The Winning Images From the 2016 'USA Landscape Photographer of the Year' Awards

Mount Rainier as seen from Tipsoo Lake, Washington (Alex Noriega/2016 USA Landscape Photographer of the Year)

The backdrop of the American wilderness has served as an inspiration for countless photographers throughout the centuries. And it has stayed a source of wonder and inspiration well into the 21st century. The USA Landscape Photographer of the Year awards—which was founded in 2013—has judged the best in the genre for the past three years, and has become one of the most preeminent competitions of its kind (famed U.K. landscape photographer Charlie Waite is the brains behind it all).

Here’s how it’s set up: judges award an overall winner (see above) $15,000, who is chosen from the winners of seven categories. These include: Black and White; Classic View; Environmental Value; My USA; Urban; DPReview Special Award; and Future Publishing Special Award. Check out all the winners below. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be looking at the work of the next Ansel Adams.

Mammatus Makers, Kansas (Terry Koyama/2016 USA Landscape Photographer of the Year)

Fonts Point, Anza Borrego Desert, California (Michael Shainblum/2016 USA Landscape Photographer of the Year)

Clarence Canon Wildlife Refuge, Annada (Terrence Bond/2016 USA Landscape Photographer of the Year)

Grand Canyon National Park (James Menzies/2016 USA Landscape Photographer of the Year)

Polytechnic University of Florida, Orlando (Souvik Dutta/2016 USA Landscape Photographer of the Year)

SOUVIK DUTTA

Waimea Bay Beast, Oahu, Hawaii (Terry Koyama/2016 USA Landscape Photographer of the Year)

Brooklyn Bridge, New York, New York (Az Jackson/2016 USA Landscape Photographer of the Year)

See all the runner-up photos and honorable mentions from this year’s contest here. To get a taste of the British landscape photography competition, click here.