetzee avatar
    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

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    #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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    dhejno avatar
    Rowlie
    Community Member
    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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    diane1atk avatar
    diane a
    Community Member
    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

    internationallandscapephotographer Report

    #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

    internationallandscapephotographer Report

    #25

    Washougal, Washington, Usa, Miles Morgan

    Washougal, Washington, Usa, Miles Morgan

    internationallandscapephotographer Report

    #26

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

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

    internationallandscapephotographer Report

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    monika-soffronow avatar
    Monika Soffronow
    Community Member
    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

    internationallandscapephotographer Report

    #30

    Trango Towers, Northern Pakistan, Weimin Chu

    Trango Towers, Northern Pakistan, Weimin Chu

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    timgearing avatar
    Tim Gearing
    Community Member
    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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