The beauty of nature's phenomena never ceases to amaze, and this year's Weather Photographer of the Year Competition proves it! The Royal Meteorological Society's announcement reveals a stunning winner.
Sponsored by Standard Chartered, this prestigious contest has reached its 10th anniversary, attracting over 4,000 entries from across the globe. Imagine the challenge of selecting winners from such a vast collection of breathtaking images!
But the judges, an international panel of experts, were up for the task. They chose a remarkable photo as the grand prize winner: a complete circular rainbow captured by a pair of Chinese photographers.
Here's where it gets fascinating: Geshuang Chen, an engineer and astronomy photographer, shares the story behind the shot. He flew his drone high above Lugu Lake, through the rain, with the sun at his back, and captured this rare phenomenon. Full-circle rainbows are a sight to behold, and this image showcases it perfectly, with a small island centered within the rainbow's arc.
Rainbows are formed by the bending and reflection of sunlight in raindrops, creating a spectrum of colors. But to see a full circle, you need the right conditions—a high viewpoint, the sun behind, and rain ahead. And this is the part most people miss—every rainbow is unique to the observer's position!
The competition also showcased other awe-inspiring moments. Runner-up Jadwiga Piasecka braved the powerful Storm Eunice in the UK, capturing the immense waves crashing against the sea wall. Her passion for storms and waves shines through in her work.
Another standout entry was by Lukáš Gallo, who serendipitously captured rare Kelvin-Helmholtz wave clouds while driving in Czechia. These clouds, formed by wind shear, resemble breaking ocean waves, offering a stunning visual spectacle.
The mobile category winner transports us to Inle Lake in Myanmar, where a dramatic downpour adds urgency to the scene. The motion blur of fishermen and raindrops makes us feel the intensity of the storm.
These photographs not only showcase the beauty of weather but also remind us of nature's power and unpredictability. Do you think photography can truly capture the essence of such phenomena? Share your thoughts and keep exploring the wonders of the natural world!
