Scenery.Space Announces 2026 Photo Contest Winners

We are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2026 Scenery.Space Photo Contest. This year's submissions reflected a global range of environments — from Arctic ice fields to tropical cliffs — and a renewed focus on human relationship to landscape. The judging panel considered composition, technical skill, originality, and emotional impact.

Grand Prize: 'Silent Ridge' by Kofi Mensah

Kofi's image captures a low-slung ridge at dawn with layered mist accentuating depth. The composition elegantly balances a dramatic ridge line with a subtle foreground anchor. The tonal range preserves the delicate gradation between shadow and amber light.

Runner-Up: 'Ash and Sea' by Lillian Cho

Lillian's coastal image juxtaposes black volcanic sand with foaming surf and a distant lighthouse. The photograph is striking for its minimalism and excellent use of negative space.

People's Choice: 'March of the Dunes' by Omar al-Farouq

Voted by thousands of readers, Omar's panoramic view of wind-sculpted dunes and a solitary camel caravan captured both scale and narrative, resonating with many for its timeless composition.

Honorable Mentions

• 'Frozen Mirror' by Ingrid Madsen — crystal-clear lake reflections under a pastel sky.
• 'Lichen Cathedral' by Priya Nair — macro-landscape of moss and rock forming cathedral-like patterns.
• 'After the Storm' by Ruben Silva — a wide-angle shot catching the interplay of storm light and a rainbow.

Judging criteria and notes

Judges looked for images that were more than visually pleasing: they sought works that communicated a sense of place and showed respect for the environment. Technical excellence mattered — sharpness, exposure, and tonal control — but storytelling and originality often tipped the scale.

Exhibition and prizes

Winners will be featured in our online gallery and a limited-run printed book. Grand prize includes a feature profile, a $3,000 cash award, and a sponsored photo walk with one of our editors. All finalists will receive feedback from the judging panel.

What impressed the judges this year

Across entries, the judges noted a maturity in how photographers handled difficult light, greater attention to local context, and innovative uses of scale and detail. Images that integrated people into landscapes without overwhelming the scene were particularly praised for their narrative clarity.

Next year's theme

For 2027 we are announcing an early theme: 'Edges of Change' — looking at landscapes in transition, ecological edges, and places where human and natural systems meet. We encourage submissions that explore these intersections thoughtfully and ethically.

"The photos we celebrated this year remind us that landscape is both witness and participant in the human story."

See the full gallery on our contest page, and congratulations to all entrants. We thank the community for sharing images that deepen our understanding and care for the world we photograph.