“Fireworks” by Bence Tóth, Péter Feltóti, Bertalan Kecskés
The image shows M33, the Triangulum Galaxy from a new perspective. Due to tidal interaction with M31, there is very prominent star-forming activity in M33, which results in a spectacular structure of emission nebulae. During processing, a separate SHO picture was created with a strong SII/H-alpha presence, the glowing red structures in the picture, and blended with a high-resolution LRGB processing of the continuum data, representing the ‘background’ light.
Location: Sződliget, Pest and Törökkoppány, Somogy, Hungary, 2–4, 9, 23,30 November, 1, 27 and 28 December 2024

“500,000-km Solar Prominence Eruption” by PengFei Chou
On 7 November 2024, the Sun experienced a massive solar prominence eruption, with a length exceeding 500,000 km (311,000 miles). The eruption lasted approximately one hour from its initial outburst to its conclusion. The eruption phase of the prominence is composed of more than 20 stacked data sets, highlighting the entire process of this spectacular event.
Location: Eastern New District, Xinxing County, Guangdong province, China, 7 November 2024

“Aurora Over Mono Lake: A Rare Dance of Light” by Daniel Zafra
This photograph captures the rare occurrence of Northern Lights in California. Vibrant ribbons of magenta and green light up the sky, reflecting in the still waters among the rock formations.
Location: US 395, Mono Lake, Mono County, USA, 10 October 2024

“Moonrise Perfection Over the Dolomites” by Fabian Dalpiaz
The full Moon rising above the rugged peaks of the Dolomites. With no clouds in sight and in flawless conditions, the golden light of sunset bathes the mountains, creating harmony between Earth and sky.
Location: Santuario di Pietralba, Deutschnofen, South Tyrol, Italy, 15 November 2024

“Solar System Portrait” by Sophie Paulin
This image presents all the planets of our Solar System, excluding Earth, showcasing their unique characteristics. Mercury, the closest to the Sun, is a barren, cratered world, while Venus is shrouded in thick clouds. Mars, the Red Planet, has vast deserts and the largest volcano in the Solar System. The gas giants, Jupiter and Saturn, dominate with their immense size and swirling storms, while Saturn’s rings make it especially striking. Uranus and Neptune, the ice giants, are rich in methane, giving them their blue hue.
Location: Bobingen, Bavaria, Germany, 11 September 2023, 7 September, 29 August, and 28 December 2024

“Eight-Panel Mosaic of M31: Stars, Nebulae and Central Bulge” by Chuhong Yu, Jingyao Hong, Xi Zhu, Yaguang Wan
This image shows countless resolved stars, emission nebulae, and a mysterious central bulge. The photo is incredibly detailed, the mist surrounding the galaxy is actually tens of thousands of yellowish tiny stars.
Location: Daocheng County, Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, China, 30–31 October, 1–6, 20–30 November, 1–10 and 20–31 December 2024

“Dragon Tree Trails” by Benjamin Barakat
A solitary dragon tree stands tall in the heart of Socotra’s Dragon Blood Tree forest – an otherworldly landscape unlike anywhere else on Earth. The final image is composed of 300 individual exposures.
Location: Firmihin Forest, Hidaybu District, Yemen, 13 March 2024

“Close-up of a Comet” by Gerald Rhemann and Michael Jäger
The photographers traveled to Namibia to view Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) in the southern hemisphere. Due to the angle of the observation, the dust and ion tails seem to have overlapped, but the impact of solar winds on the day caused noticeable kinks in the ion tail.
Location: Tivoli Astrofarm, Windhoek Rural, Namibia, 30 September 2024

“Gateway to the Galaxy” by Yujie Zhang
Under the night sky, several black geometric buildings appear to stand on the water’s surface, resembling gateways to the galaxy. The bright Milky Way stretches across the sky behind them, with stars twinkling. The reflections of the buildings shimmer in the water, blending reality and illusion, as if opening a passage to the mysteries of the Universe, inspiring endless reverie and a longing to explore the vast starry sky.
Location: Songyang County, China, 10 August 2024

“Kongen” by Filip Hrebenda
The photograph captures a remote location on the Senja Peninsula in northern Norway. In the foreground, birch trees beautifully reflect the colors of the dancing aurora in the sky.
Location: Stavelitippen, Fjordgård, Norway, 12 September 2024

“Encounter Within One Second” by Zhang Yanguang
This image captures the International Space Station (ISS) transiting across the solar disc. The solar background was captured separately with double-stacked etalon[an optical filter that isolates specific wavelengths, used to observe solar details], and reveals high-contrast chromospheric details. The imaging sequences were strategically combined during post-processing to preserve both the spacecraft’s crisp silhouette and the Sun’s intricate surface features.
Location: Xiamen, Fujian, China, 24 January 2025

“Blood Moon Rising Behind the City Skyscrapers” by Tianyao Yang
This photograph captures a red Full Moon rising beside Shanghai’s tallest skyscrapers in Lujiazui. Taken from a distance of 26.5 km (16.5 miles) from the skyscrapers in a single exposure, this image’s alignment took five years of planning. The Full Moon appears perfectly positioned next to the illuminated skyline, creating a striking contrast.
Location: Jiading District, Shanghai, China, 21 July 2024

“Abell 85: Pomegranate in the Universe” by Deqian Li
Abell 85 is a supernova remnant situated in the Milky Way galaxy that appears to some to be shaped like a pomegranate. This target is faint. The OIII signal in particular is exceedingly weak. To fully capture the signal, Deqian Li spent six days camping in Hongyuan County.
Location: Hongyuan County, Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, China, and Yingshan County, Nanchong, Sichuan, China, 30, 31 August, 1 and 3–5 September 2024

