Ghost Trees

Frans Lanting's Image

A river once flowed through this remarkable place in the dunes of Namibia, but it changed course.

The camelthorn trees that once flourished here are now just sculptural skeletons on a rock-hard clay pan. But backed by soaring dunes glowing with sunrise light, they are monuments to a time of abundance.

Behind the lens

Frans Lanting

Frans Lanting

The Netherlands

Over more than three decades Frans has set the standard for photographers. His images have been consistently original, characterised by signature eye-level perspectives and sophisticated lighting techniques. His many honours include the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award, a Fellowship to the Royal Photographic Society, Sweden’s Lennart Nilsson Award and The Netherlands’ highest conservation honour, the Royal Order of the Golden Ark.

Copyright in WPY competition photographs remains the property of the respective photographers. You may not copy, share, reproduce or republish the photographs except as expressly permitted by copyright law. For media image usage enquiries, please contact us.

More images from Frans Lanting

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Chimpanzee Winner

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