The gimmick that has sustained the Mobile Photography Awards for 11 years is now largely redundant.
Considering the iPhone that took these pictures had more megapixels than the Hubble space telescope, photography on a mobile handset isn't quite the handicap it once was.
Today smartphone photography is less about the constraints of a smartphone, and more about the freedoms it affords.
It's about last second, spur-of-the-moment snaps, taken on the go.
As the technology has moved on in the space of a decade, it's no wonder that so many travel photographers have picked up the camera phone as a go-to weapon of choice - rather than convenience.
The awards, held in Toronto this month, had more than 5500 entries submitted from more than 90 countries.
"The work we see each year always gets better," says founder Daniel Berman.
He called this year's awards a "testament to another year in the ongoing story and evolution of mobile phone cameras".
However, this assessment doesn't account for the skills of the photographers.
Looking at the winners of this year's MPAs, you can't help but feel your own camera roll is wasted on shopping lists and selfies with dog ears. In the right hands, mobile phones can make for arresting images.
Freelance photographer Liu KunKun of Shanghai was named MPA photographer of the year. He was awarded US$3000 for his bold image of high-rise buildings.
The award winners will go on to be featured in touring exhibitions, with cash prizes given to category finalists.
The overall winner of the Transport and Travel category was Azim Khan Ronnie, whose picture of the Holi festival in Jaipur took first place.
Here are the best travel photos taken last year by a smartphone.
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