“Electric Threads of the Lightning Spaghetti Nebula” by Shaoyu Zhang
This full-spectrum image of the Spaghetti Nebula unveils the faint and elusive nature of this supernova remnant (SNR), hidden behind a vast cloud of dust that obstructs its emission light. To enhance its visual appeal, Shaoyu Zhang dedicated considerable time to capturing OIII data, intensifying the blue and green hues, while allowing SII and H-alpha to support high dynamic range stretching for added depth.
Location: Deep Sky Chile Observatory, Camino del Observatorio, Río Hurtado, Chile and Xiangcheng, Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, China, 21, 24 and 25 December 2024, 3–5, 15, 16, 19–31 January, 1–6, 10–19 February 2025

“NGC 2997: The Antlia Cabbage Galaxy” by Xinran Li
NGC 2997 is a barred spiral galaxy (type SBc) in the constellation of Antlia. At 35 million light years distance, it has a visual magnitude of about 9.5, making it visible with binoculars in dark sites. The region is full of background H-alpha emissions, giving wonderful color to the image.
Location: El Sauce Observatory, Río Hurtado, Chile, 23 January, 4–5 February 2025

“Diving” by Joanna Steidle, United States. International Aerial Photographer of the Year.
“A humpback whale diving back under the surface of the Atlantic Ocean after taking a breath of air. This was taken within 500ft of the coast in Southampton, NY, USA.”

“Cono de Arita” by Ignacio Palacios. International Aerial Photography of the Year
“Anti crepuscular rays at Cono de Arita, La Puna, Argentina.”

“Concerto” by Joanna Steidle, United States. International Aerial Photographer of the Year.
“Top down drone photography of a small fever of cownose rays stirring up some sand along their travels.”

“Smoking Skull” by Daniel Viñé Garcia, Spain. IAPOTY Runner-Up.
“Iceland's Fagradalsfjall volcano as it cooled. The cracking pattern of the lava formed a skull, creating an eerie natural illusion for a few moments.”

“Desert Whirlpool” by Colin Leonhardt, Australia. Abstract Award
“Mine site near Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.”

“Above the Ice” by Fabien Guittard, France. Chairman's Choice Award
“These two seals are lounging peacefully on a drifting slab of ice in the Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon in southern Iceland.”

“Desert Playa” by David Swindler, United States. IAPOTY Third Place

“The Nipple of the Earth” by Daniel Viñé Garcia, Spain. IAPOTY Runner-Up.
“A dormant volcano in the high-altitude Puna of Argentina reveals intricate erosion patterns sculpted by wind and time.”

“Austfonna Ice Cap” by Thomas Vijayan, Canada.
“The Bråsvellbreen glacier, part of the Austfonna Ice Cap in Svalbard. Early melting and powerful waterfalls reveal the urgent reality of climate change—reminding us what’s at stake if we fail to act.”

“Flamingos over the Lake” by David Swindler, United States. IAPOTY Third Place
“Flamingos over a lake.”

“Tree of Ice” by Talor Stone, United States. International Aerial Photograph of the Year, Runner-Up
“An aerial perspective of glacial calving reveals an unexpected organic pattern in the water.”

“The Tempest” by Barbara Brown, Australia. Black & White Award
“Salt lake, Goldfields region of Western Australia.”

“Tajogaite” by Javier Garcia, Spain. Top 101.
“On 19 September 2021, the Tajogaite volcano (Montana Rajada) erupted on La Palma (Spain). Intense volcanic activity buried thousands of homes.”

“New Earth” by Mike Mezeul II, United States. Top 101
“Nearly 24 hours after the start of the July 9, 2023, Litli-Hrútur eruption in Iceland, this three-image panoramic showcases the newly formed cinder cone and associated lava river.”

“Winter Mountains” by Craig McGowan, Australia. Top 101
“The moving clouds allowed speckled winter sunlight to illuminate and shift across the mountains below.”

“Labyrinth of Time” by Tomás Neuwirth, Czech Republic.
“A labyrinth in the spa park in the town of Jesenak, photographed in two different seasons.”

“Relax after the Meal” by Pål Hermansen, Norway. Top 101
“Polar bear on Svalbard after eating on a walrus carcass. Thanks to the drone with a telephoto lens, this rare scene could be captured without any disturbance.”

“Nature's Palette” by Rakesh Baro, India. Top 101.
“I love how this beautiful lake is nestled in the heart of autumn, surrounded by a breathtaking display of fiery reds, golden yellows and deep oranges. Muskoka landscapes can't get any better.”

“Avalanche” by Lorenzo Passalacqua, Australia. Top 101
“Surfers confronting the immense force of the ocean, evokes the rush of escaping a collapsing mountain.”

“The Alchemy of Extraction” by Tim Wrate, Australia. Top 101.
“A remote mining site in South Australia, where vivid colors reveal the dramatic impact of mining on the landscape? An intricate blend of human industry and natural terrain.”

“Trapped” by Roman Willi

“Pathfinders” by Jonas Beyer

“Powerless” by Niki Colemont

“Hitchhiker” by Caitlin Grace

“Cicada Swarm” by Gavin Koester

“Urchin Spike” by Sayaka Ichinoseki

“Sniff” by Doug Gimesy

“Look at Me” by Reiko Takahashi

“Aspen Shadows” by Devon Pradhuman

“Big Hair Day” by Nick Kanakis

“Blue Dream” by Haiyong Cai

“Relaxing in the Snow” by Daniel Valverde Fernandez

“California Newt Ball” by Anton Sorokin

“Dance of the Elements” by Philipp Egger

“The Frigatebird and the Diamond Ring” by Liron Gertsman

“In Mother's Arms” by Dvir Barkay

“Vulture Restaurant” by Alain Schroeder

“Gift” by Piotr Naskrecki

“Circle of Life” by Angel Fitor

“A Fortress of Spruce Needles” by Iacopo Nerozzi

“Toxic Lake” by Radek von Hirschberg. Overall Professional Winner.
“Poles across the country embraced winter swimming as their favorite pursuit. It became the ‘it’ thing to do among the Polish middle class. This was evident, for example, in social media, once flooded with selfies of people standing in cold water. Standing almost everywhere, like e.g. in Toxic Lake.”

