Majestic Icelandic Volcano Eruption Takes Center Stage in International Landscape Competition

by Jessica Miller

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Shelf	Cameras & Lenses
Date in	Sep 18, 2025
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Matteo Strassera's stunning photograph of the Litli-Hrutur volcano eruption in Iceland wins the Landscape category in the latest Amateur Photographer competition.

Majestic Icelandic Volcano Eruption Takes Center Stage in International Landscape Competition

The fourth round of the renowned International Amateur Photographer of the Year 2025 competition has concluded, bringing us remarkable landscape imagery from across the globe. The standout winner in the Landscape category is Matteo Strassera, whose breathtaking photograph titled ‘New day, new land’ takes us to the heart of an erupting volcano in Iceland. Meanwhile, Hary Hammad secured victory in the Young APOY division, showcasing the talents of budding photographers. Let’s explore the top ten images from this round, along with insights from the judging panel and technical details from each entry.

international amateur photographer of the year leaderboard after round four landscapes

International Amateur Photographer of the Year 2025: Landscape Winner

New day, new land by Matteo Strassera, Italy, 100pts

Camera: DJI Mavic 3 | Lens: 24mm-equivalent | Exposure: 1/50 sec at f/8, ISO 100

volcano eruption aerial shot — Image: Matteo Strassera

Strassera’s winning photo captures a stunning sunrise over the Litli-Hrutur volcano, with fissures opening in the earth and lava flowing in a dynamic, diagonal trajectory across the frame. His mastery of composition is evident, allowing soft rays of sunlight to filter behind the volcano and prevent harsh highlights while emphasizing the contrast between fiery oranges and deep blacks. Each detail is crisply rendered, presenting a moment that showcases nature's raw power.

Runner-Up Contributions

2. Pine Island, Connemara by Ryszard Lomnicki, Ireland, 90pts

Camera: Sony A7R Mark III | Lens: 12-24mm | Exposure: 120 sec at f/11, ISO 100 | Filters: Haida Red-Diamond ND3.0 and GND0.9

long exposure landscape photo of orange sky behind pine trees — Image: Ryszard Lomnicki

Lomnicki employs long exposure paired with ND filters, producing a spectacular eruption of color as illuminated clouds swirl dramatically behind resilient pine trees. The balanced composition draws the viewer’s eye across the frame, culminating in a serene area of blue where the sky meets land.

3. Sassi di Matera by Colin Griffiths, 80pts

Camera: Nikon D800 | Lens: 70-200mm | ISO 100

historic buildings on a rock formation — Image: Colin Griffiths

This image illustrates the beauty of the Sassi di Matera, with Griffiths capturing the unique houses carved into rocks during a period of transformative light. The balance between natural and artificial illumination creates depth, while the exposure ensures every detail is captured perfectly, telling the story of human habitation in a compelling way.

4. Cast adrift by John Seager, UK, 70pts

Camera: Canon EOS R5 | Lens: 24-105mm at 32mm | Exposure: 1/320 sec at f/11, ISO 100

ship-shaped rock formation in the landscape — Image: John Seager

John Seager’s photograph captures the essence of what landscape photography can reveal. The image’s emotional depth is heightened by its intricate details and meticulous use of light. The sky creates a dramatic backdrop that resonates with viewers, prompting them to linger over the complexities within the composition.

5. Alpine pasture, Alpe di Siusi by Tim Burgess, UK, 60pts

Camera: Sony A7R Mark IV | Lens: 24-105mm at 37mm | Exposure: 1/25 sec at f/16, ISO 80

Alpine pasture in Italy’s Dolomites — Image: Tim Burgess

Burgess transports us to a picturesque Alpine pasture, skillfully managing the interplay of mist and light to create a sense of depth. The rolling hills and grasslands are aesthetically pleasing and showcase the geographic beauty of the Dolomites.

6. Perfect storm by Bircan Harper, UK, 50pts

Camera: Nikon Z9 | Lens: 100-400mm at 100mm | Exposure: 1/1600 sec at f/4.5, ISO 640

landscape with cheetah silhouette at sunset — Image: Bircan Harper

This captivating hybrid shot combines landscape and wildlife seamlessly, as the silhouette of a cheetah adds life and context to a stunning sunset scene. Strategically placed along the intersecting thirds, the cheetah captures the viewer’s attention, highlighting the interplay of nature’s most delicate moments.

7. Forest giant, Borneo by Steve Taylor, UK, 45pts

Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark III | Lens: 300mm | Exposure: 1/400 sec at f/14, ISO 320

photo from above of trees amongst clouds — Image: Steve Taylor

Taylor's image evokes the subtle beauty of Japanese ink paintings through its minimalistic and elegant composition. With dark silhouettes of trees against a delicate backdrop, the photograph rewards the viewer with its serene quality.

