Dive into the world of nature photography - Glanzlichter 2026!
This beautifully crafted volume brings together the most stunning images from the renowned competition that inspires photographers from around the globe to capture the diversity and magic of nature in all its facets.
All Over Winner | Rahul Sachdev | India
The All Over Winner is supported by:
The Origin Story
On the vast, sun-bleached lake bed of Amboseli, dust devils rise and dissolve with quiet indifference. They are frequent here, fleeting spirals of wind and earth that dance without warning, then vanish without memory. For years, Rahul watched them form and fade, waiting - not for the dust, but for a moment that meant something. Then, one afternoon as the storm clouds gathered on the horizon and the dust devils danced, a giraffe emerged from the horizon and walked, unhurried and unaware, into the heart of the spinning earth. For a few seconds, the ordinary became extraordinary. Form met chaos. Stillness met motion. It took Rahul nearly a decade to find an image that spoke to how he feels about Amboseli, its quiet poetry, its unpredictability, and its grace. This photograph is not about the dust devil, nor the giraffe. It is about the rare alignment of patience, place, and possibility.
Biography
Rahul Sachdev is an Indian wildlife photographer whose work explores the quieter, more introspective dimensions of the natural world. Drawn to ambiguity, atmosphere, and form, he often works in conditions where subjects emerge and recede—through dust, fog, snow, or darkness. For Rahul, photography is less about documenting behavior and more about responding to presence. His images reflect moments of stillness and tension, where the boundary between subject and environment begins to dissolve.
His work has been recognized internationally at the Hamdan International Photography Award (HIPA), Wildlife Photographer of the Year (WPY), Asferico, Nature Photographer of the Year (NPOTY), and Nature‘s Best, among others. These recognitions reflect a visual approach rooted in restraint and emotional resonance.
Through Kipekee Journeys, the experiential photography venture he co-founded, Rahul leads small, immersive workshops in remote natural locations. These journeys emphasize observation, patience, and personal expression, encouraging photographers to move beyond technique and develop an authentic visual voice.
For Rahul, photography is a way of witnessing — an attempt to translate fleeting encounters into something lasting, while honoring the fragility and dignity of the natural world.
Jury’s Comment
With nearly 25,000 submissions, the jury quickly realized how intense the coming days would be. The preliminary round alone demanded the highest level of concentration from each individual juror: within just one week, thousands of images per category had to be reduced to a manageable selection – a task requiring equal parts experience, intuition, and decisiveness.
During the jury weekend in the artists’ village of Worpswede, the work went far beyond simply viewing and evaluating photographs; it sparked passionate discussion. Conversations over dinner were warm and harmonious, yet at the judging table distinctly different perspectives emerged. Fundamental questions were raised: Can an image be a winning image if the camera operates “on its own”? How should we assess photographs that appear to be painstakingly crafted compared to those created during organized photographic tours? And ultimately, what carries greater weight – the story behind the image, or the strength and impact of the image itself?
It was precisely these intense yet respectful debates that made the judging process so special. They demonstrated how vibrant nature photography truly is – and how seriously, yet appreciatively, each individual image was considered
The Jury 2026
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.