The Natural Landscape Photography Awards (NLPA) has announced its 2025 winners. This competition stands apart by strictly prohibiting artificial intelligence (AI) generated images and composite photographs. Its rules emphasize authenticity, promoting photographers who capture the natural world within traditional photographic limits.
This year's contest attracted significant global participation. Over 11,000 entries were submitted by more than 1,100 photographers from 64 countries, highlighting the widespread interest in genuine landscape photography.
Key Takeaways
- NLPA bans AI and composite images, focusing on authentic photography.
- Over 11,000 entries received from 64 countries.
- Joy Kachina named Photographer of the Year for her Tasmania portfolio.
- Margrit Schwarz won Photograph of the Year for her Colorado River image.
- RAW file verification ensures image integrity.
Commitment to Authenticity in Photography
The Natural Landscape Photography Awards maintains a firm stance against modern image manipulation techniques. Unlike many other photography contests that permit extensive digital alterations, the NLPA has clear guidelines. These rules state that no generative AI can be used, and no combining of different photographs into a single image is allowed.
To ensure compliance, judges carefully review the RAW files submitted by entrants. This process helps verify the authenticity of each photograph. The competition aims to support photographers who work within the inherent constraints of the natural landscape and the established boundaries of traditional photography.
Why Authenticity Matters
In an era of rapidly advancing digital technology, the distinction between a captured moment and a digitally constructed image can become blurred. Competitions like the NLPA play a vital role in preserving and celebrating the art of traditional photography, where the photographer's skill in observation, composition, and technical execution in the field is paramount. This approach resonates with many photographers and audiences who value the integrity of an image as a true representation of reality.
Top Honors and Global Recognition
The most prestigious award, Photographer of the Year, was presented to Joy Kachina. Her winning portfolio showcases the unique and enchanting natural beauty of Tasmania, Australia. Kachina's work stood out for its ability to capture the essence of this diverse landscape, demonstrating a deep connection to her subject matter.
"My aim is to share the unique diversity of these places and invite others to reconnect with nature and the values it carries," said one of the award winners, reflecting the competition's ethos.
The Photograph of the Year award went to Margrit Schwarz. Her winning image was captured during a 12-day raft trip along the Colorado River. Schwarz's photograph highlights ancient stone layers, which she described as being "shaped by time and water into abstract forms." This image emphasizes the powerful forces of nature over millennia.
Prize Details
- The overall winner receives a cash prize of $5,000.
- Category winners and runners-up also receive awards and recognition.
Category Winners Showcase Diverse Natural Beauty
The competition featured several categories, each recognizing excellence in specific aspects of landscape photography. Both film and digital photographers are eligible to participate, ensuring a broad range of artistic approaches.
Grand Landscape Category
- Winner: Luis Vilarino
- Runner-Up: Samuel Markham
- Third Place: Gunar Streu
- Highly Commended: Benjamin Maze, Joshua Cripps
Abstract Landscapes Category
Ilan Shacham secured the top spot in the Abstract Landscapes category. His photograph features the Dead Sea, a body of water known for having approximately ten times more salinity than the ocean. The image captures hardened salt balls, or 'pearls,' and random ridges of salt that create striking patterns. This showcases the extreme conditions and unique formations found in certain natural environments.
- Winner: Ilan Shacham
- Runner-Up: Alex Pansier
- Third Place: Lukas Furlan
- Highly Commended: Lukas Furlan, Scott Oller
Intimate Landscapes Category
This category focuses on capturing smaller details and close-up perspectives within the landscape, revealing intricate beauty often overlooked in grander views.
- Winner: David Shaw
- Runner-Up: Vojtech Schmidt
- Third Place: Jude Dizon
- Highly Commended: Roger Kristiansen, Yuya Wakamatsu
Project of the Year Highlights Environmental Themes
The Project of the Year award was given to Hanneke Van Camp. Her compelling series documents the frozen landscapes of Sápmi, a cultural region traditionally inhabited by the Sámi people. Van Camp has a personal connection to the area.
"It has become my part-time home," Van Camp stated. "A place of incredible beauty but also of fragility, facing threats from climate change and exploitation. Through this project, I hope to share its unique diversity and invite others to reconnect with nature and the values it carries."
Her project not only showcases the beauty of Sápmi but also draws attention to its environmental vulnerability. This aligns with a growing global awareness about climate change and the need for conservation efforts.
According to the competition organizers, the NLPA continues to serve as a platform for photographers who prioritize genuine, unmanipulated imagery. It encourages a deeper appreciation for the Earth's natural wonders and the photographic skill required to capture them authentically.
For those interested in viewing all the winning and highly commended entries, or for information regarding next year's competition, details are available on the official Natural Landscape Photography Awards website. The competition remains a significant event for photographers dedicated to capturing the raw and unaltered beauty of the natural world.