Breathtaking shots from the 2022 Travel Photographer of the Year
The winners of the 2022 Travel Photographer of the Year have been announced, showcasing stunning photography with a focus on conservation and sustainability.
The competition, regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious photography competitions, received nearly 20,000 entries from both amateur and professional photographers in 154 different countries.
The top prize went to Slovenian photographer Matjaz Krivic who submitted a stunning shot of one of the world’s last two remaining northern white rhinos. Najin, the 33-year-old rhino, was pictured with her keeper, Zachary Mutai.
The picture was shot in Kenya’s Ol Pejeta Conservancy and demonstrates the impact of the Cumbre Vieja volcano’s eruption on La Palma’s landscape.
As the judges commented, Krivic told their story “beautifully and sensitively. The images are tender and intimate.”
“I am honoured to have my work recognised and acknowledged by the judges of the Travel Photographer of the Year competition …” Krivic said of his win. “Travel and photography has been my passion and a big part of my life since I can remember and this award inspires me to continue with my journey.”
A 14-year-old Australian, who now lives in Portugal, took home the Young Travel Photographer of the Year award. Kaia Tham’s work is shot solely on an iPhone, and the judges praised this choice by commenting, “seeing the world in a different way and exploring it with a phone rather than a camera has given this young photographer’s portfolio a fresh feel and a different perspective observing the streets of Lisbon.”
Two other Australians received acknowledgement for their work, securing themselves special mentions from the judges - Jason Edwards with one, and Scott Portelli with three.
2022’s People’s Choice award went to Romain Miot from France. This award is the only category in which the judges have no say on the winner - the 130 finalists are instead voted on by the general public.
Miot’s work features a salt caravan in Mauritania’s Sahara Desert. Of the photograph, Miot said, “when I returned from the trip, I realised that this image of a camel owner ordering the dromedaries looked like a conductor with an orchestra.”
The photos from the 2022 awards will be exhibited in May at the Royal Photographic Society as part of World Photography in Focus, ahead of the 21st Travel Photographer of the Year awards for 2023.
All image credits: 2022 Travel Photographer of the Year