Seemingly gravity-defying canines, stunning close-ups of insects and mesmerising safari silhouettes — these are among the winning snaps in the nature categories of the 2021 International Photography Awards.
The annual contest — which is in its 19th iteration this year — was established to promote the appreciation of photography, discover emerging talent and salute the achievements of the world's finest photographers.
It is open to photographers of all types, including professionals, amateurs and student artists.
The title of 'Nature Photographer of the Year' was awarded to Dutch photographer Liselotte Schuppers, who dazzled the judges with her breath-taking monochrome equine-themed photo, which she titled 'Beyond Horses'.
'I am fascinated by Baroque Friesian stallions,' Ms Schuppers said. 'In this image I work with the horses in a studio setting where I have encounters with real personalities and their emotions.'
Seemingly gravity-defying canines, stunning close-ups of insects and mesmerising safari silhouettes — these are among the winning snaps in the nature categories of the International Photography Awards. Pictured: 'Happiness' by Claudio Piccoli
The annual contest — which is in its 19th iteration this year — was established to promote the appreciation of photography, discover emerging talent and salute the achievements of the of the world's finest photographers. Pictured: Maya Maymoniâ's shot entitled 'Savanna Storm' took third place in the 'Professional Nature, Wildlife' category
The International Photography Awards is open to photographers of all types, including professionals, amateurs and student artists. Pictured: Pedro Luis Ajuriaguerra Saiz's series of insect close-ups took third place in the Macro category
The title of 'Nature Photographer of the Year' was awarded to Dutch photographer Liselotte Schuppers, who dazzled the judges with her breath-taking monochrome equine-themed photo, which she titled 'Beyond Horses', pictured. 'I am fascinated by Baroque Friesian stallions,' Ms Schuppers said. 'In this image I work with the horses in a studio setting where I have encounters with real personalities and their emotions'
Pictured: Teguh Aria Djana's 'Singing in the Rain' received an honourable mention. 'When it was rain, two frogs were found under the leaves. I am lucky enough to capture one of them opening its mouth like singing a song,' he said
Pictured: Pedro Luis Ajuriaguerra Saiz's series of insect close-ups took third place in the Macro category
Wildlife photographer Bence Mate of Hungary secured second place in the 'Professional Nature, Sunset' category for his collection of safari-esque silhouettes taken in the uMkhuze Game Reserve, in South Africa.
'The key to producing a successful silhouette is exposure for the background,' Mr Bence explained.
'When exposed correctly, foreground subjects will be underexposed by ten stops, rendering them as solid black.'
And, he continued, 'when low sunlight illuminates clouds, dust and water grains in the air, vivid yellow, red, pink and purple tones appear.
'As this phenomenon is short-lived, each image required careful planning, and sometimes many sessions were needed to capture the images that I had set out to achieve.'
The 'Professional Nature, Macro' category honoured snapshots of some of the planet's tiniest creatures — with its first place going to Germany's Adalbert Mojrzisch for his close-ups of bug eyes.
'If you look at insects at high magnifications, interesting structures and beautiful colours come to light. Especially the eyes are very interesting,' Mr Mojrzisch said.
'Photographing such fine details requires special equipment, some of which I developed and assembled myself. I use a self-made photo tube and microscope lenses corrected to infinity, mounted on a self-made rail.
'Each image is a composite of many individual images that are stacked and stitched together.'
Third place in the macro category, meanwhile, went to self-taught photographer Pedro Luis Ajuriaguerra Saiz of Bilbao, Spain for his up-close-and-personal series of insects, all shot against colourful backdrops.
'Macro photography allows you to see amazing portraits of these insects, damselflies, spiders, butterflies, beetles,' Pedro said.
Third place in the macro category, meanwhile, went to self-taught photographer Pedro Luis Ajuriaguerra Saiz of Bilbao, Spain for his up-close-and-personal series of insects, all shot against colourful backdrops. 'Macro photography allows you to see amazing portraits of these insects, damselflies, spiders, butterflies, beetles,' Pedro said
Wildlife photographer Bence Mate of Hungary secured second place in the 'Professional Nature, Sunset' category for his collection of safari-esque silhouettes taken in the uMkhuze Game Reserve, in South Africa
Kristin Schnell took third place in the 'Professional Nature, Animals / Pets' category for her series titled 'Not Good Enough'. The images were all of animals who once suffered as a result of not being valued by their owners — but have since found happiness in a sanctuary
Andrew Doggett said that his series, 'Exceptional Creatures', was 'a timeless ode to the most extraordinary — and often endangered — animals in the world.' It took 2nd place in the
