The winners of the 2023 Epson International Pano landscape photography awards have been announced. The overall winner of the 2023 Open Photographer of the Year and also the Nature/Landscape category is José D. Riquelme from Spain for his entries The Bridge, Alone in the Dark and Ghost Cave.
Describing The Bridge, Riquelme said, “After over a dozen visits to Iceland, exploring its majestic lands, during a rest stop, I decided to change my perspective and launch my drone. To my amazement, I captured this incredible image. From above, lines form a bridge extending from left to right, while on the ground, abstract shapes emerge from the flowing river water originating from the glacier.”
Journey
José D. Riquelme, a passionate landscape and night photographer hailing from Murcia, Spain, has embarked on a fascinating journey into the world of photography. Despite his extensive background in graphic design and printing, his photographic journey began just eight years ago. In his initial two years, challenging the conventional notion of photographic locations, he used his mobile phone to perfect compositions in seemingly unphotogenic environments.
In the stunning image Alone in the Dark, we are immersed in the mysterious and desolate landscape of Deadvlei, Namibia. In the foreground, a petrified tree, a solitary witness to the passing of time, stands majestically against a starry sky. The cracked and dry ground creates a surreal stage that adds depth and texture to the composition.
Ghost Cave is a breathtaking extreme panorama captured at the iconic Kirkjufell in Iceland. This image is composed of three rows of photographs spanning from the ground to the sky, embracing the wall behind. This panoramic composition achieves a stunning optical effect that simulates the appearance of a cave, adding a magical touch to the image.
Showcase
The Epson International Pano Awards showcases the work of panoramic photographers worldwide and continues to be the largest global competition for panoramic photography.
Epson Australia MD, Craig Heckenberg, said, “2023 has again proven to be a truly inspiring year for Pano Award entries. They are all excellent in terms of quality and creativity. Epson is proud to support and sponsor these awards as they connect photographers of all levels and from all walks of life through their passion.”
This year the competition received 4,414 entries from 1,104 professional and amateur photographers in 102 countries representing more entries per entrant this year, and an increase in entries overall from 2022. The entrants were competing for thousands of dollars cash and prizes with main sponsor Epson Australia alone providing prizes that included an Epson SureColor P7070 printer, an Epson SureColor P5070 printer and an Epson EB-1795F ultra-slim projector.
To view all the winning and top image galleries go to: https://thepanoawards.com/2023-winners-gallery
See also: Lauren Baker Battles the Elements at Burning Man
