amazing pictures

The only restriction on a photographer is the photographer s own imagination according to David Craik. This philosophy shines through in his photo of Starlings that had come to snatch the crumbs off his table at a coastal caf? in the United Kingdom. While a photo of birds may seem ordinary the compelling image Craik created is astonishingly unique. After the first bird landed and I saw the shadow on the white wall behind it he explained I knew this was a great image to be captured. Now it was just a case of operating the iPhone properly and finding the best composition. Craik s experience as a wildlife photographer showed him that you can rarely force a photo to happen. Patience is key and can pay off in enormously rewarding ways. Some may think I m mad he said but one of the most exciting things about wildlife photography is the waiting. His inspiration often comes from compositions shapes colors emotions and subjects he hasn t experienced before. He s also inspired by the work of other photographers. For him it s not about re creating the same images but rather imagining an entirely different photo that conveys the feeling he just experienced.

The winners of the 8th annual iPhone Photography Awards have been announced and wow are some of the shots absolutely stunning. Founded in 2007 soon after the iPhone first launched the awards looks to reward photographers who've ditched their camera in favour of the Apple smartphone. This year saw thousands of images submitted by iPhone photographers from 120 countries around the world. Winners are selected by jury members in a multi step process and The Photographers of the Year are then awarded. The three Photographers of the Year Awards this year go to Michal Koralewski of Poland David Craik of the United Kingdom and Yvonne Lu of the United States. The 1st 2nd and 3rd places in 19 categories were awarded to 57 photographers. "This year s entries were especially impressive ranging from intimate thought provoking moments to stunning captivating imagery " said IPPAWARDS creator Kenan Aktulun. "We d like to congratulate all of our winners who once again showed the ability of the iPhone to take astonishing photographs." And their prize? The three Photographer of the Year Award winners will receive an Apple Watch Sport. The first place winner in each category will be awarded a Gold Bar from the most recognisable private gold mint in the world.

You can find a striking moment when you least expect it if your eyes are open to it. Michal Koralweski came across one of those moments as he strolled through a market square in Warsaw and spotted an accordionist playing traditional Polish songs. As soon as he saw the bearded musician he knew he had to take the photo. His face was the first thing I noticed Koraweski says so expressive and beautiful in it s own way. It was like an open book. You could almost read his life story from the wrinkles. He was able to get the image he wanted without disturbing the rich atmosphere by snapping the shot with his iPhone. Koraweski who resides in the old and beautiful Polish city of Pozna? tries to pick up inspiration everywhere he goes. Even when he s walking the same streets every day he ll look for new angles intriguing lighting or distinct moods. He s also interested in using his art to illuminate the emotions of people around him. Although he s busy with two demanding jobs and three energetic children he keeps his eyes open and ready to find the next captivating image.

It s all about those unique and sometimes surprising moments along the journey for Yvonne Lu who captured a quiet yet captivating image of a couple on a train. She noticed the pair as she travelled along the Hudson Valley River on her way home to New York City. Lu was taken by the beauty of this scene just a few seats away from her own and silently snapped the shot. The couple she explains looks like they don t need anything else in the world. I also found the romantic vintage feel very entrancing. The two looked as if they could be coming back from a movie set. She relies on the iPhone to capture moments like these because it lets her take pictures quietly without disturbing her subjects. She also loves the ability to post her photos to social sites like Instagram and share them with the world instantly. Lu whose Chinese name is Yichieh is a Taiwan born fine arts photographer who currently resides in New York.

There are times when two disparate images like this natural setting and the woman in the blue robe come together to form a beautiful image. Ben Schuyler took this photo as part of a series called Come All Ye Saints. Born and bred in the Pacific Northwest Schuyler has reportedly spent his life drinking coffee hiking the Cascade Mountains and breathing in the salty air of the Puget Sound. He is currently traveling America to document life on the road for his project When the Road is Home an exploration of mobile living.

After more than 10 years as an advertising and commercial photographer Sephi Bergerson closed his studio in 2002 and moved to India with his wife and 10 month old baby girl to follow his dream to be a documentary photographer. Sephi s work has been featured in books and publications worldwide and has won international acclaim. His most inspiring photo projects address cultural and humanitarian issues from polio and HIV to rural development and education.

Originally from Bavaria Christian Frank is studying Interior and Products Design in Germany at the Academy of Arts in Stuttgart. This photo shows the central library of Stuttgart. You can often find photographers there trying to catch the beautiful light coming through the book shelves. On this evening I was able to bring together the light inner architecture and the best position.

Originally from Rochester New York Jeremy Kern is a hobbyist photographer and pediatric hospitalist at Children s National Medical Center in Washington DC. He lives in the DC area with his wife two daughters and their Golden Retriever Abby. Once a year Kern travels to a medical facility in rural Haiti with a group through Project MediShare. The group is composed of several physicians along with many nursing and medical students. It offers an educational opportunity to gain a better understanding of medical challenges outside of the United States. This particular photo was taken during during my third trip to Haiti in the Central Plateau outside of Thomonde where news of our arrival travels by word of mouth. On this particular day we were stationed in a cinder block schoolhouse. Gaps in the cinderblocks served as a window and allowed for light and ventilation. Families were already waiting at the makeshift clinic as we arrived. They will often spend the entire day there. Children who are waiting to be seen were peeking through the window curious to get a glimpse of the foreign doctor teams. I had been playing with them through the window most of the day and decided to take a picture. I pointed the camera which was at waist level and snapped. Although it took little planning I think it is a beautiful image of these inquisitive kids.

Amy Paterson is a 23 year old writer born and bred in Cape Town South Africa. She loves her home city and is constantly inspired by its natural beauty and the boundless creativity of the people who live in it. I took this photo at Silvermine Nature Reserve while surveying the charred aftermath of the fires that ravaged Cape Town in March of this year. These are proteas which is our national flower and a type of fynbos that has adapted to fire over millions of years. It s embraced fire as part of its ecology and many of these species would become extinct without it. Some only release seeds from their cones after fire and others are germinated through smoke stimulation.

This photo was taken in the middle of Yangtze River where people dry the fish they catch and transform them into delicious cuisine. Taking pictures is a daily routine to me?like a diary. I hope my pictures can let people see a different world.