Landscape nominee

My wife and I were traveling through the beautiful country of Iceland in search of beautiful landscapes and sunshine. It rained every day, it was dark and grey, but beautiful nonetheless. We got to the well known Seljalandsfoss and I didn't feel inspired as the angle and the view had been photographed by many. I sat there for a while when I happened to spot these hooded figures walking across the fall and was fortunate to snap this picture just as they crossed. Later, in processing the image, I serendipitously found the image of the small boy on the other side, as if beckoning the hooded figures to follow him into the dark labyrinth.

Sarfraz Durrani, known as Surf Durrani, is a fine art photographer based in McLean, Virginia. Drawing inspiration from the shifting patterns of light, atmosphere, and perspective, he creates contemplative imagery that reveals beauty in both grand vistas and quiet details. His work often combines a clean, minimal aesthetic with a strong sense of mood, inviting viewers into scenes that feel at once distant and deeply familiar.

Specializing in landscape and aerial photography, Sarfraz is particularly drawn to graphic compositions, subtle tonal ranges, and the abstract qualities of the natural world. His photographs seek to balance precision and emotion, transforming everyday environments into poetic visual narratives.

Sarfraz’s work has been shortlisted for International Travel Photographer of the Year (ITPOTY), Monochrome Awards, Fine Art Photography Awards, and Aerial Photographer of the Year 2025. His images have also been featured on platforms such as Behance, PetaPixel/Phoblographer (adjust as needed), and This Is Colossal, reaching a global audience of photography enthusiasts and art lovers.

Through his ongoing projects, @SurfDurrani continues to explore the ways in which place, memory, and light intersect—always searching for that quiet, timeless moment within the frame.