Bronze in Nature/Landscape / 2025 / Nature / Landscape

• Prize
  Bronze in Nature/Landscape
• Photographer
  Max Dobens, Spain
• Date of Photograph
  18 January 2025
• Studio
  Max Dobens Photography
• Website
  https://www.maxdobens.com
• Instagram
  https://www.instagram.com/maxdobens/

In January of this year I spent 7 days in the Faroe Islands and the weather was constantly rainy, very windy and overcast. When that happens, a good photographer seizes the moment making the best of the situation. Looking back, it was an amazing trip photographically because I ended up exploring black and white compositions. A good number of the images from the trip were simply more rich, full of contrast and told the story better. On the way to a waterfall shoot, I looked to my left and saw this fence and it connected with me. The clouds, the grass and the fence flowing off into infinity...

I create images because it makes me happy.

Photography transports me back to simpler times growing up in the peaceful and happy upstate town of Hamilton, NY. As a young boy, the abundance of wildlife and natural landscapes provided endless fascination.

Reflecting on select memories, I’ve come to see how my deep connection to nature has profoundly shaped my path as a visual artist. Today, I’m driven by a desire to share the breathtaking elegance and understated power of the natural world. For me, photography is more than just capturing images—it’s about honoring the artistry of nature itself.

Awards 2025

International Artistic Photography Awards - Winner - Black and White - "Rest Stop" - Los Angeles, CA, USA

Monochrome Photography Awards - Honorable Mention - Wildlife - "Rest Stop" - London, UK

BIPP (British Institute of Professional Photographers) Print Masters 2025 - Natural World Finalist​ - "Rest Stop" - Preston, UK

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Artist-in-Residence program for April 2026 - Finalist - Hawai'i, USA

10th CAMPINA 2025 International Exhibition of Photography, Monochrome Acceptance - "Depleted" - Bucharest, Romania

10th CAMPINA 2025 International Exhibition of Photography, Nature Acceptance - "Risk v. Reward" - Bucharest, Romania

10th CAMPINA 2025 International Exhibition of Photography, Nature Acceptance - "Rest Stop" - Bucharest, Romania

Budapest Foto Awards, Honorable Mention, Nature - Wildlife - "Hibernation Hustle" - Los Angeles, CA, USA

PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris, Honorable Mention / Nature / Wildlife​ - "Hibernation Hustle" - Paris, France

PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris, Honorable Mention / Nature / Landscape​ - "Black Sand Beach" - Paris, France

The London International Creative Competition - Official Selection - "Waiting to Drop" - London, UK

The 9th Annual ONYX International Exhibition of Photo - People - "Medina" - Bucharest, Romania

The 9th Annual ONYX International Exhibition of Photo - Travel - "Third Visit to Turnip Rock" - Bucharest, Romania

The 9th Annual ONYX International Exhibition of Photo - Nature - "Iberian Ibex" - Bucharest, Romania