Photographer of the year winner: On the river, by Vladimir Proshin
Chinese fishermen on the Ou river close to the city of Lishui – whose name means Beautiful Water. ‘I took this in 2013 during a photo tour for the 15th China International Photographic Art Exhibition, run by the Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique and China Photographers Association, where it won the gold medal.’
• All photographs Siena International Photography Awards Contest/shown in The Guardian
Nature: Lake Bogoria, by Franco Cappellari
‘These saline shallows are in the northern region of the Kenyan rift valley, a superb landscape of hills with dry bushes, grassland and riverine forests framing the calm water populated by millions of flamingoes.’
Nature winner: Showtime, by Hasan Baglar
‘When mantises are afraid of something, they raise their arms and spread their wings. It’s their normal defensive behaviour. To take the picture I attempted to touch them and this is how they reacted, opening their wings. They look like smiling ballet dancers.’
Travel: Sunrise at the Great Wall of China, by Joseph Tam
‘Where I was standing is the hardest part of the Great Wall to reach without special climbing gear. This image captures the wall’s timeless magnificence as a true celebration of mankind and a reflection of the rising dragon that is China and its place in the world order.’
Nature: Descent to Rivendell, by Enrico Fossati
‘During a violent thunderstorm in France’s Haute Savoie, I took refuge inside a big cave in the mountain. From the inside I was able to capture this dangerous but fascinating summer storm. The quick movement of the clouds gave me only a few chances to shoot the scene in good conditions before they descended, bringing down the curtain. The title was inspired by a John Howe illustration for The Hobbit.’
