Landscape photography remains one of the most popular competition categories, and the range of contests available reflects that. Whether you shoot sweeping mountain panoramas or quiet woodland scenes, there's a competition that fits your style.
Here's our guide to the best landscape photography competitions open in 2026.
Top Landscape Competitions
Landscape Photographer of the Year
The Landscape Photographer of the Year is one of the most prestigious landscape-specific competitions in the world. Based in the UK but open internationally, it consistently attracts tens of thousands of entries. The winning images are exhibited and published in an annual book, making it a genuine career milestone for landscape photographers.
Why enter: The exhibition and book publication give winners exceptional visibility. The judging panel has deep landscape expertise.
Epson International Pano Awards
The Epson Pano Awards is the world's largest panoramic photography competition. If you shoot wide — whether stitched panoramas or native wide-format images — this is the definitive contest. Categories include both open and amateur divisions.
Why enter: Panoramic photography is a niche that rewards technical skill. Less competition than general landscape contests means better odds for strong work.
International Garden Photographer of the Year
While technically focused on gardens and botanical subjects, IGPOTY attracts landscape photographers who work with natural environments. Categories include Trees, Breathing Spaces, and Gardens, offering creative flexibility.
Why enter: The crossover between garden and landscape photography is significant. Botanical gardens and designed landscapes are valid subjects.
Outdoor Photographer of the Year
The Outdoor Photographer of the Year covers landscapes alongside adventure and wildlife. It's a broader competition, but the landscape categories are strong and the prize pool is generous.
Why enter: Multiple categories mean you can enter landscape work alongside adventure or nature images from the same trip.
What Makes a Winning Landscape Image?
Competition-winning landscape photographs share several qualities that set them apart from the thousands of technically competent images judges review.
Beyond the Golden Hour
Yes, good light matters. But judges have seen endless golden-hour images. The most memorable landscape competition entries often feature unusual conditions: storms breaking, fog rolling through valleys, the harsh midday light of a desert. Don't limit yourself to the safe hours.
Composition That Leads the Eye
Strong foreground interest, clear visual flow from front to back, and deliberate use of leading lines remain the foundations of competition-winning landscape images. But the best entries go further — they create a sense of depth and atmosphere that makes the viewer feel present in the scene.
Post-Processing Restraint
Over-processed landscapes are the most common reason for rejection in landscape competitions. Judges can spot oversaturated skies, excessive HDR, and aggressive luminosity masking immediately. The trend in winning landscape images is toward naturalism — images that look like they could have been experienced in person.
Tips for Landscape Competition Entries
- Research the competition's style. Browse previous winners. Some competitions favour dramatic conditions; others prefer quiet, contemplative scenes.
- Enter your most distinctive work. Iconic locations like Kirkjufell or Horseshoe Bend appear in thousands of entries. If you shoot famous locations, bring a genuinely unique perspective.
- Consider less popular categories. If a competition offers both a general landscape category and a more specific one (urban landscape, aerial, minimalist), the specific category typically has fewer entries.
- Print quality matters. If the competition involves print judging, ensure your image holds up at large sizes. Pixel-level sharpness and clean shadows are essential.
Budget-Friendly Options
Not every landscape competition requires a significant entry fee. The Wiki Loves Earth competition is completely free and focuses on natural heritage sites worldwide. It's an excellent starting point for photographers who want competition experience without financial risk.
The landscape photography competition space is well-served by high-quality contests at every price point. Choose competitions that match both your budget and your ambitions, and remember that a single strong image entered thoughtfully will always outperform a scattergun approach.