The 9th iPhone Photography Awards (IPPAWARDS) announced its winners and honored the photographers whose work shows that you don't need an expensive camera to take gorgeous pictures. The winning photographs have been posted on the IPPA website, offering a look at some of the best photos captured on an iPhone in the past year.

As in previous years, the photos depict a range of subjects, from people to landscapes to animals. This year’s winners were selected from thousands of entries submitted by iPhone photographers from 139 countries around the world.

Grand Prize Winner, Photographer of the Year was Siyuan Niu from Xinjiang, China

Man and the Eagle

“The brave and wise Khalkhas live along the mountains in the south of Xinjiang and are companions with the eagles. They regard eagles as their children and train them for many years to hunt. This 70 year old man is rigid and solemn in front of family and friends, but when he is with his beloved eagle, the corner of his mouth would curve up. When the eagles reach mating age, although he is very reluctant, the man releases the eagles back into nature so that they can thrive. A mild heart and exquisite love are covered by his weather-beaten face. He is a tough man with a tender heart.”

The First place, Photographer of the Year was won by Patryk Kuleta from Warsaw, Poland

Modern Cathedrals

“Most of my shots come from Warsaw and one from Strasbourg. The idea was to make it more impressionistic, to show architecture in a completely different way that combines my background in graphic design and painting.”

2nd Place, Photographer of the Year was won by Robin Robertis from Carlsbad CA, United States

She Bends with the Wind

“I was on a iPhone workshop and reunion with a friend and teacher in Cape Cod. We all went out to photograph the the perfect sunset. I tend to bring a few things when I travel, one being this wonderful red umbrella. When others shoot the sunsets and beautiful scenery, I like to photograph some human aspects in these scenes.”

3rd Place, Photographer of the Year was won by Carolyn Mara Borlenghi from Coral Gables FL, United States

Wonderland

“This image was taken as part of a series I did for instagram’s #WHPwonderland. Each weekend when the hashtag project comes out I try to come up with an idea and this particular weekend, the weekend before Christmas, was wonderland. For this one I went on a little adventure with my son to the beach and we wore the reindeer masks.”

The Prizes

The Grand Prize Winner Photographer of the Year Award winner receives an iPad Pro. The First, Second and Third Place Photographer of the Year Award winners will each receive an Apple Watch Sport. The first place winner in each category will be awarded a Gold Bar and the Second and Third place winners will each get a Palladium Bar from the most recognizable private gold mint in the world.

The site is already accepting entries for the 2017 competition. So, if you are an iPhone user and have an eye for beauty, this may be your chance to get famous.

Article and Image source: ippawards.com

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