Fine art photography is all about creating the fantastic… the epic… the impossible. It’s a genre where art takes precedence over “pure photography” (sorry Nikon), Photoshop is a common ally, and a photographer’s imagination can run wild.

Each of the Top 10 Fine Art Photos of 2014 on 500px exemplify this creative freedom in one way or another. Impossible compositions come together with the help of post-production, magical worlds come to life, and powerful social messages are delivered at the click of a shutter.

Photograph A world that used to be by Caras Ionut on 500px

A world that used to be by Caras Ionut on 500px

Photograph To the Threshold of Silence by Karezoid Michal Karcz on 500px

To the Threshold of Silence by Karezoid Michal Karcz on 500px

Photograph Oooops ! by Jørn Allan Pedersen on 500px

Oooops ! by Jørn Allan Pedersen on 500px

Photograph *** by oprisco on 500px

*** by oprisco on 500px

Photograph The view from a Leaf by Kobi Refaeli on 500px

The view from a Leaf by Kobi Refaeli on 500px

Photograph Search of Light by Josep Sumalla on 500px

Search of Light by Josep Sumalla on 500px

Photograph Living Above by Martin Krenovsky on 500px

Living Above by Martin Krenovsky on 500px

Photograph Best Friends Forever by Miki Asai on 500px

Best Friends Forever by Miki Asai on 500px

Photograph Justice is a living legend in no man's land ! by Mahmoud Elkourd on 500px

Justice is a living legend in no man's land ! by Mahmoud Elkourd on 500px

Photograph Under my skin by Julie de Waroquier on 500px

Under my skin by Julie de Waroquier on 500px

Bonus

Created pretty much entirely in-computer, major sections of this image are in fact CGI from start to finish. It is, however, undeniably beautiful and quite a work of art. And so we’re tacking it onto the Top 10 as a bonus number 11 alongside its fascinating making of video.

Photograph The Verge by Lightfarm Studios on 500px

The Verge by Lightfarm Studios on 500px

To see more of the beautiful Fine Art photography on 500px, visit the category’s Popular page or check out the Editors’ Choice selection where many lesser known photographers are getting a chance to shine.