Travel Award Editors’ Picks of August 2022

“One’s destination is never a place, but rather a new way of looking at things.” – Henry Miller

Following the results of the 2022 Travel photography award, judged by internationally acclaimed photographer Steve McCurry, the editorial team is pleased to share some of the competition entries that didn’t make it to the final selection but nevertheless, showed extraordinary creativity and skill.

Breathtaking natural landscapes, candid street scenes, deeply absorbing portraiture and more, the submissions we received represented the full spectrum of photography and almost every corner of the planet. Unfortunately, we couldn’t give an award to every entrant, but we are honored to share this selection of captivating images, all of which made a lasting impression, and we believe, are well worthy of exposure.

Travel comes in many forms, and this incredible range of stunning and inspiring work stands as testimony – Thanks again to all of you who took part in the award and shared your beautiful images with us!

“Candle maker” - Namo Buddha, Nepal
Candle maker making butter candles from liquid wax. © Patrizia Cali
“A Gentle Nudge” - Sahara Desert, Morocco
A young Berber boy gently nudges a baby camel to keep up with its mother as they head back to camp. The mothers’ long legs carry her swiftly and silently across the sand. The boy at times struggles to keep up with the mother. © Mili Lacmanovic
“Nature worship” - Amazonia, Brazil
For the Huaorani, their custodianship of the jungle and the enormous trees is ingrained in their psyche and part of their lives. Once a week, groups of warriors will roam the jungle and check on these giants (some of which are over 100ft tall) to ensure they are standing and not illegally felled by the various companies encroaching on their territory © Marios Forsos
“Just below the cloud” - Larung Gar, Tibet
The bare minimum of small red wooden houses for Tibetan Buddhist monks are spread out on the slopes of a mountain at an altitude of about 4,000 meters. Chanting Buddhist sutra can always be heard from somewhere just below the clouds. © Shinya Itahana
“Boats in Fenghuang” - Hunan China,
Fenghuang (Phoenix) Ancient City, in western Hunan Province of China, stood frozen in time with narrow stone-paved alleys, Ming and Qing Dynasty architectural styles, old bridges, and houses built on stilts. Legend has it that two phoenixes, symbolizing immortality and good omen for the Chinese, flew over the town and found it so beautiful they were reluctant to leave. © Beatrice Wong
“Queuing for Fares” - Kolkata, India
A cab driver reading the paper in his cab while sitting in the taxi queue in Kolkata, India. © David Keith Brown
“A life attached to the oar” - Venice, Italy
Rudi Vignotto (in the picture) is the King of the Venice Historical Regatta who has won for the past 17 years, the last together with his son Mattia. The Regatta is an event that celebrates the ancient glory of the Serenissima and that traditionally happens on the first Sunday of September. As a child, Rudi dreamed of being a cyclist, a passion which, however, was immediately interrupted for logistical reasons. In fact, on the small island where he was born and raised, there were no paved roads. However, there was no lack of water, and his desire to compete soon led him to compete in regattas. © Mauro De Bettio
“Walking with Giants” - Dolomites, Italy
The view captures the imposing face of Langkofel mountain, lit up from breaks in the dramatic cloud cover above. The scale of the mountains in the Dolomites are hard to comprehend until you see them in person, as they sharply rise from the rolling valleys below. © Joe Clarke
“Mela in Allahabad” - Allahabad, India
Portrait of a young participant in Mela in city of Aaaahabad. The Allahabad Kumbh Mela, also Prayag Kumbh Mela, is a mela, or religious gathering, associated with Hinduism and held in the city of Allahabad, India, at the Prayag or Triveni Sangam—which represents the confluence of three rivers two of which, the Ganges (also Ganga) and the Yamuna, have objective existence, and one, the Sarasvati is mythical. © James Levison
“Perspective” - Agra, India
The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the right bank of the river Yamuna in the Indian city of Agra. Pradesh © Pauline Beretz
“Back home” - Manchar lake, Pakistan
On the Manchar lake, in the Sindh region of Pakistan, an elder from the Mohana ethnic group is navigating back to his boat-house after having set some fishing nets. © Gauthier Digoutte
“Thousand Stars” - Rajasthan, India
Camel rider in starry evening at Dusk in the desert of Rajasthan © Florian Delalee
“A Job Well Done” - Northern Vietnam
A rice farmer jovially calls out to her fellow workers as the wrap up their day, the sunset igniting the hazy valleys of Northern Vietnam. © Ben Glassco
“Life around Mayon” - Philippines
Mayon, also known as Mount Mayon and Mayon Volcano, is an active stratovolcano in the province of Albay in Bicol Region, on the island of Luzon in the Philippines © Vladimir Karamazov
“The Hill” - Iceland
Let’s not forget the place of man at the heart of a powerful nature. We are guests only. © François Mille

Published September 19, 2022 - Congratulations to all selected artists: Patrizia Cali, Mili Lacmanovic, Marios Forsos, Shinya Itahana, Beatrice Wong, David Keith Brown, Mauro De Bettio, Joe Clarke, James Levison, Pauline Beretz, Gauthier Digoutte, Florian Delalee, Ben Glassco, Vladimir Karamazov, François Mille,

fashion fine art studio portrait of woman by Ivana Sunjic

2025 Portrait AWARD

Win $2700 Cash Awards & International Exposure

Can you tell a story with a single glance? – in May, we invite all photographers to share portraits that narrate compelling tales, whether captured in the controlled environment of a studio, the vibrant chaos of the street, or the rich landscapes of travel.

Win $2700 in Cash Prizes
International Exhibition
+870k Instagram Feature
Free Online Portfolio

ENTER COMPETITION
Final Deadline: 31 May 2025

Call for entries

Win $2700 Cash Awards & International Exposure

Recent Articles

More Articles

Win $2700 Cash Awards & International Exposure

Recent Articles

Mark Cohen – Tall Socks

Color Photography Award

Vietnam In 10 Iconic Images

More Articles

Morocco in 10 iconic images

Mitch Epstein – In India

Catching the eye: tips for photographers