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Lukas Furlan captures a snow-dusted mountain range beside cracked, dry earth in a split-screen image.

Lukas Furlan Captures Stunning Natural Wonders in Prestigious Photography Awards

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Written by Seth Sebastian

2026-09-23

Natural Landscapes Unveiled: The Natural Landscape Photography Awards have announced their winners, showcasing captivating images emphasizing authenticity and realism. This year, Lukas Furlan captures the essence of untouched landscapes with breathtaking clarity.

A Commitment to Authenticity

The competition celebrates photographers who faithfully portray scenes as they appear in reality. The rules prohibit techniques that could alter the integrity of the captured landscape. The focus is on maintaining the natural essence of the subject, ensuring no deception in the portrayal.

This exploration of nature is reminiscent of Casa Akíga’s jungle-inspired design, which blends architecture with the untamed beauty of Costa Rica.

While some post-processing, like stitching and stacking, is allowed, introducing new elements or using generative AI is strictly forbidden. Verification through RAW files is required to uphold these standards. Over 11,929 entries from 1,086 photographers across 52 countries were submitted. Among them, 2,558 photos advanced to final judging. He documents these natural moments with stunning fidelity, setting a benchmark for authenticity.

Honoring the Best

Photographer of the Year: Lukas Furlan received top honors with his diverse portfolio, ranging from macro ice details to vast mountain vistas. His work stands out for its dedication to realistic processing. Furlan captures the raw and majestic elements of our world, making his portfolio truly exceptional.

Large, jagged rock formations on a grassy slope beneath a cloudy, misty mountain sky.
Three large, jagged rock formations stand on a grassy, rocky slope beneath a cloudy, mist-filled mountain sky.

He expressed gratitude and reflected on his journey, noting significant inspiration from a solo trip through Spain, Vienna, and the Dolomites. Through every frame, Furlan reveals the spirit and soul of each landscape with a unique perspective.

Twisted, moss-covered tree with autumn leaves against a forested hillside backdrop.
A moss-covered tree with twisted branches and autumn-colored leaves stands against a backdrop of a forested hillside.

Acknowledging Remarkable Talent

Runner-Up and Third Place: Exceptional talent was also recognized in these categories, showcasing diverse landscapes and techniques.

Tree trunks rise from a frozen pond with circular patches of open water.
Several tree trunks rise vertically out of a frozen, snow-dusted pond, each surrounded by a small, circular patch of open water.
Close-up of vertical, fan-shaped ice formations in crystalline white and pale blue.
A close-up view of vertical, fan-shaped ice formations with textured, crystalline surfaces in shades of white and pale blue.

Photograph of the Year

Abraham Saikley was awarded for his breathtaking capture of a rugged mountain range.

Award-winning photograph titled 'Photograph of the Year' by Abraham Saikley.
Photograph of the Year by Abraham Saikley

Projects Winner

Gabriel Stankiewicz won the project award for his exploration of pine forests across a vast geographical range.

“I rediscovered familiar pine forests after traveling to capture majestic landscapes,” Stankiewicz reflected on his journey.

Sunlit pine branch tips and trees highlighted against a shadowy forest backdrop.
Sunlight illuminates the tips of pine branches and two central trees against a backdrop of a dense, shadowed forest.
A large pine tree with a smaller bare tree in a frost-covered, misty landscape.
A large, sunlit pine tree stands in the foreground next to a smaller, bare tree in a misty, frost-covered landscape.
Snow-covered trees and rock formations on a frozen, misty mountainside under golden light.
Snow-covered trees and rugged rock formations stand on a misty, frozen mountainside under a soft, golden light.

Recognizing Category Excellence

The awards also celebrate top images across various categories, highlighting individual photographic achievements.

Grand Landscape:

Shallow lake surrounded by arid hills and snow-capped mountains under cloudy skies.
A high-angle view of a pale, shallow lake surrounded by arid, brown hills under a dramatic, cloudy sky with snow-capped mountains.

Intimate Landscape:

Long-exposure water shot creating swirling, blurred white streaks over a dark surface.
A long-exposure shot of water flowing over a dark, submerged surface, creating swirling, blurred white streaks.

Abstract Landscape:

Aerial view of glacier featuring swirling debris patterns and deep crevasses.
An aerial view of a glacier surface featuring intricate, dark, swirling patterns of debris and deep crevasses across the ice.

Black and White:

High-angle view of concentric liquid patterns with a dark opening on a gray surface.
A high-angle view of a thick, light-gray liquid surface featuring concentric circular patterns and a dark, irregular opening at the top.

Platinum / Palladium:

Mountaineers traverse a snow-covered ridge beneath dramatic skies and jagged peaks.
A group of mountaineers traverses a snow-covered ridge beneath dramatic, cloud-filled skies and jagged mountain peaks.

Multiple Exposure and ICM:

Surreal mirrored landscape with sunset sky and silhouetted pine trees reflected in water.
A surreal, vertically mirrored landscape showing a sunset sky and silhouetted pine trees reflected in calm water.

Night:

Winding glacier flows between mountain ranges under a night sky filled with the Milky Way.
A winding glacier flows between dark, snow-capped mountain ranges under a vibrant night sky filled with the Milky Way.

Mountains:

Sunlight through clouds over a mountain valley framed by large rock formations.
Sunlight streams through clouds over a deep mountain valley, framed by large, layered rock formations in the foreground.

Fungi and Lichens:

Cluster of small, orange mushrooms in a crevice of a textured tree trunk.
A cluster of small, glossy orange mushrooms grows within a deep, weathered crevice of a dark, textured tree trunk.

Waterscapes:

Stormy sky over a hillside with bare trees beside a lake and golden-brown reeds.
A dark, stormy sky hangs over a golden-brown hillside and a small cluster of bare trees beside a dark lake with reeds.

Common Places:

Field of dry, golden-brown grass before dense, grey winter trees.
A horizontal view of a field of dry, golden-brown grass in the foreground against a dense thicket of bare, grey winter trees.

Frozen Worlds:

For those inspired by landscape photography, the techniques for capturing waterfalls offer valuable insights into harnessing nature’s dynamic beauty.

Aerial view of pancake ice floating on dark, deep blue water.
An aerial view of pancake ice floating on dark, deep blue water.

The full selection of winning images is available on the Natural Landscape Photography Awards website, showcasing the incredible spectrum of natural beauty captured by this year’s photographers where Furlan immortalizes some of the most striking scenes.

Source: petapixel.com

Frequently asked questions

Who won the Best Photographer of the Year?

Lukas Furlan received top honors with his diverse portfolio, ranging from macro ice details to vast mountain vistas.

What standards are upheld by the photography awards?

The competition emphasizes authenticity and realism, prohibiting techniques that could alter the integrity of the captured landscape. Verification through RAW files is required to ensure the standards are upheld.

How many entries were submitted to the photography competition?

Over 11,929 entries from 1,086 photographers across 52 countries were submitted.

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