Known as Tse Bitai to the Diné (Navajo) people, or “winged rock,” in New Mexico is an otherworldly geological formation rising out of the desert that can be seen for miles around. The result of a massive volcanic eruption, the unique outcrop consists of a monolithic stack and at least six radiating, serpentine ridges of long-cooled lava.
Originally, Ship Rock was likely a few thousand feet below the ground, but gradual erosion over tens of millions of years has revealed its jagged shape. For , who won second place in this year’s contest, the natural landmark was an irresistible place to document from the air as a storm rolled through the Navajo Nation.
One of more than 3,600 entries from photographers around the world for the competition’s 12th edition, Nienartowicz’s image is joined by dozens more honorable mentions that highlight the astonishing diversity of our planet’s surface. Forests, deserts, mountains, lakes, canyons, plains, and many more nuanced ecological systems take center stage in the winners’ striking images.
A panel of judges chose three winners, with the first place award of Landscape Photographer of the Year presented to , followed closely by Nienartowicz and . Another category commended specific photographs, with ’s ethereal capture of New Plymouth, New Zealand, taking the top spot.
In total, a pool of 101 photographs made the cut for publication in the competition’s annual book, a further 101 of which can be viewed in the .
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