Let there be light! Photographers celebrate the sun's warm rays with collection of incredible sunlight snaps

By Emily Allen

Published: 04:52 EDT, 22 March 2014 | Updated: 07:45 EDT, 22 March 2014

The sun bathes landscapes in its warm glow in these incredible photographs taken from around the world.

The 10 shots have been shortlisted from 1500 entries for the Velux Lovers of Light photography competition where entrants were asked to capture and celebrate daylight.

Six of the images were taken from across the UK from places including Cannock in the West Midlands and Bridport, Dorset.

The competition sees both amateurs and professionals photograph landscapes waking up and as days draw to a close.

The images illustrate the role natural daylight plays in our lives and pay tribute to sunshine and warm rays.

The lucky winner will win a trip to Norway during the summer when the country experiences 24 hours sunlight.

Morning has broken: The sky glows in technicolour in this winter sunrise photo takens in Bridport, West Dorset by finalist Stephen Banks

Rays: The sun shines through the trees in this photo entitled 'Early Light' at Newlands Wood Cannock by finalist Graham Colling, from Walsall, West Midlands

Bathed in blue: Watching the tide roll away (II) at Alloa, Scotland taken by finalist Brian Smith, from Tullibody, Scotland

Carpet of leaves: Morning forest light in North Poland by finalist Mateusz Liberra, from Miastko, Poland

Pebbles: 'Untitled' in Newcastle, Co Down, taken by finalist Brian Mccready, from Banbridge, Northern Ireland

In the distance: Showers taken in The Hague, Netherlands by finalist Rogier Steyvers, from The Hague, Netherlands

Stunning scenes: Sunset Cliffs taken in San Diego, USA by finalist Thomas Zagler, from South Tyrol, Italy

Dramatic: Lighting up Langstrath taken in Borrowdale, Lake District by finalist Paul Fenech-Soler, from Baildon, West Yorkshire

Mist: Carousel in the mist, in Prokoshko, Bosnia taken by finalist Marko Stamatovic, from Kragujevac, Serbia