Epson Pano Awards 2025 Winners Prove Patience Creates Masterpieces

The 2025 Epson International Pano Awards have just been announced. And once again, they deliver a breathtaking celebration of panoramic photography from every corner of the globe. From dreamlike 360° landscapes to immersive nighttime vistas, the winners this year have truly pushed the boundaries of visual storytelling.

Now in its 16th edition, the Epson Pano Awards remains the world’s largest competition dedicated to panoramic photography. Supported by Epson Australia and Epson Southeast Asia, the competition offers thousands in cash and gear prizes. And like every year, the images come from both professionals and newcomers alike.

Open Photographer of the Year: Alessandro Cantarelli

Italian fine-art landscape photographer Alessandro Cantarelli (Alex Wides) was named Open Photographer of the Year. He also won the top Nature/Landscape prize with three stunning entries: Last Fireworks, Jackpot, and Mann.

In Last Fireworks, Wides captured the surreal transformation of the desert sky during sunset. “Layer after layer of clouds lit up, painting the desert with fire and gold,” the photographer recalls. Using a fisheye lens and painstaking multi-exposure technique, he created a seamless 360° panorama that immerses the viewer in the fiery glow.

Jackpot brings us to Senja Island, Norway, where Wides struck photographic gold. “The sky exploded in a spectacular half hour of Northern Lights,” Alessandro explains, giving him the “perfect reward after years of waiting.”

Meanwhile, Mann presents a haunting lunar-lit snowscape in the Dolomites. Shot under freezing winds and -15°C temperatures, it’s a 270° panorama that feels otherworldly in its icy silence.

Epson Digital Art Prize: Weaving Visual Poetry

The Epson Digital Art Prize 2025 went to Daniel Viñé of Spain. His evocative coastal image from Vietnam earned praise for both its visual grace and storytelling power. “The nets they mend are not mere tools, but lifelines binding sea and community together,” Viñé explains.

This poetic sensibility also earned him the RAW Planet Award for Cathedral of Shadows, shot in the stark landscapes of Hanksville, Utah. It’s a breathtaking play of light, form, and silence.

Southeast Asia Shines: William Chua Wins Regional Photographer of the Year

The Southeast Asia Open Photographer of the Year went to William Chua from Singapore for his unforgettable shot of the wildebeest migration. Amidst the chaos, he captured a single animal turning back: a moment of unexpected grace and stillness. “In that instant, I knew that was the shot I wanted,” William recalls.

His recognition highlights the growing talent and visual storytelling emerging from Southeast Asia, supported by Epson Singapore’s sponsorship since 2024.

Celebrating Panoramic Diversity

This year’s entries showcased an even greater breadth of subjects and formats, from ultra-wide perspectives to creative macro scenes and abstract compositions formed through crystallization and polarized light. In a nod to the ongoing solar maximum, there were many images of the Northern Lights glowing vibrantly across categories. Innovation shone through in aerial shots, motion captures, and ground-hugging wide-angle compositions.

Curator David Evans praised the 2025 entries for expanding the panoramic medium’s reach:

“This year’s collection reveals sweeping, immersive works that transport viewers deep into the landscapes that inspired them.”

He also noted the new hotspot locations like Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and Tibet alongside classic favorites like Iceland and the Dolomites.

Like every year, the 2025 Epson Pano Awards come with a set of marvelous panoramic photos. Take a look at the rest of the winners below, and head to the contest website for the complete gallery and more information.

More from the Epson International Pano Awards

• The Epson International Pano Awards 2020 is a mind-blowing collection of panoramic images
• Otherworldly abstract landscape wins 2022 Epson International Pano Awards
• Surreal Icelandic landscape wins 2023 Epson International Pano Awards
• 2024 Epson International Pano Awards winning image is out of this world

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