News

Environmental Photographer of the Year 2026, and Winner, Changemakers, by Britta Jaschinski
 

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation has announced the winners of the Environmental Photography Award 2026. This year’s top honor went to wildlife photojournalist Britta Jaschinski, whose winning image, “Handprint on Sea Turtle,” highlights the growing role of science and forensics in protecting endangered species and combating wildlife crime.

The photo, which also won the “Changemakers” category, shows the sinister print made by a human hand on the shell of a green sea turtle. Handprints and fingerprints, blood and other bodily fluids, and gunpowder residues, among other things, can be revealed using special fluorescent powder dyes and shooting under ultraviolet light. The method can secure valuable forensic evidence that helps to catch poachers and animal traffickers. “I am deeply grateful to HSH Prince Albert II and his Foundation for bringing us together in support of our precious planet,” said Jaschinski. “It is a true honor to be named Environmental Photographer of the Year 2026, recognized by an esteemed jury among such distinguished work.”

Some of that distinguished work comes well-known underwater photographers in the DPG community. The winner of the “Ocean” category is Henley Spiers, who captures a wedge-tailed shearwater plunging into a football-pitch-sized school of lanternfish off Costa Rica, while a runner-up in the category is Shane Gross, with a beautiful shot of schooling bigeye trevally under a stormy sky in the Seychelles.

Congratulations to all the amazing winners—check them out on the competition website.
 

Winner, Ocean, by Henley Spiers
 

Runner-up, Ocean, by Shane Gross
 

Runner-up, Ocean, by Arnaud Farre
 

Winner, Humanity Vs Nature, by Fernando Faciole
 

Runner-up, Humanity Vs Nature, by Peter McGee