The winner of the inaugural International Landscape Photographer of the Year  is Christian Fletcher from Western Australia. "My aim was to produce striking images from the air that had an industrial theme," Christian says. "As a photographer I feel it is my duty to capture the world we live in, be it pristine wilderness or industrial oblivion. Both are inspiring in a photographic sense but only one is sustainable."

ILPOTY Press Release

Aussie Aerial Assault on Inaugural International Photography Competition

THE INTERNATIONAL LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2014 – Winners Announced!

Sydney, Australia
Earlier this year, a new global competition purely for the showcase of landscape photography was launched. There were 2233 entries from photographers around the world.

The winner of the inaugural International Landscape Photographer of the Year (based on a folio submission of at least 4 images) is Christian Fletcher from Western Australia with a series of ‘industrial’ aerial images.

Christian says, ‘I was pleasantly shocked to be announced the International Landscape Photographer of the year. When the call came in that I had won, I was thinking it was a prank. Looking at the top 101 images I was blown away by the quality and depth of the work. There was no way I thought I had even the remotest chance. Luckily for me the judges chose my portfolio from all the others.’

‘My aim was to produce striking images from the air that had an industrial theme. I am concerned about the path we are heading down. By showing what is beyond the view of most of the public, I hoped to create a conversation about why we are heading down that path and if it is necessary. Of course it is a vey complicated subject and not one tackled lightly. As a photographer I feel it is my duty to capture the world we live in, be it pristine wilderness or industrial oblivion. Both are inspiring in a photographic sense but only one is sustainable. I choose the wilderness any day!’

christianfletcher.com.au

The winner of the International Landscape Photograph of the Year is Craig Parry, another Australian from Lennox Head in NSW, also with an aerial image.

Craig says, ‘In late December 2013 my hometown of Lennox Head in Northern NSW experienced one of its biggest scrubland bushfires in recent history. After crews had finally put out all the spot fires I went in search for that magic abstract image that I had been visualising over that past week as I could see the colours and shapes produced by the fire. The burnt/black part of the image was the shorter bottle brush and the taller scorched trees are the gums which created the interesting composition which I named "life and death". The image was captured with my remote Helicam and my Canon 5D mark 3 / 20mm f2.8 Camera settings : 1/500sec f7.1 ISO 250 WB 6100’

‘This image represents a significant moment in time, illustrating the power of nature and its ability to create life and destroy it’, said Craig.

craigparryphotography.com

Yet another Australian photographer, Tom Putt, from Melbourne, remarkably placed runnerup in both Photographer AND Photograph of the Year.

Tom’s B&W images included locations in Australia and overseas, with subjects as diverse as sand dunes, and snow covered landscapes.

Tom says, ‘My landscape photography has evolved from panoramic landscapes, "chocolate box images”, I call them, to more artistic landscapes concentrating on light, repetition, symmetry and abstract forms. I now look for a more simplistic image that conveys a level of enquiry beyond the obvious to the viewer.’

‘I am honoured to be chosen as the Runner Up for the International Landscape Portfolio of the Year as well as the Runner Up for the International Landscape Photographer of the Year.’ ‘For 17 years I’ve been shooting landscapes. My creativity and passion lies in photographing the outdoors and highlighting the beauty of our landscapes. To be amongst so many respected fellow landscape photographers is the highlight of my career so far.’

inspirelandscapes.com

In third place for the International Landscape Photographer of the Year is Will Dielenberg, also from Australia. In third place for the International Landscape Photograph of the Year is Bas Meelker from The Netherlands.

The competition was run with the aim of finding the best 101 landscape images from the past 12 months and publishing them in a beautiful coffee table book which will be available in a variety of formats, including a free e-book.

There are also some special awards for a bit of fun and bragging rights, and the winners are;

The Lone Tree Award; Mark Seawell, Germany
The Fuzzy Water Award; Ted Grambeau, Australia
The Jetty Award; David Anderson, Australia
The Sunset Award; Marcos Furer, Argentina
The ‘HOT’ location award – Iceland; Bas Meelker, The Netherlands

For all the details and winners, and the top 101 images, visit the website www.internationallandscapephotographer.com

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Photograph: Christian Fletcher

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