“Nuerki” by Maria Ehrlich. Overall Non-Professional Winner.
“Girl with traditional hairstyle sitting in front of a house in Nima, Accra Ghana”

“How Beautiful You Are” by Aga Karmol. Winner, Professional, Domestic Animals
“A Welsh Pony stallion admiring his own reflection in the mirror.”

“Alone In Silence” by Herri Susanto. Overall Professional Runner-Up

“Female Crowned Woodnymph, Ecuador” by Mark Gordon. Winner, Non-Professional, Wildlife

“The Cowboys of Cappadocia” by Ava Karmol. Winner, Professional, Travel
“Local Turkish ‘cowboys' maintain the last herd of semi-wild yilky horses, living in a vast valley of Cappadocia.”

“Black veil” by Mauro Matalone. Winner, Professional, Fashion & Beauty

“Geometry of Light” by Grit Meyer. Winner, Non-Professional, Minimalism
“The image ‘Geometry of Light' deconstructs existing forms and recontextualizes them. The modern design of Isozaki's architecture seamlessly merges with elements of Islamic architecture, while the human figure serves as a scale reference.”

“Fishermen's Dance Among Inle's Mangroves” by Xavier Ayme. Winner, Non-Professional, Travel
“Fishermen skillfully working the serene waters of Inle Lake, surrounded by lush mangroves, their traditional techniques blending harmoniously with the tranquil landscape.”

“Hanging Divers” by Jesper Bjarke Andersen. Overall Non-Professional 3rd Place and Winner, Non-Professional, Nature
“My approach to UV photography was the same as on land: using a small camera, without lights or flash, and shooting exclusively in black and white. (Leica Q2 mono). This photo was taken purely on instinct—framed in the moment, with no need for adjustment afterwards.”

“Ageless Portrait” by Asok Sengupta. Overall Non-Professional Runner-up

“Va, pensiero” (“Go, thought” from “Nabucco”) by Christian Basetti. Winner, Non-Professional, Fine Art
“Oh my homeland, so beautiful but lost. Oh, remembrance, so beloved, but so painful. Golden harp inspiring the great Poets. Why are you so silent and abandoning yourself to tears? Rekindle memories in our hearts. Tell us again about our glorious past!” Giuseppe Verdi inspires the Italian glory in decay.”

“West Bank & Jerusalem” by Michael Christopher Brown. Winner, Professional Photojournalism

“An Internal Odyssey” by Tzion Essel. Overall Professional 3rd Place.

“Symphony of Strings” by Jacquie Matechuk. Winner, Professional, Architecture
“Getting lost in the intricate symmetry of a modern cable-stayed bridge, transforming its structure into a mesmerizing display of geometric precision. An interplay of converging lines and curving forms creates a sense of movement and balance, evoking both architectural strength and delicate artistry.”

“Frost On My Windows” by Peter Jeschke. Winner, Professional, Nature
“Nature creates frost art in winter on my leaky old farmhouse windows. Ephemeral crystalline compositions form overnight, are lit by morning light diffracting
wondrously through the ice crystals, then the artwork disappears in the sun’s warmth. Occasional flat gray winter light lends itself to B&W.”

“North Uist Landscape” by Jens Winkler. Winner, Professional, Minimalism
“An abstract of the landscape on the island of North Uist, Scotland.”

“Alone Together” by Christine Walsh. Winner, Professional, Abstract
“Photographer Devin Yalkin.”

“Perfect balance of man and horse” by Beng Tiong Ng. Winner, Non-Professional, Domestic Animals
“Mongolian eagle hunters are Kazakhs who have a tradition of hunting on horseback. Man and horse are one mobile unit. At the Golden Eagle Festival, sports are held to show their skills. The contest to pick up coin bags at full gallop requires perfect balance for both man and horse.”

“The Shape of Light” by Eric Hagemann. Winner, Professional, Fine Art

“Orangutan: The Person of the Forest” by Venkatesh Kittur. Winner, Non-Professional, Fine Art
“Here, I am presenting a portrait of an Orangutan with deep, soulful eyes, reflecting both intelligence and sorrow. Their gaze speaks of a quiet plea for survival, haunted by the encroachment of deforestation and habitat loss, a silent struggle for existence and survival in a rapidly changing world.”

“Leap of Faith” by Zhou Donglin. Grand Prize Winner.
“Lemurs are remarkably lithe creatures. With long tails providing balance and powerful, slender limbs outfitted with opposable thumbs and toes, they move with ease through the craggy limestone spires of western Madagascar’s Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park. Still, leaping over a 30-meter (100-foot) ravine with a baby clinging to your back seems like a daring choice.
To capture this scene, photographer Zhou Donglin had to do some mountaineering of her own. Setting out before sunrise, Donglin spent an hour scrambling to the top of a rocky peak, praying that the elusive brown lemurs (Eulemur fulvus) would show. After a day of disappointingly distant sightings, Donglin finally found some luck as a small troop descended through a forest of stone, glowing gold in the late evening light.”

