Mobile Photography Awards: Mesmerizing photos taken by winners, including bathing an elephant

It’s one thing for a photographer to show off his talent with the best cameras on the market. But the latest Mobile Photography Awards have once again proven just how versatile photographers can be in capturing awe-inspiring images using only their smartphones.

Judges of the prestigious annual competition, now in its 12th year, said the most recently submitted captivating images, ranging from black and white, landscapes, street photography and more, were among the best they’d ever seen.

Simply stunningly vivid shots of an elephant bathing, a driver passing a raging house fire and a breathtaking waterfall. This year’s MPA received photos from more than 80 countries, underlining the global reach of mobile photography in the modern age.

Established in 2011, the Toronto-based awards are held each year to celebrate the art and craft of mobile photography. This year, Australian Glenn Homann won a record number of entries with his portfolio described by MPA judges as ‘stunning’ and ‘breathtaking’. He takes home a cash prize of $3,000.

However, the talent didn’t stop there. The awards were divided into 12 categories, with Shulong Ma triumphing in the black and white category for a photo of an elephant being washed, shot with an iPhone 7.

Meanwhile, Fabio Sartori captured a close-up of a bug on his Samsung that won the Macro category, and a stunning photo of miners from the Ijen volcano in East Java, Indonesia took first place in the Travel/Transport section. Scroll down to see all the winners.

Australian photographer Glenn Homann, demonstrating his mastery of a variety of genres, was crowned the 12th Annual MPA Photographer of the Year. He called the piece above ‘John’

Homann's photos were described by the MPA judges as both 'stunning' and 'breathtaking' - who also admitted that this year's entries were among the best ever seen.  The piece above is called 'Stop, Reflect'

Homann’s photos were described by the MPA judges as both ‘stunning’ and ‘breathtaking’ – who also admitted that this year’s entries were among the best ever seen. The piece above is called ‘Stop, Reflect’

Homann's 'Toward the Light': Awards founder Daniel Berman said, 'Glenn's work really captures the essence of what mobile photography is all about: the ability to take stunning photos anytime, anywhere, using just a smartphone.'

Homann’s ‘Toward the Light’: Awards founder Daniel Berman said, ‘Glenn’s work really captures the essence of what mobile photography is all about: the ability to take stunning photos anytime, anywhere, using just a smartphone.’

Homann's

Homann hopes it will inspire others to explore the

Homann said he was “overwhelmed” with recognition for his amazing artwork. He hopes it will inspire others to explore the “endless possibilities of mobile photography.” ‘Cross Here’ is depicted on the left and ‘Eyeing Ibis’ on the right

'Washing Elephant, Chitwan': This mesmerizing photo was taken by Shuolong Ma using an iPhone 7. He won the Black & White category

‘Washing Elephant, Chitwan’: This mesmerizing photo was taken by Shuolong Ma using an iPhone 7. He won the Black & White category

Street photography winner 'Indifference' by Konstantin Chalabov

'Ijen Volcano Miners' Travel/Transport Winner by Chen Lin

Street Photography winner ‘Indifference’ by Konstantin Chalabov shows a driver passing a burning house (left), while Chen Lin’s ‘Miners of Ijen Volcano’ in Indonesia (right) won the Travel and Transportation category

'Eyes': Fabio Sartori captured an impressively detailed close-up of a bug on his Samsung phone that won the Macro category

‘Eyes’: Fabio Sartori captured an impressively detailed close-up of a bug on his Samsung phone that won the Macro category

Zhengjie Wu triumphed in the Landscapes category with their stunning 'Geocentric Exploration' photo showing a lone figure being struck by glorious rays of the sun

Zhengjie Wu triumphed in the Landscapes category with their stunning ‘Geocentric Exploration’ photo showing a lone figure being struck by glorious rays of the sun

Heather McAlister was the winner of Digital art/Visual FX at the 12th Annual MPA Awards.  Her piece was called 'Flight Pattern'

Heather McAlister was the winner of Digital art/Visual FX at the 12th Annual MPA Awards. Her piece was called ‘Flight Pattern’

Glenn Homann's artwork called 'Free'

Glenn Homann's artwork called 'The Other Side'

Homann showed his mastery of several genres, including portraiture, architecture and street photography. He titled the piece on the left as “Free,” adding, “Even an ‘ugly’ thing has a flickering, fleeting moment of radiant beauty.” On the right is ‘The Other Side’

The categories spread far and wide, with Yue Qiu taking the Silhouettes award for their impressive 'Heart of Water' photo

The categories spread far and wide, with Yue Qiu taking the Silhouettes award for their impressive ‘Heart of Water’ photo

Artificial intelligence winner 'Souls of the Ancient Sea Bed' by John Nieto

Dorota Yamadag won the prize for the best work of art in the Architecture category with a photo of skyscrapers called 'Steel.  Glass.  And all that hassle'

Artificial Intelligence winner ‘Souls of the Ancient Sea Bed’ by John Nieto is on the left, while Dorota Yamadag took the prize for best artwork in the Architecture category with a photo of skyscrapers called ‘Steel. Glass. And all that jazz’ (right)

Founded in 2011, the MPA celebrates the art and craftsmanship of mobile photography and recognizes talented smartphone photographers from around the world.  Pictured: Another of Homann's stunning shots called 'It Went Away'

Founded in 2011, the MPA celebrates the art and craftsmanship of mobile photography and recognizes talented smartphone photographers from around the world. Pictured: Another of Homann’s stunning shots called ‘It Went Away’

Portrait winner 'Old Mate' by Glenn Homann

'Nunset2' by Daniela Calo

Homann also took home the prize for best portrait with his piece ‘Old Mate’ (left), while the winner of the People’s ‘Nunset2’ (right) was Daniela Calo.

'The Scenery After the Rain': a simply stunning photo taken by Wang Hsiu Ling that won the Water/Snow/Ice category

‘The Scenery After the Rain’: a simply stunning photo taken by Wang Hsiu Ling that won the Water/Snow/Ice category

Mobile photographer Michel Kharoubi was crowned winner in the Darkness category for his artwork 'Spirit of the City'

Mobile photographer Michel Kharoubi was crowned winner in the Darkness category for his artwork ‘Spirit of the City’

A full collage of Glenn Homann's winning images.  The jury, made up of professional photographers and industry experts, had the challenging task of selecting the winners, but Homann came out on top

A full collage of Glenn Homann’s winning images. The jury, made up of professional photographers and industry experts, had the challenging task of selecting the winners, but Homann came out on top