Portfolio Theme
Light defines the landscape. Whether shaped by nature or built by human hands, landscapes are constantly changing – transformed by light, weather, and perspective. A familiar scene can become extraordinary for a fleeting moment, revealing depth, drama, or subtle beauty that exists only for those ready to see it.
Landscape photography is not just about location – it’s about interpretation. The interplay of light and form can elevate the mundane, emphasise contrast, or expose raw, unfiltered reality.
This category challenges you to go beyond the obvious view. Through a carefully curated portfolio, show how light, atmosphere, and composition come together to define a place.
What subjects can you include?
Submit a portfolio of four images (colour or black & white) that explore natural or urban landscapes in a cohesive and compelling way.
Your work might include:
- Expansive vistas or intimate scenes within the landscape
- Natural environments – mountains, coastlines, forests, deserts
- Urban environments – cityscapes, architecture, industrial spaces
- The impact of changing light, weather, and atmosphere
- Scenes shaped by natural, artificial, or mixed lighting
You are free to experiment with perspective – from ground level to aerial viewpoints, including drone photography – and may use filters where appropriate.
Think beyond simple beauty.
Your portfolio should show variety and intention – capturing contrast, mood, and transformation. Reveal not just how a place looks, but how it feels in a specific moment shaped by light, time, and environment.
By entering this category twice, or entering this category once plus one of the other four-image portfolio categories once, you will automatically be given a FREE entry for overall winner of the 2026 awards and be considered for the top award and the title of Travel Photographer of the Year 2026.
ALL finalists in the portfolio categories will be considered for one of three special judges’ awards. The three selected finalists (who can come from any of the four portfolio categories) will have a portfolio review by a leading New York photographer’s agent.
What are the judges looking for?
A portfolio of four related images that highlight the beauty or ruggedness, fragility or robustness and resilience, of our natural or urban landscapes. Bring us the drama and/or beauty of either and show the skills of composition combined with capturing the moment.
Am I eligible?
Four images per portfolio.
How many images?
This category is open to all photographers aged 19 and above.
How many times can I enter?
You can enter this category as many times as you want to.
What is the category entry fee?
Entry options:
TPOTY Pass – unlimited entries until 16th July 2026 for a single £99 fee
- £28 for one four-image portfolio entry
OR ENTERING MORE THAN ONE PORTFOLIO
- £36 for two four-image portfolios.
OR
- ‘Two Plus Four’ 12-image combination – 2 four-image portfolios plus 4 One Shot entries, entered at the same time, for £59 (full price £104 if entered individually).
Do I need to shoot new material to be able to enter this category?
No! We have always allowed entrants to submit images from their archives – i.e. contemporary photography shot in recent years – and have always said that ‘travel starts when you leave your home’. So it’s your choice. You can travel locally or travel further afield. Entries close on 12th October.
Digital Manipulation
Please see the information on digital manipulation and note that entrants who are shortlisted as finalists will be required to provide the original image files (RAW or jpeg as shot).
No AI generated images will be allowed and any entered will be disqualified.
Prizes
The winner of this category will receive £750 cash plus Radiant Photo imaging software.
The judges will also select their favourite image from all the submitted portfolios. The winner of the Best Single Image award for each portfolio category receives a Genesis Imaging giclée exhibition print.
Special portfolio category award: ALL finalists in the portfolio categories will be considered for one of three special judges’ awards. The three selected finalists (who can come from any of the four portfolio categories) will have a portfolio review by a leading New York photographer’s agent, Frank Meo.
Image © Pawel Zygmunt & Magdalena Strakova
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