Tom Hegen
Photographer Tom Hegen documents the traces that humans leave behind on the earth's surface in impressive aerial photographs. With precise image compositions, he provides fascinating insights into places where natural resources are extracted, processed and consumed. His works show the complex interplay between human activity and the resulting changes to the landscape. His work is characterised by abstract, often graphic perspectives of man-made landscapes.
Tom Hegen's works are presented in renowned solo and group exhibitions worldwide. His photographs have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the Red Dot Design Award, the International Photography Award and the German Design Award. He is also the author of three illustrated books: HABITAT (2018), AIRPORTS (2020) and SALT WORKS (2022).
Isabella Tabacchi
Isabella Tabacchi is an Italian landscape photographer capturing emotional, and dreamlike views of natural landscapes across the globe.
With a distinctive style that transforms landscapes into ethereal experiences, her work has been featured in several publications including National Geographic and has garnered multiple awards such as International Landscape Photographer of the Year (ILPOTY), the Moscow International Foto Awards (MIFA), the Siena Awards, Xposure Awards, and the DJI SkyPixel Annual Contest. Isabella loves to evoke profound emotions and meaning through the elements of nature in her photography. Her images invite viewers to see the natural world through a poetic vision that can evoke different feelings.
https://www.isabellatabacchi.com/
Joanna Steidle
Joanna Steidle was the winner of the first International Aerial Photographer of the Year award and, as such, she is invited to sit on the judging panel the following year.
Joanne describes herself as a drone photographer. That's it. She specialises in aerial photography. "This is important to me because it has now become a niche in the photography world. Flying is my passion, my first love in this journey and it is all I want to do. Specialising also adds business and marketing advantages. Plus, it is the clear path for me to create a meaningful legacy.
"I began flying drones in 2015. In 2017, I started a commercial drone business and by 2019, I realised aerial photography was where I most desired to improve my skills. I was 43 years old when the decision became clear and my life has never been the same.
"I had no prior photography experience. I basically grew up on a commercial clam boat, spending most summer days on the water or at the beach. This is where I grew a great love and respect for our oceans. And it's the ocean beaches where I spiritually connect and where I can literally see my smallness in this world. And now, at the age of 53, I still come home dirty and salty, every day."
It seems only natural for the ocean and wildlife to be Joanna's subject of choice. "To be honest, much of my inspiration comes from a spiritual connection. I enter a meditative state, letting go of as much analytical thought as possible, while maintaining safety precautions. This allows me to connect with Mother Nature and to capture intuitive compositions. My editing process stems from heart-centered awareness rather than technical rules alone. Athletes are also quite inspirational in my work as “chasing the shot” gives me great pleasure. Watching gymnastics, tennis, skiing, and polo always ignites my passion to fly."
To follow Joanna Steidle:
Website: https://joannasteidle.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/joannasteidle/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/joanna.steidle.96/
X: https://x.com/HamptonsDrone
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamptonsdrone/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hamptonsdroneart
Peter Eastway
CHAIRMAN OF JUDGES
FAIPP HonFAIPP GM Photog. PBII Hon FNZIPP MNZIPP
Peter Eastway is an Australian photographer known internationally for his landscape photography and creative use of post-production. A practising professional, he shoots editorially (mainly for Better Photography magazine) and works selectively in advertising and portraiture. Peter has been involved in photographic magazine publishing for over 40 years, establishing his own title, Australia's Better Photography Magazine, in 1995.
Peter’s work has been published and exhibited internationally. He was the author of the Lonely Planet’s Guide to Landscape Photography. His photography has featured on the cover of the Lonely Planet’s guide to Australia, in articles in the Qantas inflight magazine, and in an international Apple television commercial. He has worked closely with Canon, Adobe and Phase One.
He was one of the featured photographers in the Tales By Light television series aired on the National Geographic Channel in Australia and produced in partnership with Canon Australia. It can currently be viewed on Netflix.
Peter Eastway is a Grand Master of Photography, a Fellow and an Honorary Fellow of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography, and an Honorary Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography. He won the 1996 and 1998 AIPP Australian Professional Photographer of the Year Award. He is a WPPI Master of Photography.
He won the 2009 Kodak Award of Distinction at the international WPPI Print Competition held in Las Vegas, USA; the AIPP NSW Professional Photographer of the Year 2019 and the AIPP Australian Professional Nature Photographer of the Year 2019.
Peter’s early landscapes were primarily black and white, carefully printed and toned, but with the advent of digital photography, he has taken a leading role internationally, creating a New Tradition (the title of his book) of high quality imagery, and speaks about ‘invisible Photoshop’.
He is an ambassador for a number of international photography brands, including Canson, Eizo, Epson, Phase One, Wacom and Zenfolio.
Peter's role in the Awards is as chairman of the judging panel and he does not have any input on the judging process itself.
www.petereastway.com
www.betterphotography.com
www.betterphotographyeducation.com
