Thank you to all the photographers that shared their best photos showing the most amazing landscapes in the Sweeping Landscapes Photo Contest with chances to win a Tamron SP 15-30MM F/2.8 Di VC USD Lens and more!

"Let me start by saying, these are truly some of the most incredible landscape images I have seen! As I went through them, each and every time an image came up, I said “oohh, that’s a winner”! Each one of them is worthy of winning and I would be proud to have them in my portfolio! As I narrowed it down to an overall winner I had to start looking at all aspects of the composition. Which one did the best job of using all the elements in the frame to capture my attention and keep me captivated as I viewed it? I started looking at how foregrounds led me to backgrounds and the background kept focused on my subject. I studied" - David Akoubian

A special thanks to our friend and professional photographer David Akoubian for his collaboration as a guest judge. David has been a photographer since 1972 but his career in photography started in 1992. David learned his craft originally as a painter and from his father. His photographs and articles have appeared in publications such as Nature Photographer, Audubon Magazine, Blue Ridge Country, Birder's World, Outdoor Photographer, Backpacker Magazine, and many local publications. He specializes in the grand and micro landscape.

Grand Jury Winner

"The photographer used great leading lines to take me to the foreground objects of the waterfalls. As I was lead through the frame to the mountain and beyond, the rainbows brought me back to my subject. Each time I studied the image, my eyes and attention always returned back to the mountain with so many elements keeping me there." - David Akoubian

Runner Up

"The photographer did a great job of simplifying the scene and capturing it for mood. Looking at the scene, it relaxes you. Recognizing the symmetry of the scene enhances the waterfall and keeps the focus of the viewer." - David Akoubian

Runner Up

"I really like the use of the foreground elements and their contrast to the rest of the scene. The photographer also did a great job of presenting a path to follow as I ventured visually into the frame." - David Akoubian

Runner Up

"The photographer framed the image nicely with the use of shadow and highlight to get my attention in the foreground, then kept me visually occupied with the mountains. The clouds acted as a nice leading line for me to stay with my subject once again." - David Akoubian

Runner Up

"Having been a painter in my early years, the use of leading lines to help your viewer through the frame is crucial. The photographer did a great job of choosing a fairly symmetrical composition to lead me through the forest and down the path." - David Akoubian

Runner Up

"A beautiful capture of a waterfall, but the addition of the human being in the frame gives the viewer a different perspective because it adds size and depth. A stunning capture." - David Akoubian

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