EDITORS’ PICK
Great Mysteries
PLANET EARTH
PLANET EARTH EDITORS’ PICK
Following Corey Arnold’s selection of winning images for our recent Planet Earth competition, this compilation of 20 images represents some of the other talented photographers whose work struck us and left a mark. Each a stunning image worthy of exposure and attention…
When selecting for editor’s picks we’re always searching for those striking photographs that make for an unforgettable single image, whether from a broader series or not. We enjoy the accompanying text some photographers submit with their images, and while not always necessary it can be relevant when understanding the work in full context.
These are intended to be a conversation starter… so feel free to join the discussion on our social networks.
BANNER IMAGE: LIEVEN ENGELEN
Using scale to add drama and raise awareness on how much we depend on the ocean is a smart approach that shows not only good technical skills but also a deep involvement with the subject. The photographer put the visual elements to work, carefully constructing the frame to reveal the story. The approach is intentional and decisive, which reveals not only the value of what was in front of the camera but also the value of the one who stood behind it. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – From the series Children of the Sea, Ghana. From a young age the children that live along the coast in Ghana, also known as the Gold Coast because of it’s history in trading Gold and slaves, are drawn into the mysteries of the sea. With their worn clothes and ragged looks they follow into the footsteps of their fathers and learn the trade of catching fish the way their forebears did. Most of them can swim before they can walk or even talk. Reading the waves and learning about the tide as they go along. These are the children of the sea whose fate and future is closely tight and linked in with that of our Oceans. Their lifelihood depends on the health of these massive ecosystems. A disastrous catch will mean going to bed hungry and getting up hungry. It’s a hard life that is bestowed upon these children. A collapse of any of these ecosystems would spell and mean disaster and bring hardship for all of the communities that depend on it.
NICOLÒ EDOARDO PAIS
We all agree that Planet Earth is beautiful, but we have very different definitions of beauty. From these various definitions emerges the art of photography. This mundane scene has an impressive natural background, immediate composition, and a subject that not many photographers would look at twice. However, the beauty is there, in stillness, in silence, in the ordinary, in the soft contrast, in the maze of lines. Our planet provides all these and more. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Yangshuo, Guilin, China 2025
A thought that came to me in China was: “Will one day I tire of meticulously observing the beauty that surrounds me?” I didn’t find an answer, but I tried to understand what “beauty” means to me. No, it’s not just an aesthetic fact, it’s something more. I came to the conclusion—or so it would seem—that beauty is not light, but darkness. Only from darkness comes something so strong that it captures the light and, sometimes, our gaze.
Beauty holds a world behind it: it remains shy, asks no questions, and allows itself to be interpreted. Then it is you who gives it meaning; here, beauty becomes art.
ARTUR LEÃO
So dark, profound, and mystical! The photograph explores the spirituality of our Planet Earth, the deep connection between its geological features and our evolved psyche. The composition supports the message very well, luring the viewer into an even darker space, conveying both fear and the yearning to explore, to know a bit more, to take just another step and visit the next room. A black focal point is a challenge only a masterful photographer can take on. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Cold and silence, 2024, from the series Tunnels of Time.
In the land of my forefathers, I explore key sites related to speleology, searching for what Mircea Eliade describes as a religious experience of autochthony, focusing on analogies between the human psyche and geological matter. Following a strategy of time travel, I get lost in the labyrinths of the past, imagining the places of refuge and ritual of my past lives, in which geological formations also appear as metaphors for the configuration of the unconscious. A feeling of fascination and fear runs through my body as I explore these sacred spaces, a primitive urge for mystical participation.
This image was taken in the Caves of Mira de Aire. Hominids may have sought refuge and natural resources in underground galleries. Beautiful lagoons have formed as a result of limestone erosion caused by water, and it is believed that many rituals took place here.