“My Octopus Mother” by Kat Zhou. Aquatic Life Winner.
“Photographer Kat Zhou was diving off the coast of Florida when friends alerted her to this female octopus and her eggs tucked into a pipe of some sort, perhaps a remnant of a shipwreck. Zhou returned four times, trying to capture the mother’s determination to protect her young when they’re most vulnerable. She hopes her work inspires empathy for marine life, including an animal whose behaviors differ wildly from our own but whose maternal instincts are entirely familiar.
The Caribbean reef octopus (Octopus briareus) pictured here broods just a few hundred large eggs. Once she lays her eggs, the female stops eating and guards her growing offspring day and night. Her babies will emerge as fully developed, miniature versions of their parents, ready to change color, squirt ink, hunt for food, and live as small but full-fledged octopuses in the shallow seas around the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. Their mother, in contrast, having exhausted herself to ensure her offspring’s survival, will die shortly after they hatch.”

“Part of the Pack” by Amit Eshel. Terrestrial Wildlife Winner.
“Reaching Ellesmere Island, in Canada’s far north, is an adventure of its own. It took six domestic flights for Israeli photographer Amit Eshel to get within striking distance, and then days of traveling by dogsled and snowmobile to make it to the northern part of the island. Eshel undertook the journey in hopes of spotting Ellesmere’s wolves, which have no known history of being hunted and are unafraid of the few human visitors they encounter. Yet only about 200 Arctic wolves (Canis lupus arctos) live on Ellesmere, which is roughly the size of Great Britain, and during Eshel’s first visit in April 2022, he and his Inuit guides searched for two weeks without finding them.
He tried again in 2024. This time, 12 days into the expedition, his group was moving across a frozen fjord in -35 degrees Celsius (-31 Fahrenheit) temperatures when they spotted a single wolf through binoculars. Eight more soon appeared, and the pack moved slowly toward Eshel.”

“Tiny Tent Makers” by Dvir Barkay. Winged Life Winner.
“Bats are not ordinarily known for their cuteness. Then again, the Honduran white bat (Ectophylla alba) is no ordinary bat. One of the smallest fruit-eating bats in the world, it’s roughly the size of a golf ball and the weight of a quarter. Even with its wings outstretched, the diminutive species only reaches around 10 centimeters (4 inches). But it’s not only the bat’s stature that’s unique. It’s also one of the few species that makes tents in which to roost.
After finding a suitably large Heliconia leaf 2 meters (6 feet) or so off the ground, the bats work as a team, biting from the edges toward the midrib until the foliage falls in on itself, forming a simple tent that resembles an upside-down V. Groups of four to six bats will nestle together in these verdant shelters to rest until nightfall, when they venture out to find their preferred food: figs. Though they only stay in any given tent for a night or two, they leave their mark in the form of seed-packed feces that can sprout into new trees. Indeed, Honduran white bats don’t just build their own shelters—they also help shape the forests they inhabit.”

“The World of Familiar Insects” by Takuya Ishiguro. Photo Story: In My Backyard Winner.
“It’s an undeniable fact that insects live close to humans at all times, but sometimes they are so small we may not even notice them. And even when we do notice them, they’re often met with disgust and derision. In this series taken in the photographer's native Japan, we’re given an unexpected look into the lives of bugs, wherein the photographer uses his own customized lens to capture unique, up-close images of diversely colorful and impressive species. In this image, we’re shown the unexpected beauty of a Common housefly (family Muscidae) as it shines like a jewel while covered in morning dew. Unfortunately, it won’t be able to fly off until the dew drops evaporate and it completely dries off, making it the perfect portrait specimen.”

“Early Bloomer” by Ellen Woods. Landscapes, Waterscapes, & Flora Finalist.
“Winters in the northeastern United States are long, cold, and often snowy, so the first signs of spring are a welcome sight. Skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is often one of the earliest plants to emerge, thanks to a unique characteristic: It creates its own microclimate, warming itself to about 23 degrees Celsius (73 degrees Fahrenheit) even when the surrounding air is below freezing.
Despite these remarkable adaptations, skunk cabbage tends to be underappreciated—which is precisely what drew Ellen Woods to this specimen near her home in Connecticut. Woods hopes her photograph not only calls attention to the region’s overlooked flora but also highlights the cold tolerance of a native species in a region where snowfall is becoming increasingly unreliable.”

“Icy Stare” by Marcin Giba. Landscapes, Waterscapes, & Flora Winner.
“Not long ago, it would have been nearly impossible for photographer Marcin Giba to take this image of a fissure on a foot-marked frozen lake in the southern Polish city of Rybnik—and it could become impossible again. Rybnik is one of Poland’s largest producers of coal, and with that abundance has come rampant consumption. Until recently, most homes and residential buildings burned coal for heat, cloaking the city in a thick layer of pollution and giving it the unenviable title of the “smog capital of Poland.” In 2010 alone, Rybnik experienced 130 days where the pollution was both hazardous and visible to the naked eye. Needless to say, such smoggy conditions aren’t conducive to the kind of drone-based photography that Giba uses in his work.
Fed up with the government’s inaction, a group of residents created Polish Smog Alert, an advocacy organization pushing for legislation to suppress the smog. Since their formation a decade ago, the group has helped enact policies that have replaced nearly 10,000 coal boilers across the city. As a result, Rybnik experienced just 16 smog days in 2023.”

“Rhino Rebound” by Ami Vitale. Human/Nature Winner.
“In January 2024, officials from the Kenya Wildlife Service undertook a massive mission: translocating 21 black rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis) to a region where they hadn’t lived for half a century. Black rhinos can weigh as much as a small sedan and are known to gore people, which makes moving them a daunting task. But when Kenya’s 16 existing rhino sanctuaries became too crowded, officials had little choice.
Moving such powerful animals can be dangerous for both rhinos and their human caretakers. Photographer Ami Vitale was documenting the translocation of this female from the OI Pejeta Conservancy in central Kenya to the Loisaba Conservancy in the north when the rhino reacted poorly to anesthesia and stopped breathing. Veterinarians and handlers initiated a special resuscitation for large animals and administered drugs to reverse the effects of the anesthetic, saving the animal’s life. Vitale says this image—captured the moment the rhino recovered—speaks to the danger that people are willing to face to bring back an imperiled species.”

