19 of the most beautiful photos of Russia
The Russian Geographical Society's ‘The Most Beautiful Country’ photo contest has been held since 2015. Both professional photographers and amateurs from any country in the world can participate. The main condition is that all photos must be taken in Russia.
And here are the winners in the main categories:
1) Alexander Lavrentyev, Moscow Region. ‘Mysterious Arches of Simushir Island’ (Landscape category).
2) Vyacheslav Zamentya, St. Petersburg. ‘White Song of the Chikhachev Ridge’ (Wild Animals). This photo also received the Audience Choice Award.
3) Daniil Silantyev, Chelyabinsk. ‘Mysterious Forest’ (Best Desktop Wallpaper).
4) Alexander Pashenichev, Leningrad Region. ‘Morning Fairy Tale over a Spruce Forest’ (Magic of the Elements).
5) Natalia Privalenko, Moscow. ‘The Tree is Watching You’ (Birds).
6) Igor Zhabsky, Primorsky Krai. ‘Sad Seal’ (Wildlife Art [Art Photo]).
7) Olga Papina, Volgograd. ‘Grandma Nadya and Her Cats’ (The Faces of Russia).
8) Yury Podgrushny, Rostov Region. ‘Jumping Spider on a Rose Petal’ (Macro World).
9) Maria Tyuryukhanova, St. Petersburg. ‘Island of White Dogs’ (Shot on a Smartphone).
10) Vladimir Palchik, St. Petersburg. He compared the past and present appearance of the Novotorzhsky Borisoglebsky Monastery (Living Archive).
11) Ruslan Kondratenko, St. Petersburg. ‘St. Isaac's Cathedral and St. Catherine's Church’ (180 Wonders).
Special Prizes:
12) Anatoly Shishkin, Moscow Region. ‘Kamchatka Beringian Ground Squirrel’ (Protected Russia).
13) Yury Smityuk, Vladivostok. ‘I Am the Night Itself’ (Shot on a Camera Trap).
14) Pavel Ivshin, St. Petersburg. ‘Turquoise’ (Natural Art Object).
15) Galina Gorshenina, Moscow. ‘The Eye’ (Amazing Places).
Child Photographers:
16) Sergey Telnyuk, Voronezh. ‘Foggy Morning’ (Landscape)
17) Ivan Gorshkov, Kaluga Region, ‘The Strike’ (Animal World).
18) Denis Pronin, Orel. ‘In the Coral Kingdom’ (Macro World).
19) Anastasia Asadullina, Amur Region. ‘Through the Prism of Ice’ (Natural Phenomena).