DUSTIN (ZHONGKAI) WANG
Humanity has changed the face of Planet Earth, and we must acknowledge this fact. Photography is a good means to remind us of what we leave behind, our impact, and our responsibility. The photograph is beautifully constructed and meaningful, showing us that nature is resilient and finds a way to continue living, but, at the same time, it conveys the cold feeling of extensive industrialization and its overwhelming threat to our planet. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Where The Birds Still Fly. A dense fog envelops the financial district, momentarily dissolving the rigid structures of commerce into ethereal silhouettes. The usual urban cacophony yields to a profound silence. In this quiet void, a flock of birds charts its own course, their untamed flight a stark contrast to the grid-like world below. This moment captures the surreal intersection of the metropolis and the wild–a quiet reminder that even within the most imposing man-made systems, life and freedom find their own way through the spaces in between.
MELANIE CAMPEAU
Finding a unique subject matter doesn’t guarantee a good shot. It takes a curious photographer, eager to explore new perspectives and angles, daring to play with light, texture, and color, to do justice to that amazing subject matter and create a beautiful photograph. Take this one as an example, admire the courage to blur the foreground and the skill to produce a powerful focal point, even though it takes only a fraction of the frame. The majesty of the scenery would have been lost if not for this creative framing. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Into the Depths, Utah, US.
JAMES CONWAY
There is an art in simplicity, which is hard to achieve in photography, especially when photographing natural scenery. This image checks all the boxes in this regard: a simple and revealing composition, low contrast, reduced color palette, visually light focal point, and slight asymmetry. Nothing visually imposing, yet a story one wants to hear again and again, like the waves of the ocean. – LIFE FRAMER
ROXANNE BENNETT
A beautiful black and white capture of an untainted corner of nature, the photograph shows the connections, the flow of energy that keeps the entire ecosystem alive. By filling the frame with so many details and different textures, the photographer emphasizes the richness of our planet, the stories behind each twig, the vibrant life that surrounds us. It’s an energetic shot that makes the viewer’s heart beat a little bit faster. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – This image is from my university project Icene which followed the entire 26mile river Itchen in Hampshire looking at ways humans have impacted the river. This photograph is from the source of the river, still currently undamaged by humans, and was shot on a large format film camera.
ADI GONIK
There is a softness, warmth, and kindness to this image, and not only because it is a sunset shot. The photographer definitely saw more than a colorful background and suggestive silhouettes because the photograph captures the soul of the place and its inhabitants. The viewer can hear hearts beating, stories told in whispers, silent breaths, and even the passing of time and wants nothing more than to live peacefully. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Savannah Dawn.
ARGUS PAUL ESTABROOK
Shooting natural scenery in black and white is a courageous decision that allows the photographer to control the frame and better direct the viewer’s attention towards the points of interest. In the absence of color, texture takes the scene. And our planet has plenty of textures to show, from vegetation to clouds and rainbows: its bones, skin, and veins. – LIFE FRAMER
MÉLINA DELBERT
The photograph highlights the power of a leading line to create a story, a journey, an experience. The path leading to the turquoise waters is both a symbol and an amazing visual element. But everything in this shot is a superlative: the flowers’ ultra-saturated pink, the clash of textures, the mix of water and sky. It takes a mindful photographer not to be fooled by the exterior and capture the essence of this outstanding place. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – En chemin / On the way
FREDERIC MOUCHET
What an interesting take on bird photography! A high-key photograph that takes the viewer by surprise, both with subject and composition. The black and white aesthetic fits perfectly with the gracious dance of the birds. There is an undeniable dialogue between the birds, between the subject and the photographer, between the bright white and the mysterious black, a dialogue that keeps the viewer engaged for a long time. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – A group of Japanese cranes (Grus japonensis) in a clearing in Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, Hokkaido, Japan.
MUHAMMAD AMDAD HOSSAIN
Unfortunately, this is Planet Earth, too, and we are to blame for it. Photography will always be a medium for documenting the world, as this environmental portrait proves very well. The backlighting and the low shooting angle are to be commended because they enhance the story and put things in perspective, calling to action rather than to simple empathy. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Children of the Dump. In Halishahar, Chattogram in Bangladesh, children work in toxic waste dumps, collecting recyclables for meager wages. They risk their lives daily—breathing polluted air, touching hazardous materials, and sacrificing childhood for survival.