“Unwavering Energy” by Sandra Bartocha. Art of Nature Winner.
“Waves impact life on land, tossing sediment onto shore that eventually becomes beaches and dunes where shorebirds and other wildlife find refuge. In Germany, where photographer Sandra Bartocha made this long-exposure image at sunrise, waves deposit up to 4 meters (13 feet) of sand per year in some locations and erode more than 2 meters (nearly 8 feet) per year in others. Whether waves give or take, their impact on the world’s oceans is, shall we say, unwavering.”

“Puddle Jumper” by Georgina Steytler. Aquatic Life Finalist.
“Erecting his sail-like, iridescent dorsal fin, this male blue-spotted mudskipper wriggles his stout tail and launches himself into the air before falling back to Earth with an unceremonious plop. Females are typically wooed by the highest jumper, a sign that a would-be mate will be strong enough to defend the muddy burrow where she will eventually deposit her eggs.
To capture this moment, photographer Georgina Steytler spent hours in the mud over the course of several days. She took thousands of photos before getting this mudskipper perfectly midflight. But Steytler says the effort was well worth it to highlight “how remarkable these little fish are—a true cross between aquatic and terrestrial life.”

“Carcass of the Ice Beast” by Liam Man. The Royal Geographical Society – Climate of Change Award
“Carcass of the Ice Beast, Image 3 from The Icebreaker Project, is a photograph taken of the Rhone Glacier. In 2009, thermally reflective blankets were used to slow their melting, covering five acres to deflect infrared radiation. ‘Today, these coverings hang in tatters, like the torn skin of a dying giant”, Liam Man explains. By anthropomorphising the glacier, the photographer invites us to “bear witness to the cryosphere’s beauty and its vulnerability.'”

“Autophagy” by Lorenzo Poli. Earth Photo Award 2025.
“This impressive, black-and-white photograph was taken at the Chuquicamata mine in Chile, the second-largest open-pit copper mine in the world by excavated volume, and one of the deepest, plunging nearly 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) into the Earth.
Capturing an abandoned miners’ town and cemetery gradually being subsumed by mineral ore extraction, the image documents the “gridded impermanence of extractive cycles, overpowering life and death,” according to Lorenzo Poli.”

“Beneath | Beofhód” series by Shane Hynan. Photoworks Digital Residency Award & Sidney Nolan Trust Residency Prize.
“An Irish term meaning “life beneath the sod’, Beneath | Beofhód, “evokes the deep-rooted reverence for the land in Celtic culture”, according to photographer Shane Hynan. Using a combination of “topographical mapping and metaphorical exploration”, Hynan’s project reflects on the legacy of industrial peat harvesting, and recent tensions between traditional turf cutting practices and the need to restore and protect fragile peatland ecosystems.”

“Rotary Screw Traps” by Vivian Wan. New Scientist Editors Award
“On the Trinity River in Willow Creek, California, Yurok Tribal members and biologists Oshun O'Rourk and Yadao Inong, along with technicians, install rotary screw traps: specialised devices used to catch live fi sh for annual disease monitoring and to track migration patterns.
For centuries, the Klamath Basin has been the cultural and ecological heart of the Yurok Tribe, who identify as “Indians of the river and coast.” The basin’s waters have long sustained fishing, eel hunting, and above all, the sacred salmon—central to Yurok spirituality, identity, and livelihood.”

“Waterline” by Mateo Borrero. The Forestry England – Forest Ecosystem Award
“A Ticuna man stands on the side of a 500-year-old Ceiba tree in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest. The tree has a water line that marks where the water level reaches during the rainy season, which goes from April to May. This photograph was taken in May 2024, and by that time, the level should be at the maximum; however, the rains were scarce by then due to global warming.”

“La Hepica – Consumed Living Spaces” by Issam Corrib. David Wolf Kaye Future Potential Awards
“Issam Chorrib’s image taken in Larache, Morocco, captures a turning point where nature and human impact collide: a forest once used for leisure and reflection, now consumed by fire. Part of his series La Hepica: Consumed Living Spaces, “the image underscores the increasing fragility of ecosystems in the face of climate change”, Issam Chorrib explained. Prolonged droughts and environmental mismanagement have made places like La Hepica increasingly vulnerable to wildfire.”

“Autophagy” by Lorenzo Poli.

“Autophagy” by Lorenzo Poli.

“The Icebreaker Project” series by Liam Man.

“The Icebreaker Project” series by Liam Man.

“Rotary Screw Traps” by Vivian Wan.

“Beneath | Beofhód” series by Shane Hynan.

Wonder, 1st Place, Rachel Moore, USA
“This photo, taken in Mo'orea, French Polynesia in 2024, captures the eye of a humpback whale named Sweet Girl, just days before her tragic death. Four days after I captured this intimate moment, she was struck and killed by a fast-moving ship. Her death serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the 20,000 whales lost to ship strikes every year. We are using her story to advocate for stronger protections, petitioning for stricter speed laws around Tahiti and Mo'orea during whale season. I hope Sweet Girl’s legacy will spark real change to protect these incredible animals and prevent further senseless loss.”

Underwater Seascapes, 1st Place, Dani Escayola, Spain,
“This year, I had the incredible opportunity to visit a jellyfish lake during a liveaboard trip around southern Raja Ampat, Indonesia. Being surrounded by millions of jellyfish, which have evolved to lose their stinging ability due to the absence of predators, was one of the most breathtaking experiences I’ve ever had.”

