From pristine nature to penetrating portraits; Winners of Sony Photography 2026

Finally, the wait is over and the world of photography has released its breath. The winners of the “Free Competition” section were announced at the global event “Sony International Photography Competition 2026”; An event that is more than a competition, it is an annual showcase for the most powerful visual stories from around the world. The jury selected dozens of photographers as the finalists among hundreds of thousands of submitted works. These photographers are chosen not just for their technical skill, but for their unique ability to capture a fleeting moment and turn it into an eternal narrative.

Looking at the list of winners is a quick trip around the world and each photo is a window to a corner of this vast planet. Portraits have a strange power this year. Faces that tell stories of love, suffering, resistance and hope without saying a word. Photographers have managed to cross the surface and penetrate deep into the soul of their subjects; A work that is possible only with empathy and a penetrating look. Of course, the technical skill in these works is undeniable. The play with light and shadow, bold compositions and creative use of color have turned each of these photos into a photography classroom. These images are not just beautiful; They are intelligently and calculatedly created. These winning frames are more than just eye-catching images. They are, in fact, a family album for contemporary man; A visual account of our world in 2026, with all its beauty, contrasts and dreams. (121 Clicks)

Photographer: Markus Naarttijärvi / 121Clicks

Photographer: Hanjun Zhang / 121Clicks

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Photographer: Tanveer Hassan Rohan / 121Clicks

Photographer: Klaus Lenzen / 121Clicks

Photographer: Siavash Ajjali / 121Clicks

Photographer: Chukwudebelu Ojekwe / 121Clicks

Photographer: Fritz Rumpf / 121Clicks

Photographer: Claudia Behrensen / 121Clicks

Photographer: Toshio Ishido / 121Clicks

Photographer: Ali Zulqadri

Photographer: Matteo Redaelli / 121Clicks

Photographer: Francisco Lima Saraiva / 121Clicks

Photographer: Cong Lin / 121Clicks

Photographer: Lisa K. Kuhn / 121Clicks

Photographer: Mustafa Shorbaji / 121Clicks

Photographer: Camila de Medeiros / 121Clicks

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Cover photo source: 121Clicks | Photographer: Klaus Hellmich (blue arctic fox in a blizzard)