This might look like abstract art \u2013 but it’s a real place, seen from above. Capturing high over Iceland’s remote highlands, Tree of Life transforms braided glacial rivers and mineral-rich streams into a striking, tree-like form, revealing a natural pattern invisible from the ground.<\/p>\n
The aerial photography, by Italian photographer Isabella Tabacci<\/a>, has just won First Place in AAP Magazine Issue #54: Nature, standing out among thousands of international entries for its revealing perspective and environmental storytelling.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The perspective turns the landscape into art, becoming almost a mythical symbol of nature’s resilience.<\/p>\n You may like<\/p>\n ‘Tree of Life’<\/p>\n “This is an aerial view of Iceland’s highlands, where braided glacial rivers and mineral-rich streams form a natural pattern resembling a glowing tree. Vibrant yellow-green branches spread across dark volcanic terrain, while a pale blue river curves like roots below. This rare formation shows nature’s artistry, where water, sediment, and light create a living symbol of Earth’s resilience.”<\/p>\n With Tree of Life, Tabacchi reinforces her reputation as a photographer who reveals nature not just as it looks \u2013 but as it feels.<\/p>\n Specializing in landscape and aerial photography, Tabacchi is known for transforming natural environments into dreamlike, painterly compositions. Her work explores scale, abstraction, and emotional resonance of place.<\/p>\n She earned accolades such as the prestigious International Landscape Photographer of the Year (ILPOTY) and the Moscow International Foto Awards (MIFA), Siena Awards, and was published in National Geographic.<\/p>\n AAP Magazine #54: Nature<\/p>\n The AAP Magazine #54: Nature edition highlights 25 outstanding photographers from 11 countries across three continents, presenting a powerful and contemporary version of the natural world through photography.<\/p>\n You can explore Tabacchi’s Tree of Life alongside the full selection of winning projects in the AAP Magazine #54: Nature. For this, visit the AAP Magazine website.<\/a><\/p>\n You might like…<\/p>\n Browse the best cameras for landscape photography<\/a>, the best lenses for landscapes<\/a>, and the best camera drones for aerial photography and video.<\/a><\/p>\n Looking for competitions to enter? Here are 10 global photo contests now open for entries from January to May.<\/a><\/p>\n