Above Water Seascapes, 1st Place, Leander Nardin, Austria
“A serene lake cradled by arid dunes, where a gentle stream breathes life into the heart of Mother Earth’s creation: Captured from an airplane, this image reveals the powerful contrasts and hidden beauty where land and ocean meet, reminding us that the ocean is the source of all life and that everything in nature is deeply connected. The location is a remote stretch of coastline near Shark Bay, Western Australia.”

Underwater Seascapes, 2nd Place, Gerald Rambert, Mauritius,
“This shot captures a school of rays resting at a cleaning station in Mauritius, where strong currents once attracted them regularly. Some rays grew accustomed to divers, allowing close encounters like this. Sadly, after the severe bleaching that the reefs here suffered last year, such gatherings have become rare, and I fear I may not witness this again at the same spot.”

Underwater Seascapes, Honorable Mention, Lars von Ritter Zahony, Germany.
“With only orcas as their natural predators, leopard seals are Antarctica’s most versatile hunters, preying on everything from fish and cephalopods to penguins and other seals. Gentoo penguins are a favored menu item, and leopard seals can be observed patrolling the waters around their colonies. For this shot, I used a split image to capture both worlds: the gentoo penguin colony in the background with the leopard seal on the hunt in the foreground.”

Big and Small Underwater Faces, 3rd Place, Lars von Ritter Zahony, Germany
“Trips to the Antarctic Peninsula always yield amazing encounters with leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx). Boldly approaching me and baring his teeth, this individual was keen to point out that this part of Antarctica was his territory. This picture was shot at dusk, resulting in the rather moody atmosphere.”

Big and Small Underwater Faces, 1st Place, Andrey Nosik, Russia
“This photo of a Japanese warbonnet (Chirolophis japonicus) was captured in the Sea of Japan, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southwest of Vladivostok, Russia. I found the ornate fish at a depth of about 30 meters (100 feet), under the stern of a shipwreck. This species does not appear to be afraid of divers—on the contrary, it seems to enjoy the attention—and it even tried to sit on the dome port of my camera.”

Big and Small Underwater Faces, 2nd Place, Giacomo Marchione, Italy
“On one of my many blackwater dives in Anilao, in the Philippines, my guide and I spotted something moving erratically at a depth of around 20 meters (65 feet), about 10 to 15 centimeters in size. We quickly realized that it was a rare blanket octopus (Tremoctopus sp.). As we approached, it opened up its beautiful blanket, revealing its multicolored mantle. I managed to take a few shots before it went on its way. I felt truly privileged to have captured this fascinating deep-sea cephalopod. Among its many unique characteristics, this species exhibits some of the most extreme sexual size-dimorphism in nature, with females weighing up to 40,000 times more than males.”

Wonder, 2nd Place, Luis Arpa Toribio, Spain
“A juvenile pinnate batfish (Platax pinnatus) captured with a slow shutter speed, a snooted light, and deliberate camera panning to create a sense of motion and drama. Juvenile pinnate batfish are known for their striking black bodies outlined in vibrant orange—a coloration they lose within just a few months as they mature. I encountered this restless subject in the tropical waters of Indonesia’s Lembeh Strait. Capturing this image took patience and persistence over two dives, as these active young fish constantly dart for cover in crevices, making the shot particularly challenging.”

Underwater Seascapes, 3rd Place, Pedro Carrillo, Spain,
““La Rapadura” is a natural hidden treasure on the northern coast of Tenerife, in the Spanish territory of the Canary Islands. Only discovered in 1996, it is one of the most astonishing underwater landscapes in the world, consistently ranking among the planet’s best dive sites. These towering columns of basalt are the result of volcanic processes that occurred between 500,000 and a million years ago. The formation was created when a basaltic lava flow reached the ocean, where, upon cooling and solidifying, it contracted, creating natural structures often compared to the pipes of church organs. Located in a region where marine life has been impacted by once common illegal fishing practices, this stunning natural monument has both geological and ecological value, and scientists and underwater photographers are advocating for its protection.” (Model: Yolanda Garcia)

Above Water Seascapes, 2nd Place, Nur Tucker, UK/Turkey
“Northern gannets (Morus bassanus) soar above the dramatic cliffs of Scotland’s Hermaness National Nature Reserve, their sleek white bodies and black-tipped wings slicing through the Shetland winds. These seabirds, the largest in the North Atlantic, are renowned for their striking plunge-dives, reaching speeds up to 100 kph (60 mph) as they hunt for fish beneath the waves. The cliffs of Hermaness provide ideal nesting sites, with updrafts aiding their take-offs and landings. Each spring, thousands return to this rugged coastline, forming one of the UK’s most significant gannet colonies. It was a major challenge to take photos at the edge of these cliffs at almost 200 meters (650 feet) with the winds up to 30 kph (20 mph).”

Above Water Seascapes, 3rd Place, Andrey Nosik, Russia,
“Paradise Harbor is one of the most beautiful places on the Antarctic Peninsula. When I visited, the sea was extremely calm, and I was lucky enough to witness a wonderfully clear reflection of the Suárez Glacier (aka Petzval Glacier) in the water. The only problem was the waves created by our speedboat, and the only way to capture the perfect reflection was to lie on the bottom of the boat while it moved towards the glacier.”

Above Water Seascapes, Honorable Mention, Ken Findlay, South Africa
“A South Atlantic swell breaks on the Dungeons Reef off the Cape Peninsula, South Africa, shot while photographing a big-wave surf session in October 2017. It’s the crescendoing sounds of these breaking swells that always amazes me.”

