The Jury 2026
The jury changes each year to bring diverse perspectives, expertise, and aesthetic approaches to the judging process, ensuring variety and fairness.
Each year, the jury is newly assembled. Experienced nature photographers, dedicated conservationists, biologists, and respected figures from the photography industry contribute their trained eye, professional expertise, and passion for nature and photography to the evaluation of the submitted images. The judging process takes place in two stages: First, each juror independently reviews and rates the entries in a digital preselection phase. This is followed by a multi-day, in-person jury meeting, where the final selection is made through in-depth discussion and collective decision-making.
The jury's decision is final and cannot be contested.
Stefan Rosengarten
Stefan lives with his wife and two children in the Ruhr area (Germany), where he works as a chemist. However, his true passion lies in nature photography. He first discovered this passion as a teenager during a family trip to Yosemite National Park. There, he encountered an elk by the riverbank, grabbed his camera, and was instantly captivated. Since that defining moment, his fascination with wildlife and landscapes has never left him. Today, alongside his professional career, he devotes himself wholeheartedly to photography, capturing special encounters with nature and sharing his impressions through striking images.
Birgit Potthoff
On her photographic explorations, Birgit focuses on subjects found in secluded places. For many years, she has dedicated herself especially to macro photography of “icescapes.” Even in frost-free seasons, she seeks ways to use the camera not merely to document but to create—making her own emotions visible. In doing so, she draws attention to seemingly unnoticed details that nonetheless feel familiar to her. Her goal is to capture the relevance and aesthetics of transience—through the interplay of light, color, and depth of field, as well as through a conscious reduction to the essential.
Florian Smit
Nature photography has accompanied Florian since his childhood. He completed his education as a photographer as one of the top graduates in Germany. In autumn 2015, he immediately set out on his own as a freelance nature photographer. Today, he is among the most renowned in his field, carrying out photography projects worldwide, receiving numerous awards in international competitions, and offering inspiring workshops as well as individual coaching. In addition, he writes for renowned magazines and shares his impressive adventures and journeys through captivating live presentations.