The latest winners of the prestigious Epson International Pano Awards have been announced, showcasing breathtaking landscapes from around the world. This year’s top prize went to Kelvin Yuen, a talented landscape photographer based in Hong Kong, for his mesmerizing image capturing a lightning bolt illuminating the mountainous terrain of Guilin, China.
Yuen’s winning shot, taken with a drone, depicts the surreal moment when a thunderstorm passed over Guilin, creating a dramatic and ethereal atmosphere. Despite facing challenging weather conditions, Yuen managed to capture the perfect shot after taking 700 photos of the scene, with 40 of them capturing the elusive lightning strike.
The Epson International Pano Awards received over 4,500 entries from photographers worldwide, both professional and amateur. The competition celebrates not only nature and landscapes but also the built environment and architecture. Entries are judged in various categories, including VR and 360-degree imagery, vertical format, aerial views, and digital post-processing.
One notable aspect of the competition is the requirement for images to adhere to a minimum aspect ratio of 2:1 to be considered as panoramas. This allows for a diverse range of photographic techniques, including digitally stitched images like Cassio Vasconcellos’ striking aerial views of disused airplanes and industrial sites.
The winners’ gallery on the Pano Awards website showcases a wide array of stunning images, from Francisco Negroni’s captivating shot of volcanoes in Pucón, Chile, to Daniel Reiter’s mesmerizing image of the Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. Each photograph tells a unique story and showcases the beauty of our world from different perspectives.
As the entries for the 2025 contest are now open, photographers from around the world are encouraged to submit their best panoramic shots for a chance to be recognized in this prestigious competition. The Epson International Pano Awards continue to inspire and celebrate the art of panoramic photography, highlighting the beauty and diversity of our planet for all to appreciate.
