Categories and Prizes
This page outlines the various categories, awards and prizes available for 2025.
$16,500 in cash, $2,185 in tripods, and $735 in NPN subscriptions.
Every winning photographer (17 in total) and 100+ stand-out photographers will also receive a free copy of our annual fine art book, totalling $8,000 in value.
Natural Landscape Photographer of the Year
The Natural Landscape Photographer of the Year is awarded to the photographer with the best collection of 6 images. In contrast to the Project Award below, these images do not need to relate to one another and should display a variety of content, techniques and approaches. You will automatically be considered for the award if you enter 6 or more images in any category except Project Award entries, which are excluded (but you may enter your Project images separately for consideration). Judges will be instructed to evaluate the best overall portfolio of images with an emphasis on a diversity of subject matter and technique (wide angle, telephoto, macro, aerial). While a photographer may be eligible to win as a “specialist,” i.e. macro/aerial, a strong preference will be given to those with wide representation in their portfolio of submissions. The winner and runner up will be excluded from winning other prizes. Lastly, this coveted top prize may only be won once in a photographer’s lifetime.
First Place: Cash Prize of US $5,000 and first choice from our FLM tripod pool.
Runner-up: Cash Prize of US $1,000.
Natural Landscape Photograph of the Year
First Place: Cash Prize of US $1,000, and third choice from our FLM tripod pool.
Project of the Year
A collection of 6-10 images that relate to one another in a way that is entirely up to the photographer. For example the images might show a particular geographic region, or show abstract textures, or tell a story, or illuminate a concept, or any combination! Accompanying the photographs will be the photographer’s explanation of the theme which will be read by the judges when considering the project.
Please note – This award is totally separate from the other categories and judged in isolation. For a good primer on project-based submissions, we recommend reading Theo Bosboom’s article.
First Place: Cash Prize of US $1,500, and second choice from our FLM tripod pool.
Runner-Up: Cash Prize of US $500.
Project Example
We’ve included an example from the 1st year of the competition – a wonderful entry from Theo Bosboom.
European Canyons by Theo Bosboom
My project aims to highlight the beauty, diversity, and importance of European canyons and gorges. Shaped by the powerful forces of water from many thousands or even millions of years, canyons are very interesting from a geological point of view. Because they are usually hard to negotiate and only partly accessible – in the right conditions – they are among the wildest places in Europe and often have a wonderful, untouched and diverse vegetation. Last but not least, canyons and gorges have always instilled fear in people and in many places they were thought to be inhabited by ghosts or the devil. You can still see this in the names of the canyons, bridges, tracks, or points within.
This seleection contains images taken in some of Europe’s most intesting canyons and gorges, in different seaons and conditions, including Sicily (Italy), Germany, Sweden, Iceland, and Norway.
Grand Landscape
These images almost always include a sky and a foreground, have multiple subjects, and are generally captured at a wider angle, but not always.
Grand Landscape Award:
Cash Prize of US $1,000.
NEW in 2025! Grand Landscape Award Runner-Up:
Cash Prize of US $500.
See inspiration and examples from previous years.
Grand Landscape Photo by Jurre Jan de Wit
Intimate Landscape
These photographs can be created at any focal length (but usually using a mid-range or telephoto focal length) and generally show a smaller selection of a larger scene. Generally, these images do not include a sky. For example, this might be a waterfall with towering cliffs, a single tree in the mist, or a woodland interior.
Intimate Landscape Award:
Cash Prize of US $1,000.
See inspiration and examples for this category.
Intimate Landscapes Photograph by Sho Hoshino
Abstract Landscape
An abstract image relies on subject and/or scale ambiguity and should be a non-representative interpretation of nature and the landscape. It can be a scene of any scale. These photographs use angles, compositions, and patterns to create images that evoke emotions and challenge the viewer’s perception of the world.
Abstract Landscape Award:
Cash Prize of US $1,000.
See inspiration and examples for this category.
Abstract Landscapes Photo by Scott Oller
Special Awards
Every image entered into the main categories may also be entered into each of the below awards which are set up to ensure that a wide variety of sub-genres of landscape photography are recognized by the competition. You may enter your image(s) into as many special awards as you’d like using the checkboxes in our entry page, but you’ll want to ensure it actually makes sense to include it there. Prize: $500 per award.
Tropical Landscapes
(New in 2025)
A tropical place typically appears as a lush, green landscape with dense vegetation like tall trees, vines, and large leaves, often featuring a vibrant array of flowers, all under a hot and humid climate with abundant rainfall, usually characterized by a distinct wet and dry season, and minimal temperature variation throughout the year. Think of a lush rainforest with towering palm trees, abundant epiphytes, and diverse wildlife, often situated near the equator.
Tropical Landscapes Award: $500.
Tropical Landscape by James Hider
Woodlands
(New in 2025)
Woodlands photographs can be captured in any forest environment but usually showcase mood, seasonal changes, and require mastering the ability to reduce chaos into structure.
Woodlands Award: $500.
Woodlands Photograph by Felix Wesch
Rocks and Geology
(New in 2025)
Photographs showcasing the incredible awe and natural processes of geology and rocks.
Rocks and Geology Award: $500.
Rocks and Geology Photograph by Eric Bennett
Mountains
From small local hills to grand Himalayan peaks.
Mountains Award: $500.
Mountains by David Tolcher
Frozen Worlds
(New in 2025)
Photographs depicting landscapes that feature frozen features including ice and/or snow.
Frozen Worlds Award: $500.
Frozen Worlds Photograph by Hitomi Seki
Desert Landscapes
(New in 2025)
Images showcasing the arid desert environment.
Desert Landscapes Award: $500.
Desert Landscapes Photo by Brie Stockwell
In Your Backyard
(New in 2025)
Images captured within 25 miles of home, often featuring more mundane or quieter subjects.
In Your Backyard Award: $500.
In Your Backyard Photo by Xavier Lequarre
Seascapes
Images featuring the sea, whether that be thundering waves on rocks or quieter beach scenes.
Seascapes Award: $500.
Seascapes Photograph by Philipp Jakesch
Thank you to our Sponsors
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FLM Tripod Prize Pool
The Photographer of the Year will have first choice, the winner of the Project of the Year will have second choice, and then the winner of the Photograph of the Year will receive the remaining tripod. The prize pool is comprised of these three great tripods:
FLM began in 1994 as a small family business focused on metrology and supplying ball heads for industrial and scientific applications. The original owners gradually developed what are today’s FLM ball heads, and early versions of FLM tripods.
Throughout its history, FLM has always been about quality and precision, using the best materials and offering unparalled value. None of that has changed, as FLM’s new Series II tripods are being recognized as among the best in the world.
