German photographer J. Fritz Rumpf has been crowned the 2025 International Landscape Photographer of the Year, earning the prestigious title with a stunning four-image portfolio that showcases the power of combining different camera technologies. His award-winning collection, selected from over 3,600 entries worldwide, demonstrates how DSLR, mirrorless, and drone systems can work together to create breathtaking landscape photography.
Rumpf's winning approach centers on what he calls "having a conversation with the landscape" before capturing any image. This philosophy emerged after hearing another photographer describe their pre-shoot ritual of communing with nature. "Spending all day in nature, marveling at its beauty, gives me a chance to have those conversations and connect more deeply with my surroundings," Rumpf explained. This meditative approach allows him to explore landscapes from multiple perspectives, from ground-level compositions to aerial views, each offering a different way to interpret the natural world.
The photographer's technical arsenal played a crucial role in bringing his artistic vision to life. For "Winter Meditations," a serene Norwegian fjord scene, Rumpf utilized the Nikon D850 DSLR paired with a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. The image was captured at 1/80 second, f/10, and ISO 2000, showcasing the D850's remarkable ability to handle challenging winter lighting conditions while maintaining exceptional detail in the frost-covered landscape.
Two images in the winning portfolio were created using the Nikon Z7 II mirrorless camera system. "River and Dunes," an abstract aerial view of flowing sand patterns in Brazil's Lençóis Maranhenses, was shot with the Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR lens at 1/12500 second, f/8, and ISO 2800. The second Z7 II image, "Whispers," captured the subtle curves of Death Valley's sand dunes using the Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens at 1/20 second, f/13, and ISO 800. The camera's 45.7MP full-frame sensor and 5-axis image stabilization system provided the precision needed for these intricate compositions.
The fourth winning image, "Storm Over Fields," demonstrates the capabilities of modern drone photography. Captured using the Hasselblad L2D-20c camera system integrated into DJI's Mavic 3 drone, this aerial perspective of Brazilian landscapes was shot at 1/120 second, f/2.8, and ISO 200. The L2D-20c's impressive 12.8 stops of dynamic range and adjustable aperture from f/2.8 to f/11 allowed Rumpf to capture the dramatic contrast between storm clouds and the vast green fields below.
Beyond the cameras themselves, Rumpf's technical setup includes carefully chosen support equipment. He relies on Manfrotto and FLM carbon fiber tripods for stability in challenging field conditions, paired with a Really Right Stuff BH40 ball head for precise positioning. His post-processing workflow combines Adobe Lightroom for primary adjustments, Photoshop for detailed spot removal and refined masking, and Topaz Labs software for sharpening and noise reduction. When focus stacking is required, Helicon Focus serves as his primary tool for combining multiple exposures.
The photographer emphasizes that while artistic vision drives the creative process, quality equipment remains essential for professional results. "There is no denying that good quality equipment is essential and makes a big difference," Rumpf noted. His winning portfolio perfectly illustrates this philosophy, showing how different camera systems can be strategically employed to capture the unique characteristics of various landscapes and lighting conditions.
Rumpf's award-winning images are now featured in the newly released International Landscape Photographer of the Year 2025 eBook, which showcases the Top 101 images from the competition along with expert commentary and detailed technical information. The complete collection, including an extended Top 202 online gallery, is available through the official ILPOTY website, providing inspiration and technical insights for photographers looking to elevate their own landscape work.
