Just in case you ever needed a reminder that our planet is a stunningly beautiful place, the fifth annual Landscape Photographer of the Year competition winners have been announced and they don’t disappoint.

Selected from a field of nearly 3000 entries taken by 863 photographers, the judges had the difficult task of narrowing them down to eventual winners. The overall photographer of the year, based on a folio submission of at least 4 images, was Adam Gibbs, from Canada.

But what makes a great landscape photographer? Is it persistence? Experience? Luck? Passion?

“Looking at Adam Gibbs’ winning portfolio, we can see a diversity of views, an understanding of light and the expert use of framing and composition,” the judges explained. “From sandy aerials to icy mountain locations, Adam’s portfolio demonstrates a range of topics, an essential component when it comes to convincing our judges that you are the International Landscape Photographer of the Year.”

Adam’s skill was perfectly complimented by the rich beauty of his native country, in particular his local area of Vancouver Island. “It is an exceptional place,” he said. “The landscape is rugged, but not in your face and extremely challenging, especially the forests. I love it. However, other than the popular Canadian Rockies, the rest of British Columbia and Canada itself are highly underrated, in my opinion, as prime photo destinations for those seeking raw wilderness experiences.”

Winner of the prize for Landscape Photograph Of The Year, based on a single image, is Paul Marcellini, from the USA. Specializing in Florida scenery, Paul’s artistic shot of tree trunks creating an optical illusion in a swamp was simply stunning in its composition. “I seem to love every place I spend some time in, but it is the swamps of Florida that will always be my favorite habitat to explore,” Paul said. “I enjoy the challenge of trying to organize the chaos. It is also a pretty strong bet that I will be the only one out there and the solitude is great!”

Scroll down below to check out other selected wonders from the competition, and bask in the magnificence of Mother Nature. Do you agree with the winning choices? Which ones are your favorites? Let us know in the comments!

#1 Between Waynoka And Enid, Oklahoma, Usa, John Finney

#2 2018 The Snow & Ice Award, Lapland, Finland, Ignacio Palacios

#3 Landscape Photographer: Winner, Botanical Bay, Port Renfrew, Vancouver Island, Brittish Columbia, Canada, Adam Gibbs

#4 2018 International Landscape Photograph Of The Year Winner, South Eastern Usa, Paul Marcellini

#5 Appenzell, Switzerland, Simone Cmoon

#6 Landscape Photographer: 3rd Place, Dolomites, Italy, Peter Svoboda

#7 Torres Del Paine National Park, Chile, Weimin Chu

#8 South East Coast Of Australia, Warren Keelan

#9 2018 International Landscape Photograph Of The Year 2nd Place, Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, Usa, Miles Morgan

#10 Gobi Desert, Mongolia, Ignacio Palacios

#11 Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, Indonesia, Weimin Chu

#12 Solbjørnvatnet, Lofoten, Norway, Daniel Laan

#13 White Mountains National Forest, New Hampshire, Usa, Matt Macpherson

#14 Sződliget, Hungary, Gabor Dvornik

#15 Newhaven Harbour, East Sussex, England, Edward Hyde

#16 Yellowstone National Park, Usa, Huibo Hou

#17 Oregon, Usa, Nico Rinaldi

#18 Paria, Utah, Usa, Dylan Fox

#19 Landscape Photographer: 2nd Place, Los Glaciares National Park, Patagonia, Argentina, Greg Boratyn

#20 Grosser Rachel, National Park Bayerischer Wald, Bavaria, Germany, Lukáš Veselý

#21 Inland Central California Industrial Area, Usa, Paul Hoelen

#22 Pindan Shoreline, Near Broome, Western Australia, Mat Beetson

#23 Red Sand Garden – Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne, Victoria, Australia, Peter Virag

#24 Al Qudra, Dubai Deserts, United Arab Emirates, Cuma Cevik

#25 Nockberge Mountains, Austria, Daniel Trippolt

#26 Landscape Photographer: 2nd Place, Imperial Dunes, California, Usa, Greg Boratyn

#27 Keetmanshoop, Namibia, Anfrey Omelyanchuk

#28 Skogafoss, Iceland, Jose D Riquelme

#29 Landscape Photographer: 3rd Place, Alps, Austria, Peter Svoboda

#30 Torres Del Paine National Park, Chile, Xiao Zhu

#31 Lake Eyre, South Australia, Julie Fletcher

#32 Namib – Naukluft National Park, Namibia, Tom Putt

#33 Tolbachik, Kamchatka, Russia, Xiao Zhu

#34 Den Helder, North Sea, Netherlands, Danial Laan

#35 Oregon, Usa, Yan Zhang

#36 Hanksville, Utah, Usa, Miles Morgan

#37 Valensole, France, Peter Lik