Wonder, 3rd Place, Steven Lopez, USA
“Shot in Cuba’s Jardines de la Reina—a protected shark sanctuary—this image captures a Caribbean reef shark weaving through a group of silky sharks near the surface. Using a slow shutter and strobes as the shark pivoted sharply, the motion blurred into a wave-like arc across its head, lit by the golden hues of sunset. The abundance and behavior of sharks here is a living symbol of what protected oceans can look like.”

Wonder, Honorable Mention, Ollie Clarke, UK
“Humpback whales in their thousands migrate along the Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia every year on the way to and from their calving grounds. In four seasons of swimming with them on the reef here, this is the only encounter I’ve had like this one. This pair of huge adult whales repeatedly spy hopped alongside us, seeking to interact with and investigate us, leaving me completely breathless. The female in the foreground was much more confident than the male behind and would constantly make close approaches, whilst the male hung back a little, still interested but shy. After more than 10 years working with wildlife in the water, this was one of the best experiences of my life.”

“Go away” by Annette Kirby (Australia). Animal: White Tailed Sea Eagle. Location of shot: Hokkaido, Japan
“This was taken in Japan, where I was observing a White-Tailed Sea Eagle putting their fish in a hole and protecting it. This one had a fish and saw another Eagle coming in to try and steal it.”

“Commandeer” by Rachelle Mackintosh (Australia). Animal: Galapagos marine iguana and lava lizard. Location of shot: Fernandina Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
“A lava lizard takes charge of a Galapagos marine iguana and sets off on a ride. Judging by the iguana's possessed eyes, lava lizard may have taken over its soul, too. These two silly billies were hanging out with a big bunch of marine iguanas on a rocky beach.”

“Queueing for the polar plunge” by Martin Schmid (Austria). Animal: Gentoo Penguins. Location of shot: Neumayer Channel, Antarctica
“A really spontaneous shot from an expedition ship in Antarctica. Those gentoo penguins seemed to orderly wait in queue to finally jump into the sea. Taken in January 2025.”

“Aaaaaww Mum!” by Mark Meth-Cohn (UK). Animal: Gorilla. Location of shot: Rwanda
“Caring Gorilla mum giving her infant a big sloppy kiss!”

“Waving Dragon” by Trevor Rix (Australia). Animal: Gippsland Waterdragon. Location of shot: Murrumbidgee River near Canberra, ACT, Australia
“Wandering along the Murrumbidgee River we spotted a few lizards scurrying under the rocks looking for lunch, next thing this junior Gippsland Waterdragon popped up and gave us a friendly wave.”

“Go give it a try!” by Bhargava Srivari (India). Animal: Lion. Location of shot: Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
“The image shows Lion siblings at play, where one of the siblings seems to be pushing the other one to do stuff that annoys their mom. Lions aren't natural climbers, so it looks like one sibling is encouraging the other to do something naughty!”

“Laugh like no one is watching” by Emma Parker (Australia). Animal: Blue Spotted Mudskipper. Location of shot: Western Australia
“Two joyful mudskippers look like they are having the best time in the mud — I just wish I knew what the joke was! Mud is fun.”

“Happy deer” by Jeremy Duvekot (Netherlands). Animal: Roe deer. Location of shot: The Netherlands
“This roe deer was joyfully running around and suddenly came my way. Had only one chance and nailed it.”

“The wig” by Yann Chauvette (Canada). Animal: Greater One-Horned Rhino. Location: Chitwan National Park, Nepal
“A Greater One-Horned Rhino feasting on aquatic fine dining, diving underwater, and getting back up with a new wig made out of his delicious meal.”

“I Hate IKEA” by Brian Hempstead (USA). Animal: Common Myna Nest Build. Location of shot: Kruger National Park, South Africa
“Photo taken at Kruger NP, South Africa, outside Skukuza Camp on Lower Sabie Rd at Sunset Dam in October and November during a self-driving birding trip around National Parks of South Africa.”

NASA astronaut Andre Douglas raises an American flag as NASA astronaut Kate Rubins looks on during their first simulated moonwalk in a week-long field test consisting of four simulated moonwalks and six advanced technology runs in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona. (Photo: NASA/Josh Valcarcel)

This photo shows NASA and Boeing, the SLS core stage lead contractor, preparing the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket core stage for shipment at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. (Photo: NASA/Michael DeMocker)

NASA astronaut Zena Cardman at the NASA Johnson Space Center photo studio. (Photo: Josh Valcarcel – NASA – Johnson Space Center)

NASA astronaut Andre Douglas wears AR (Augmented Reality) display technology during a nighttime advanced technology run in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona. (Photo: Josh Valcarcel – NASA – Johnson Space Center)

Engineers and Technicians from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center crawl under the PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) spacecraft to inspect the +X side during payload processing at Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, FL (Photo: Denny Henry)

NASA astronaut Zena Cardman inspects her suit’s wrist mirror at the NASA Johnson Space Center photo studio. (Photo: Josh Valcarcel – NASA – Johnson Space Center)

A supermoon rises over Huntsville, Alabama, home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. (Photo: NASA/Michael DeMocker)

Production Photography of Lunar Terrain Vehicle Ground Test Unit (Photo: NASA / Bill Stafford and Helen Arase Vargas)

NASA astronaut Kate Rubins conducts a tool audit to ensure she has all of her tools while NASA astronaut Andre Douglas reviews procedures during a nighttime simulated moonwalk in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona. (Photo: NASA/Josh Valcarcel)

NASA astronaut Nichole “Vapor” Ayers at the NASA Johnson Space Center photo studio. (Photo: Josh Valcarcel – NASA – Johnson Space Center)

Chris Henze demonstrates the newly upgraded hyperwall visualization system to Center Director Eugene Tu, Deputy Center Director David Korsmeyer, and NAS Division management in N258. (Photo: Brandon Torres)