FLORENT GOY
The photographer reminds us that we came out of this world, as Alan Watts pointed out. By using analogous colors and turning down the contrast, the photographer artfully enhances the similarities. The color of our blood may be different, but we bleed nonetheless. The lengths of our vines may be different, but we have the same roots and reach for the same sky. A beautiful metaphor for our intertwined journey with nature. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Rooted Touch.
SEBASTIAN ZSEMLYE
Warm, bright summer colors fill this frame with joy. Interlacing textures, well-thought-out leading lines, and perfectly placed focal points keep the viewer captive in a whimsical world. Technically, the image is impeccable, sharp, clear, and harmonious. Storytelling-wise, it has the familiar vibe of the countryside, but at the same time, it makes you expect to hear the tractors speak at any point. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Marghita, Bihor County, Romania. Harvest season, July, 2025
I pulled over on the side of the road — just barely on the legal side — because I couldn’t ignore this scene. Two tractors cutting slowly through layers of gold and green, under clouds that looked almost too perfect to be real. A quiet moment in the middle of nowhere, where time seemed to slow down just enough for me to notice.
AUDREY TIERNAN
It’s not easy to create an abstract photograph using a natural subject matter, but this photographer did it masterfully. Instead of seeing the obvious, the photographer saw the geometry, the layers of different textures, and the contrast. It shows that Planet Earth is older than geometry and everything else humans could think of. It also shows that we have gotten so used to our planet that we barely notice its grandiose appearance. That’s why we are always happy to have photographers remind us. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Trees lined up like soldiers stands out against a field blanketed in snow at a Nursery in Manorville, Long Island, US.
QUIRIEN DE LEEUW
Planet Earth is an artist, and this picture proves it. The discrete shades of green and blue are dashingly interrupted by a splash of red, a single poppy that changes everything. Although small, the focal point is mighty, underlining the photographer’s skill in balancing visual weights and creating interesting compositions with a minimal number of elements. The story is there, told by a red flower in a green field. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Cornfield. Wallonia, Belgium.
ALEJANDRO OLIVERA
Because our planet is so generous in terms of subject matter for photography, many photographers turn their lenses to its natural beauty. As a result, finding the subject matter is not the biggest challenge a photographer faces. Coming up with new angles and interesting compositions, however, is. This photograph features a superb waterfall but wouldn’t have been so good without the photographer’s sense for geometry, proportions and aesthetics. Using diagonal leading lines, mixing textures, and taking out color were all smart choices. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Best seat in planet’s house.
ENIKŐ BARNA
The planet holds what nature creates and what humans build. However, at a closer look, everything human-made is also made from natural resources, such as clay, rock, minerals, sand, and water. These cascading brick facades with their straight lines and rigid shapes contrast nature’s fluid forms and spirals, reminding us of our ambitious ego that aims to rise above the land that feeds us. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – ZigZag.
DANIEL TAVEIRA
Amazon, the lungs of our planet… What a heartbreaking metaphor this image is, highlighting not only what we’ve done to our ancestors but also what we do to our future generations. This is a fascinating photograph built in a dramatic way to support a dramatic story. Everything blends in smoothly to raise awareness and call to action before it’s too late. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Hydrophilic, from the series Anthropogenic.
Anthropogenic is the consequence of past actions resulting in the constant climate changes of the present, defining our uncertain future. Being a Brazilian and have lived where the Amazon starts, my heart knows the value of this “lung of the world”. Anthropogenic is a tool to make people aware about the importance of the environment. The photograph portraits an indigenous Brazilian woman in a dust storm, extracting pure oxygen from small plants. The photograph was taken in an arid region of Brazil, where some ethnic groups live. This region is located where the Amazon starts. Anthropogenic means effects, processes, objects, or materials that are derived from human activities, as opposed to those occurring in natural environments without human influences. It is directly related to climate change, to impact people in a visually dramatic, futuristic and apocalyptic way.
PEDRO POVEDA
The rule of thirds works magic for the vast sceneries of our planet. Perfectly aligned, artfully composed, featuring just the few elements it needs to be impactful and intense, the image showcases the photographer’s ability to notice visual elements above complete landscapes. The use of light is also exquisite and adds value to the overall composition. The image proves that all it takes to create a masterpiece is to imagine it before pressing the shutter release. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Sailing. Perth, Australia.
