The Mind’s Eye
The Mind’s Eye
May 11, 2026
© Max Chu
From the USA and Canada, via Spain and France, to India, China and Indonesia, the range of the outstanding photographs reaches beyond geographic borders, offering impressive glimpses into different living environments. Selected from among 500 submissions from all over the world, a total of 45 pictures from 15 countries in 4 continents made it into this year’s selection, of which five became the award-winners. The juror in 2026 was none other than iconic Leica photographer Steve McCurry.
The winning pieces reflect the diversity of contemporary photography, and range between documentary, conceptual and poetic approaches. 1st Prize went to Matt McClain for his picture Window to the Past. Among the 45 selected finalists were three Leica photographers: Max Chu with a picture of a young boy with a slingshot; Florian Wurzinger with a picture of a newborn baby; and Thibault Gerbaldi, who impressed with his portrait of two people. Furthermore, there were three women among the top five winners, which confirms the growing presence of female voices within contemporary photography. The three photographers in question are Brooke Shaden, France Leclerc and Beamie Young.
All together, the images aim to underline the power of photography as a universal language: it documents, questions and transforms reality – and it tells stories of human experiences beyond cultural and geographic borders.
Eliza TrappThe winning pieces reflect the diversity of contemporary photography, and range between documentary, conceptual and poetic approaches. 1st Prize went to Matt McClain for his picture Window to the Past. Among the 45 selected finalists were three Leica photographers: Max Chu with a picture of a young boy with a slingshot; Florian Wurzinger with a picture of a newborn baby; and Thibault Gerbaldi, who impressed with his portrait of two people. Furthermore, there were three women among the top five winners, which confirms the growing presence of female voices within contemporary photography. The three photographers in question are Brooke Shaden, France Leclerc and Beamie Young.
All together, the images aim to underline the power of photography as a universal language: it documents, questions and transforms reality – and it tells stories of human experiences beyond cultural and geographic borders.
© Max Chu