Natural Landscape Volume Two
The Natural Landscape Photography Awards (NLPA) is a competition created to find the very best landscape and nature photography on Earth. It has recently announced the recipients of the awards for the fourth year of the competition. NLPA is a competition for digital and film photographers who value realism in their images and edit with this in mind. Each year a book is created to showcase the best of the entries from that year’s competition.This review is for Book 2 in the series. The book represents a snapshot of what is deemed by the judges that year to be the best in landscape photography that adheres to the strict rules of the competition.
Consequently we are treated to a selection not only of fine images but of images which are faithful to the landscape and represent a view which could have been witnessed by the reader had they been there.
In a world where AI generated images increasingly add to those which have been processed beyond any, even tenuous, link to the reality of the original scene, this authentic thread ensures a distinct and positive aspect to the book in my view.
The books are produced on high quality paper and printed to the highest quality that I’m capable of judging. They look and feel superb - each one is a thing of beauty in itself.
In addition to being a showcase for the best in contemporary landscape photography, this volume has a series of essays containing both insights and advice. In some cases, specific advice for those considering entering future iterations of the competition.
I think these essays, being both well written and from writers at the top of their fields, represent a tangible added value to the images on show.
The images are arranged according to the competition categories and the environments in which they are made. We therefore have Projects, Intimate Landscapes, Mountains, Deserts, Grand Scenics etc.
One cannot fail to be impressed by the standard of these images. Those of us who engage in the dark arts of landscape photography also know how often a single image may represent only the tip of a truly colossal iceberg of effort in terms of distance walked, height gained, conditions endured or repeat visits made. In many cases it also represents an enormous investment in terms of time to learn the craft and money to acquire the necessary equipment. This is of course a curated selection.
Every image won't please every eye but viewing them will enhance the eye of every landscape photographer in my opinion.
I'm saddened to see the UK comparatively thinly represented. My deeply subjective view is that our landscapes are the most beautiful and understated in the world.
Of course the number of featured images is, I’m sure related to the number of entries. In true cyclic fashion however the number of UK entries is also probably related to the perceived chance of being a winner as evidenced by the percentage of UK entries in the book.
I've included some images from the book. They include some of my personal favourites but by no means an exhaustive list. This book is crammed full of the highest quality work. These are deliberately grabbed phone photos as I have no permission to share good reproductions from the competition.
It is worth noting that all books are available in pdf format but while there is a substantial cost saving, in my opinion nothing compares with the look, feel and smell of a well printed hard bound book.
These are high quality products and are currently available with some individual and bundle discounts.
Whether you entered or ever enter competitions and whatever your views on competitions, this is a beautiful book. I can recommend it without hesitation. It flies the flag for natural, authentic images that faithfully record our beautiful landscape.
Copies are available from:
https://naturallandscapeawards.com/product-category/fine-art-photography-books/
