Power

Edward John Grambeau Australia

Exploding Swell

On a Pacific reef, a massive swell surges, its waves crashing with unrelenting force. Spray erupts upward, curling in wild arcs before collapsing into the churning sea. The ocean’s raw power is vividly displayed through this magnificent wave, a dream for surfers and a captivating subject for photographers.

Christopher Fallows South Africa

Time Will Tell

A matriarch elephant leads her family, her long ivory tusks gleaming. Her massive form strides purposefully, calves trailing close behind. The dry grasslands stretch wide, with faint heat haze on the horizon. Having miraculously survived a poacher's snare and a hunter's gun before, will she and her family be able to survive the ravages of a changing climate as well?

Yousef Bin Shakar Al Zaabi United Arab Emirates

‏Sunset Over the Sands

‏ As the sun begins to bow toward the horizon, wrapping Liwa’s dunes in a golden hue tinged with nostalgia, a moment unlike any other is born. A camel herder walks calmly across the endless sands, standing tall as if he were part of the eternal landscape. This silent story is told through light and shadow, between a herder and his camel, between earth and sky. The colours of dusk blend with the breath of the dunes, providing depth of reflection and a tranquillity that gently touches the soul.

Hashem Dardowra Syrian Arab Republic

Rise of the Phoenix

In Syria's Idlib province, and amidst airstrike wreckage, 14-year-old Khaled emerges as Syria Civil Defence (the White Helmets) free him from the rubble. Rescue teams used power drills, hand winches and acoustic probes to pinpoint the boy's position, and reduce the chance of secondary collapse, as warplanes circle above. Despite noticeable head wounds and a blood-stained bandage, Khaled manages a faint smile that signals he is responsive and defiant.

Deepak Singh Dogra India

Ultimate Power

The sun powers almost all the natural processes that keep our planet functioning. It is what makes the Earth habitable. The sun is also the primary source of most forms of energy we use today, from solar power to even the ancient sunlight stored in the form of fossil fuels. Just one hour of sunlight has enough energy to meet all of earth’s electricity needs for an entire year. It is the ultimate source of energy — massive, continuous and overwhelmingly powerful.

Scott Portelli Australia

Jetstreams

A raft of penguins creates a vortex of air bubbles that are released from their feathers as they propel themselves towards the Antarctic depths. Bubbles act as a coat around the penguins, allowing them to reach speeds of over 20km an hour underwater, making them the fastest of any diving bird. Their stream-lined bodies and strong 'flippers' also allow them to dive more than 200 metres to feed on swarms of krill. Penguins will dive more than 400 times a day in order to continuously feed on the abundant food sources and ensure sustenance for themselves and their newborn chicks back at their colonies.

Karine Aigner United States of America

Jungle Keeper

In Yasuni National Park, a majestic male jaguar prowls through a clay lick in the lush Amazon depths, its muddy paws leaving soft imprints on the mossy bank. In the humid gloom, the jaguar's spotted coat gleams against rugged rocks and shallow rippling water. Even from over 100 feet away, its piercing gaze commands awe, a rare public appearance before quietly slipping back into the dense forest.

Jinhua Zhi United States of America

The Flying Hatchet

On a cliff in the wild, peregrine falcons defend their nest from larger pelicans. The fastest birds on earth dive-bomb intruders with speed and agility, occasionally striking with fierce attacks. Though pelicans pose no threat to chicks, the falcons’ relentless protective instincts and alertness ensure safety for their offspring. On most occasions, the attacked pelicans manage to fly away but in some instances they are killed due to the high speed of the pursuit.

Marcin Giba Poland

The Lake's Eye

Above Rybnik in southern Poland, a drone captures a frozen lake whose icy surface forms a striking prophet’s eye. Within the lake, unique snow and ice patterns emerge, a rare gift from nature’s artistry. This fleeting beauty, part of an unfortunately vanishing winter, hints at a childhood frost now fading yet still whispers of ephemeral elegance against a stark, white expanse.

Karim Iliya United States of America

Blood of the Earth

Above Iceland’s Fagradalsfjall volcano, glowing lava spews in violent bursts, reshaping the nearby landscape. These mythical forces embody creation and destruction, birthing empires while reshaping terrain, fuelling life as Earth’s lifeblood. They are not just an earthly phenomenon, but are also found in our solar system and across the cosmos, dotting planets and moons with molten cores.

Chrisander Bergan Norway

One More Flight

A drone sweeps from Africa’s tribal gatherings to Svalbard’s abandoned cities, contrasting power and silence. The aerial footage captures real moments — loud energy and still weight — across diverse landscapes across the world. This global quilt, stitched from above, reflects a shared planet, inviting awe at nature and humanity’s intertwined stories unfolding in every frame.

Shantha Kumar Nagendran India

Origin to Orbit

A journey from untouched forests and snowy peaks to sprawling skylines, tracing humanity’s evolution. The aerial narrative spans villages to space, weaving seven years of diverse landscapes into a story of progress and growth. Above the clouds, Earth’s fragility shines, a sky-high reflection of growth and belonging.

Vladimir Tadic Bosnia and Herzegovina

Victory and Defeat

In a boxing ring, a referee grips the wrists of two teenage girls, one of them about to be declared the winner. As the referee raises the victor’s arm, she bursts into a moment of pure euphoria, her face lit with joy and triumph, realising that months of training, sacrifice and determination have led to this achievement. Beside her, the defeated opponent is overwhelmed by disappointment. Her body language speaks volumes, a mix of exhaustion, heartbreak and the sting of coming so close. Yet, in that contrast between joy and sorrow lies the essence of competitive sport.

Ladislav Perenyi Germany

Apex of Grace

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Darja Varfolomeev of Germany soars to gold in rhythmic gymnastics, her split leap defying gravity with a black ball perfectly poised above. Clad in a shimmering gold-embellished leotard, she became the first German rhythmic gymnast to ever win an Olympic gold medal following her performance in Paris. This moment freezes her triumph, a breathtaking fusion of strength and artistry that crowned her Olympic championship.

Masatoshi Ujihara Japan

The Madison

During a rider changeover in the Madison event at the Japan Track Cup, two cyclists clasp hands, one propelling the other with explosive force. Their legs blur, bikes tilting on the curved track. In track cycling, where athletes are forced to compete alone, the Madison is unique in that two riders form a powerful tag team and race toward the finish line together. This impressive spectacle, involves rider's solely relying on their leg strength as they hold hands and push each other forward to accelerate. When their breathing is in sync, one of them is propelled forward with explosive acceleration, overwhelming the other teams and cutting through the air.

Ali Jadallah Palestinian Territory

Burden of Survival

For two years, the Gaza Strip has been engulfed by relentless destruction and death, with its people bearing the heavy burden of survival. Yet, during the sacred month of Ramadan, they choose life, coming together to break their fast amidst the rubble. They hold onto a dream of a final photograph, one captured after the war, when homes are rebuilt and loved ones are reunited once again.

Marek Biegalski Poland

Whispers of Light

Utah’s Factory Butte is home to breathtaking landscapes, towering rocks, expansive deserts and serene canyons that offer an unparalleled canvas for nature’s artistry. Light plays a key role in transforming these dramatic terrains, revealing a spectrum of contrasts from soft, pale hues at dawn to bold, saturated tones at sunset. It doesn’t just illuminate the scenery, it brings it to life, creating moods and enhancing textures in ways that captivate the soul.