The 17th Epson International Pano Awards celebrated the year’s exceptional panoramic photography, crowning Spanish photographer Daniel Viñé Garcia as the Open Photographer of the Year.
Garcia captured attention with his image, “The Sleeping Giant,” showcasing Parinacota Volcano in Chile. This image was part of a 360-degree aerial panorama crafted from 33 exposures. He captured a breathtaking scene, where the fading light painted magenta hues over the volcanoes and high-altitude lakes.
Garcia’s other notable entries included the “Cathedral of Starlight,” a night panorama at 3,100 meters in the Argentine Puna, and “My Perfect Night,” taken on a salt flat in Catamarca at 3,300 meters.
The Pano Awards: An Expansive Global Competition
This year’s competition attracted 4,084 entries from 93 countries, marking a 19% increase from 2025. Of these, 2,122 were in the Open competition, 1,962 in the Amateur, and 680 in new Aerial categories.
The Epson Digital Art Prize was claimed by Preeti and Prashant Chacko. Their entry, showcasing Southern white rhinos at Kenya‘s Solio Game Reserve, demonstrated exceptional post-processing and photographic skill.
Continuing the appreciation for environmental wonders, you might enjoy how Megumi Ueda’s mount Fuji photos capture mesmerizing landscapes through her lens.
Unforgettable Captures in Untamed Landscapes
Mikel Iraeta of Spain emerged victorious in the Open Nature and Landscape category with “Double Arch on Milford Sound.” Capturing this image required 107 photographs and overcoming extreme weather challenges typical of New Zealand.
“Milford Sound, with its frequent rainfall, presented a myriad of challenges,” Iraeta noted. “The final image captures a rare clear night perfect for photographing the Milky Way‘s double arc.”
Urban Panoramas with Astronomical Flair
Xuecheng Liu of the United States won the Open Built Environment category with “Center of the Cosmos,” a dazzling aerial panorama of Times Square stitched from 25 frames. Liu reimagined the iconic location, transforming its lights into a cosmic display.
Adrià Goula, renowned for his skill in capturing architectural details, shines similar mastery in his architectural photography exhibit in Barcelona, making it worth exploring for cityscape photography enthusiasts.
Aurora Wonders in Iceland
Tomás Sánchez Ruiz from Spain was named Amateur Photographer of the Year. In his “Double Arch Over Stokksnes,” Ruiz captured the aurora, unexpected but breathtaking of the aurora, unexpected but breathtaking over snow-draped black sands. This competition is one of the world’s leading photography awards.
For a comprehensive look at all the winners and to learn about the next competition, visit the Pano Awards website.
Source: petapixel.com
Frequently asked questions
Who won the Open Photographer of the Year in 2026?
Spanish photographer Daniel Viñé Garcia won the Open Photographer of the Year with his image, ‘The Sleeping Giant,’ showcasing Parinacota Volcano in Chile.
How many entries were in the 2026 Epson Pano Awards?
The 2026 Epson Pano Awards attracted 4,084 entries from 93 countries, with 2,122 in the Open competition, 1,962 in the Amateur, and 680 in new Aerial categories.
Who won the Epson Digital Art Prize?
Preeti and Prashant Chacko won the Epson Digital Art Prize for their entry showcasing Southern white rhinos at Kenya’s Solio Game Reserve.
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