There’s nothing quite like the power of a photograph to truly capture the heart of a place—and awaken the travel bug inside us all. But with social media inundated with images of far-flung destinations, the search for high-quality travel photography can often be a tougher pursuit. So, in place of scrolling, why not let an expert panel of judges filter out the best of the best for you?
This week, the international Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) awards announced their 2023 winners, selected from more than 20,000 images taken by amateur and professional photographers from over 150 countries. The judging of the competition takes place over three rounds; all 16 judges are leading photographers or experts in the field and are not made aware of the identity or nationality of any entrants.
Ranging from ethereal landscapes of the Italian countryside to striking portraits in Pakistan and Russia, the winning shots—including the celebrated work of Travel Photographer of the Year AndreJa Ravnak—reflect a “subtle elegance,” says TPOTY founder Chris Coe.
“This comes through in both of AndreJa’s winning portfolios; one takes us into simple landscapes, with delicate colors and a textural beauty, the other into the hop fields, out of season and undressed ready for the next planting,” Coe says. “Neither are obvious subjects, neither photographed at an optimal time of year, and yet they are both engaging and rather beautiful.”
Ravnak’s winning submissions consists of eight shots photographed in the farmlands of Italy, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia.
“From my personal experience, I know it’s not easy to judge photography. Images are not measurable, so being a judge is a complex task and responsibility,” says Ravnak, a professional architect from Slovenia. “Congratulations to all the winners; together, we are enthusiastically documenting this wonderful world, and perhaps this is a small contribution, a reminder to preserve its wonder for future generations.”
Below, see the 2023 winners of the Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) awards, featuring Japan’s Lake Shirakawa, volcanic eruptions in Iceland, Shamanic rituals in Siberia, wildebeest migration in Kenya—and more.
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