Landscape nominee

These spectacular terraces cascade down the slopes of the towering Ailao Mountains to the banks of the Hong River. The terraces rise by 3,000 steps at varying angles from a shallow 15 degrees to a steep 75 degrees, forming a magnificent landscape that is rare both at home and abroad .The Hani people first came to the steep mountains some 2,500 years ago. They struggled against the difficult terrain, successfully establishing the terraces, where they grew rice in order to make a living.

I have captured these images in the past 2 years and was very exciting to got the perfect light and mood created by the fog

Thierry Bornier, a French photographer specializing in Chinese landscapes, hasn’t followed a traditional path in the photography industry.

With an MBA in finance, he started his working life as Chief Financial Officer for an international fashion company in New York. From 2001 to 2008 he worked in finance, but soon realized that number crunching did not satisfy his thirst for natural beauty. In 2008 he decided to make a big career change, and see what his life would become if he did something he truly loved, he decided to become a photographer. From that time in 2008, he has never lost his desire and enthusiasm for his new work.

Entirely self-taught as a photographer, his passion has evolved into a desire to capture the moment of truth in the dual avenues of high fashion and landscape.