8. Baobab Road by John Seager, UK, 0pts

Camera: DJI Mini 3 | Lens: 24mm-equivalent | Exposure: 1/400 sec at f/1.7, ISO 100

Offering a fresh perspective on the famous avenue of baobab trees in Madagascar, this drone shot emphasizes scale and beauty. The harmonious blend of evening light and shadows enhances the image, bringing the trees to life.

9. All roads lead to Rum by Mark Hetherington, UK, 35pts

Camera: Sony A7 Mark I | Lens: 16-35mm at 17mm | Exposure: 5 sec at f/11, ISO 100

rush of water leading to island of Rum — Image: Mark Hetherington

Hetherington’s use of an ultra-wide focal length and a five-second exposure dramatically conveys the rush of water, leading us toward the distant island of Rum. The careful processing reflects the natural colors of the Scottish landscape.

10. Curlew and castle by Rachel Riley, UK, 30pts

Camera: Canon EOS 90D | Lens: 150-600mm at 450mm | Exposure: 1/1600 sec at f/7.1, ISO 100

curlew in still lake with castle in background — Image: Rachel Riley

Riley’s shot also intertwines landscape with wildlife. By focusing intently on the curlew and allowing the distant castle to fall softly out of focus, she creates an image that juxtaposes nature with human architecture while remaining visually captivating.

International Young Amateur Photographer of the Year 2025: Winner

The orange landscape by Hary Hammad, Pakistan, 100pts

Camera: Unknown

aerial photo of single road in orange tree landscape — Image: Hary Hammad

Hammad’s winning entry features warm autumnal tones of trees complemented by a vibrant orange sky. The intriguing low-lying clouds contribute depth and texture, providing a captivating contrast that enriches the overall composition.

Camera Club Highlights

This round of the competition also showcased stunning entries from various camera clubs.

Hverfjall volcanic crater, Iceland by Mike Morley, Harrogate Photographic Society

Camera: DJI Mini 3 Pro | Lens: 24mm-equiv | Exposure: 1/2500 sec at f/1.7, ISO 100

Hverfjall volcanic crater from above — Image: Mike Morley

Morley's aerial shot of the Hverfjall volcanic crater reveals an other-worldly landscape, filled with atmospheric depth.

Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye by Janet Miles, Mid-Somerset Camera Club

Camera: Olympus E-M1 Mark II | Lens: 12-100mm at 12mm | Exposure: 24 sec at f/10, ISO 64

With a super-wide viewpoint, Miles captures the enchanting dynamics of the famed Fairy Pools, bringing an energetic feel to the scene.

Sunrise reflection, Loch Leven by Mark Constable, Derby City Photographic Club

Camera: Nikon D850 | Lens: 24-70mm at 32mm | Exposure: 25 sec at f/16, ISO 64

loch leven blue hour purple sky photo — Image: Mark Constable

Constable's photograph, replete with beautiful colors and immaculate reflections, is an excellent example of long exposure techniques.

Clouds and mountains by Lynn Pascoe, Truro Camera Club

Camera: Sony A1 | Lens: 24-105mm at 105mm | Exposure: 1/250 sec at f/8, ISO 100

misty mountain landscape — Image: Lynn Pascoe

Pascoe’s black and white conversion of layered clouds and mountains exemplifies thoughtful composition, capturing the ethereal atmosphere beautifully.

The start of the holiday by Wendy Mountford, Plymouth Camera Club

Camera: Fujifilm X-T3 | Lens: 18-135mm at 83mm | Exposure: 1/500 sec at f/11, ISO 500

minimal beach sandy landscape with a few groups of people dotted around — Image: Wendy Mountford

Mountford captures a minimalistic beach scene that balances the human presence with the expansive landscape, creating a compelling narrative.

Competition Leaderboard Insights

The leaderboard has undergone some interesting changes. Strassera's win pushes him into joint second place overall, sharing the spotlight due to his extraordinary volcano photograph. In the Young APOY division, Hary Hammad leaps to the top spot, a testament to how swiftly fortunes can change in this thrilling competition.

Gear Highlights from the Top Ten

Insights into the photographic equipment used by the top photographers provide perspective on their achievements.

In fourth place, John Seager favored the Canon RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM, known for its compact size and impressive five-stop shake compensation, retailing for £399 at Camera Centre UK.

Canon RF 24-105 mm F4-7.1 IS STM lens — The Canon RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM offers versatility for various shooting conditions. Image credit: Rod Lawton

Fifth-place Tim Burgess utilized the Sony A7R IV, featuring a remarkable 61MP sensor and fast continuous shooting. This excellent camera is priced at £2,249 at Camera Centre UK.

Sony FE 16-35mm F4 G in hand on Sony A7R IV — The Sony A7R IV is praised for its outstanding detail and high ISO performance.

In the final spot, Rachel Riley turned to the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 C Contemporary DG OS HSM, a robust lens that offers weather resistance and an extensive zoom range for £894 at Camera Centre UK.

For further exploration, visit www.cameracentreuk.com.