The Best 60 Images Of The Year By Non-Professional Photographers From Around The World

2nd Place / Fine Art/Landscape.

Description: “Early we drove to a spot just outside the town of El Chalten in Argentina. We waited a long time, and nothing happened. It seemed as if the sunrise that day wouldn't happen at all. So we packed away our cameras and were about to leave. Suddenly, a faint glow appeared on a mountain peak, and a few minutes later, the entire mountain range was ablaze with light. We were just able to adjust our cameras and take a few photos, and a short time later, it was all over again. We haven't seen this kind of lighting and the clouds swirling around the mountain peaks again, and we haven't been anywhere else.”

2nd Place / Architecture/Interior.

Description: “13 floor premium residential apartment with a futuristic open air steel-made spiral staircase and atrium leading to the sky. Designed by Japanese architect group called "Workshop" and completed in 1991.”

1st Place / Architecture/Aerial / Drone.

Description: “I wanted to capture the entire Manhattan Bridge in one shot - the beauty of walking through the front beams in New York City and towards the end to the other side in Brooklyn. To create this, I was inspired by the movie Inception.”

2nd Place / Analog / Film/Nature.

Description: “While checking out a cactus garden, I spotted a palm trees in the distance and suddenly got hit with a major thirst.”

3rd Place / Nature/Environmental / Editorial.

Description: “When a large piece of ice broke away from the glacier with a loud noise, a seagull fled scared and entered in one of the eight photos I took in quick succession.”

2nd Place / Editorial / Press/Other.

Description: “I was lucky enough to follow the Dinky Ponies (a group of therapy ponies) visit the Cardiology ward at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon, UK. Although an unusual therapy animal, their work here at the hospital is huge! They have a huge impact on people who may be suffering from mental health difficulties as well as long term health conditions. Some of the patients have not been outside for a long period of time, it was beautiful seeing their faces light up. The joy these tiny ponies spread is infectious and you'll witness this in the images.”

2nd Place / Editorial / Press/Environmental.

Description: “Deep and drinking water in Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan province, in addition to contaminated soil, is also contaminated with eight heavy elements, which means genocide in this region in the near future.”

2nd Place / Architecture/Other.

Description: “Captured at the LESS Pavilion in Canberra’s Dairy Road Precinct, this image explores the intersection of architecture and movement. Designed by Chilean architect Pezo von Ellrichshausen, the pavilion features 36 monumental concrete columns that rise skyward, evoking Canberra’s brutalist legacy. I visited on a cloudy day, hoping for a dramatic sky to contrast with the stark geometry and I wasn’t disappointed. As a perfect surprise, a plane soared overhead enabling me to create this composite image by adding motion and scale to a moment of architectural stillness.”

1st Place / Event/Traditions and Cultures.

Description: “Each night in Varanasi, the Ganga Aarti ceremony unfolds in a blaze of fire and devotion. From the ghats and gently drifting boats, people gather to witness this sacred ritual along the timeless river.”

2nd Place / Event/Other.

2nd Place / Nature/Domestic Animals.

Description: “The Palio della Tonna takes place in Civita di Bagnregio on the first Sunday of June and the second Sunday of August, in the square of San Donato. Each jockey completes three laps of the square, hence the name Palio della Tonna, and then continues taking part in a series of races. An event that recalls ancient traditions and a deep bond between man and nature.”

3rd Place / Event/Other.

Description: “This photo was taken during the "WEC event", a gathering that brings together street artists, circus performers, and fire art specialists from across Europe. The artist captured here practices fire arts, a demanding discipline that blends technical skill, physical commitment, and artistic expression. The performance took place in the evening, in a historic outdoor setting, highlighting the contrast between the timeless nature of the location and the fleeting intensity of the act. The aim of this photograph was to capture the emotional power of these extreme living arts.”

3rd Place / Editorial / Press/Travel / Tourism.

Description: “Selling flowers to make a living, these young girls trade pieces of their childhood for survival. Yet, innocence lingers—in the plush slippers of one child, a tender reminder of a youth overshadowed by responsibility. A bittersweet image, marked by resilience.”

3rd Place / Architecture/Industrial.

Description: “The SCA Obbola paper mill appears as a fiery mirage across the frozen Umeå river on a November night.”

1st Place / Architecture/Historic.

Description: “The Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, a remarkable landmark in history and culture.”

Architecture Photographer Of the Year.

Description: “Heydar Alive Center in Baku in Azerbaijan one of the unique and beautiful building in the world.”

3rd Place / Architecture/Aerial / Drone.

Description: “On October 12, 2024, as I passed by the Suzhou Taihu Avenue Overpass, looking at this busiest elevated bridge in Suzhou, inspiration struck me. So, I took out my drone and captured this scene from a high altitude. Looking down from above, it resembled a spider web. To better showcase the charm of Taihu Avenue, I utilized the mask technique in PS to erase some irrelevant elements such as cars and pedestrians from the picture. Then, I began to adjust the composition and color of the picture in PS. After a series of operations, this picture was perfectly presented before my eyes.”

1st Place / Architecture/Abstract.

Description: “This photo captures 'Space Walk' in Pohang, South Korea—an architectural marvel that feels like a stroll through space. This walkable sculpture was created as part of a joint effort by the city of Pohang and South Korean steel company POSCO, in order to increase local tourism. It is meant to evoke a feeling of reaching utopia and "swimming in space above the clouds", as well as to symbolize aspects of Pohang's prominent manufacturing and steel industries. To enhance the cosmic impression, supporting pillars were excluded, and the moon was photographed separately and added in post-processing.”

2nd Place / Event/Traditions and Cultures.

Description: “Venice Carnival - famous for its extravagant, elaborate masks and costumes, is a paradise for strong colors and impressive portraits.”

2nd Place / Editorial / Press/Travel / Tourism.

Description: Cityscape of the famous red Hong Kong Minibuses.