The NASA T-34 Plane, waiting to take flight inside the NASA Glenn Research Center Hangar. (Photo: NASA/GRC/Jef Janis)

“The Elderly Having Delicious Food” by Xiaoling Li (China). Overall Winner and Winner, Food for the Family supported by the Felix Project.
“In an early spring afternoon in Shuangliu Ancient Town, Sichuan Province, China, five elderly ladies in their eighties sit together. Wearing colorful jackets and wool hats, they happily eat the famous Sichuan snack ‘Spring rolls’. A wrap of thin homemade dough, filled with cucumber, carrot, and shredded scallions, drizzled with green mustard, Sichuan pepper, red oil, sweet sauce, and sprinkled with sesame seeds. They are “setting up a Dragon Gate formation” – an expression used in China to refer to neighbourhood friends coming together to chat, gossip, and share stories. Food makes these people happy; they enjoy a beautiful and joyful life.” (World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Bimi®)

“Window in the Vineyard” by Alessandro Anglisani (Italy). Errazuriz Wine Photographer of the Year – Places.
“This image, taken in July 2024, captures a vineyard in Oltrepò Pavese, a historical region in the province of Pavia in Lombardy, Italy. The trees on the road act as a backdrop to emphasise the scene in its natural and, at the same time, anthropized beauty.” (World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Bimi®)

“Flour Swirl” by Dorien Paymans (Netherlands). Winner, Cream of the Crop.
“Part of the series ‘Perfectly Imperfect’ where I captured the process of baking sourdough bread while incorporating the symbolism of the Japanese Ensō sign (imperfect circle). Preparing food and photography are both mindful activities where calmness and creativity exist in the moment of creation. This makes the combination of both so magical.”

“Hogging the Limelight” by Susan Lang (UK). Winner, Food in the Field.
“A litter of free range Large Black piglets. The Large Black is a rare breed and is Britain’s only all black pig. Adults weigh up to 350kg and have distinctive floppy ears that fall over their eyes, making them a challenge to photograph! They will eat anything, including my flash diffuser.”(World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Bimi®)

“La Matassa. A Real Work of Craftsmanship” by Diego Marinelli (Italy). The Philip Harben Award for Food in Action supported by International Salon Culinaire.
“Fresh pasta is a symbol that represents the cultural richness of the Italian territory. An image of its processing becomes a means to telling history, traditions and centuries-old passions. Matassa pasta is made in Irpinia in southern Italy with a truly exceptional technique.” (World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Bimi®)

“Buddhist Offerings” by Ryan Kost (USA). Winner, The Bimi® Prize.
“Monks at a temple in Angkor Wat, Cambodia prepare traditional Buddhist offerings. This practice is deeply symbolic in Buddhism, often representing celebration, gratitude, respect and devotion to the Buddha, and the teaching and monastic community. The intricate arrangement of fruits and flowers emphasises mindfulness and respect.” (World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Bimi®)

“Sunshine Gin” by Alessandra Bartoloni (Italy). Winner, World of Drinks.
“Sun, ice and a gin tonic. Condensation drips, the table’s a mess, and the afternoon heat is winning the battle. But who cares? It’s cold, it’s strong and it’s exactly what this day needed. Cheers to the simple pleasures!” (World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Bimi®)

“Laundry Day” by Pieter D'Hoop (Belgium). MPB Award for Innovation.
“Sometimes I have some weird ideas that randomly come to my mind. I had an idea of putting an octopus inside a washing machine or tumble dryer. This is one of the results.” (World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Bimi®)

“Squash Blossom” by Linda Repasky (USA). Winner, On the Phone in support of Action Against Hunger.
“In the field, squash blossoms and their curly tendrils have an undeniable charm.”(World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Bimi®)

“Ramadan Special Parantha Halwa” by Debdatta Chakraborty (India). Winner, Street Food.
“During the Ramadan months, Kolkata turns into a foodie's paradise. Just after noon, huge ovens are lit and giant paranthas are prepared for the iftar. Not only Muslims, but people from all communities, throng around the food stalls, making it a culinary haven.” (World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Bimi®)

“Family” by Maja Kowalczyk (Poland). Winner, Jamie Oliver Youth Prize 12 and under.
“Since we moved into the house, my parents have started a garden with vegetables and fruit. I like to pull carrots the most, because you never know what size and shape is hiding underground. It's always a surprise!” (World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Bimi®)

“Pavlova’s Arabesque” by Audrey Laferrière (Canada). Tiptree Cake Award (World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Bimi®)

“Early Morning Puris, Delhi, India” by Indigo Larmour (Ireland). Winner, Jamie Oliver Youth Prize 13 -17.
“Pooris are a staple breakfast dish in the winding alleyways of Old Delhi. Frequently cooked in huge vats of boiling oil on street corners and served with chole, a chickpea dish.”(World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Bimi®)

“Delfina, A Pasta Granny” by Lizzie Mayson (UK). Winner, Claire Aho Award for Women Photographers.
“This is Delfina, I took her portrait as part of a bigger project documenting pasta grannies in Italy. Here, we are in the region of Lazio. On the bed is an angel hair type of pasta called Fieno di Canepina. It is technically very hard to make: Delfina rolls the pasta out, flicks a huge piece the size of the table out like a bed sheet, folds it concertina style, then slices it up finely. The best part is that she makes this huge amount then delivers it to the local church where they cook it up and feed homeless people.” (World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Bimi®)

“Find Your Way To Me” by Costas Millas (UK). Winner, Hotel Art Group Food Stylist Award.
“Part of a wider food story concept titled Spaghetti. Exploring how ingredients could be styled in playful and innovative ways – a spaghetti strand maze guarding a delicious meatball at its center. Can you find your way to it?”(World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Bimi®)