Unique tip of the iceberg photo wins 2021 Natural Landscape Photography Awards

Landscape photography is one of my favorite genres, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll love the winning photos of the 2021 Natural Landscape Photography Awards. The best image of the year shows the tip of an iceberg, and wouldn’t let me stop staring at it in awe. But it’s only… well, a tip of the iceberg, as this contest showcases plenty more stunning photos in the winners’ gallery. So, let’s check them out!

This year, the contest received 13,368 photos from over 1,300 photographers coming from 47 countries. There are four categories, including Grand Landscape, Intimate & Abstract, Nightscape, and Aerial. In addition, the contest also recognizes Photographer of the Year and the best project, and there’s a Youth Photographers category for those under 18 years of age.

The best photo of the year was taken by Steve Alterman. My partner and I both stared at it, both awed and intrigued, trying to figure out what it shows. Is it a sky? No, that can’t be the Moon. What is it? As it turned out, it’s actually quite simple: it’s a piece of an iceberg washed ashore in Iceland. Steve took the photo at Fellsfjara, the black sand beach opposite the famous glacial lagoon in the southeast of the country. “As icebergs from the lagoon wash out to sea, many of them are stranded on the beach, destined to melt away,” the photographer explains. Well, this one got to be turned into a mesmerizing image that brought Steve the first prize.

As for the Photographer of the Year, the 2021 winner is Eric Bennett. He was awarded for multiple images, ranging from magical, mystical landscapes to almost abstract close-up shots. If you ask me, each of them has its own magic and beauty, inspiring me to look around and search for photogenic scenes in my vicinity.

As I mentioned, this contest awards plenty more photos and photographers across its categories. Take a look at the winners and runner-ups below, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy them as much as I did. Make sure to visit Natural Landscape Photography Awards’ website for more information and for even more stunning images.