Travel has a way of stirring something deep inside us — that quiet itch to explore, to wander, to feel small beneath big skies. The 2025 Chromatic Awards captured that feeling perfectly, celebrating travel photography that goes far beyond pretty postcards. This year’s winning images feel alive, soaked in emotion, memory, and movement. Each frame tells a story of place, people, and fleeting moments that most of us only dream of witnessing.
Taking 1st Place, Italian photographer Diego Di Guardo delivers a poetic masterpiece with “Keepers of the River.” Shot on the calm waters of China’s Li River, the image freezes a timeless ritual where a fisherman and his cormorants move in quiet harmony. The soft glow of the lantern feels like a heartbeat in the dark—an intimate reminder of traditions slowly fading yet deeply rooted in history.
2nd Place winner Jurica Galić from Croatia captures raw energy in “Moment of Triumph – Pacu Jawi.” The photograph explodes with motion as riders charge through muddy fields during Indonesia’s legendary bull-racing festival. It’s chaotic, powerful, and deeply human—an image that smells of earth, sweat, and celebration.
Taking 3rd Place, Taiwanese photographer Yao Yuan Shang enchants viewers with “Firefly Evening Party Under the Wooden Bridge.” A quiet, almost mythical scene unfolds as glowing fireflies dance beneath a bridge in a hidden mountain village. It feels like stumbling into a secret the world has carefully protected.
The Chromatic Awards continue to spotlight photographers who don’t just document places—they translate emotion into light. These images remind us why we travel: not just to see, but to feel.
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#1. 1st Place winner: "Keepers of the River" by Diego Di Guardo, Italy
"On the still waters of the Li River, a fisherman and his cormorants breathe as one. The lantern glows like a small domestic sun, guarding a craft that survives only at dawn and in silence. Every movement carries memory, every pause carries time."
#2. 2nd Place winner: "Moment of Triumph – Pacu Jawi" by Jurica Galic, Croatia
"This photograph captures a powerful moment from the traditional Pacu Jawi festival, held in West Sumatra, Indonesia. This centuries-old event, also known as the “mud bull race,” is a celebration marking the end of the rice harvest season. Competitors ride wooden plows between two bulls, racing through muddy fields to demonstrate their strength, balance, and skill."
#3. 3rd Place winner: "Firefly evening party under the wooden bridge" by Yao Yuan Shang, Taiwan
"Under the park bridge in the remote mountainous area, because of the quiet location and natural and pure environment, you can see groups of fireflies flying under the wooden bridge on summer nights, like a fantasy of paradise on earth. This place is only open to the public for sightseeing for one month in the summer, so you can capture the beauty of the moment up close, which makes you feel very lucky and happy."
Honorable Mentions
#4. "Maras Mosaic" by Alexandre Brisson, Switzerland
"The salt terraces of Maras, near Cusco, unfold like an abstract painting across the Andean mountainside. Each pool catches light in a different way — gold, white, and blue blending into a natural geometry shaped by time, salt, and human hands. From above, the scene becomes both landscape and pattern, a dialogue between nature’s design and human persistence."
#5. "Back Alley" by Japan
"This is the kind of scenery you can see in the backstreets of Japan. I was very moved by this view."
#6. "Daich Tofu" by Aaron Guy Leroux, United States
"We make a stop at Daich Tofu restaurant/factory. On a cold and rainy day, a young man works diligently in a warm room filled with steam and the mild odor of bean curd. Photo by Aaron Guy Leroux, Taiwan, February 2025"
#7. "Daily train commute" by Jose Almodovar Muñoz, Spain
"He travels alone and barefoot, at the head of the speeding train, seemingly unconcerned about his life. The others enjoy the train ride through Bangladesh."
#8. "Drying Coffee Beans in the Sun" by Emily M. Wilson, United States
"Worker drying coffee beans in the sun in Antigua, Guatemala."
#9. "Early morning fishing" by Yao Yuan Shang, Taiwan
"The secret place of Taiwan’s Sun Moon Lake is a place where you can leisurely enjoy the fun of fishing in the early morning, and you can take a slow tour of Sun Moon Lake. This is a unique and beautiful roaming travel spot. I use my camera to record the most beautiful moments of this special season, the special morning mist, and the blooming of the water willows. Professional travel will also lead you to experience the most beautiful scenery and feelings at the best time."
#10. "Frozen Breath of Dawn" by Grant (KwangIL) Park, Canada
"This photograph captures the breathtaking beauty of a frozen lake under extreme cold conditions, with a chilling wind making the temperature feel like -36°C. The delicate patterns of trapped air bubbles in the ice contrast with the vast, snow-covered mountain glowing warmly at sunset. A lone figure crouches, emphasizing both human resilience and the grandeur of nature’s frozen stillness."
#11. "Morning at the Floating Market" by Emily M. Wilson, United States
"Boats at a floating vegetable market at Dal Lake in Jammu and Kashmir."
#12. "On the go with her task" by Thomas Bernhardt, Germany
As I walked through the harbor district of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. I had realized the beautifull view on this factory hall, some sort of port warehouse in harbor district."
#13. "On the sea & torii" by Theo Houdusse, France
"I captured this image during my journey through Japan, starting in Hiroshima. We are currently on the second day of our trip, on the island of Miyajima, in the early afternoon. I am in front of the Itsukushima torii. As the tide rose and the schoolchildren receded at the same speed as the water, I first saw these two students immobilized by the waves, then later plucked up their courage and walked on the water of the Inland Sea of Japan. With this beautiful torii as a backdrop, in a misty and enigmatic setting, as this island knows how to offer us."
#14. "Primary Colours of Senegal" by Sam Morgan, New Zealand
"In a dusty roadside village in Senegal, a man walks past a red-clothed doorway carrying groceries wrapped in blue and yellow plastic. Behind him, daily life unfolds – stalls, stories, and quiet exchanges. I could spot this opportunity from a mile away, this photo was taken as we drove past this market at roughly 80kmh. This image is about movement and stillness, presence and place."
#15. "The Secret Mill of the Past" by Luciano Demasi, United States
"This is one of the most incredible places I have visited. It is an ancient powerhouse that used to power other machinery or tools. This location is not trivial to reach. It requires a jeep and experience in driving on a difficult road. But the trouble is truly worth it. I do not completely disclose all of the details to protect the place."
In Summary
What are the Chromatic Awards?
- The Chromatic Awards are an international photography competition celebrating excellence in color photography across multiple genres.
Who won the Travel category in 2025?
- Diego Di Guardo won 1st place, followed by Jurica Galić (2nd) and Yao Yuan Shang (3rd).
What makes these photos special?
- Each image captures authentic moments, cultural depth, and emotional storytelling through exceptional visual composition.
Who can participate in the Chromatic Awards?
- Both professional and amateur photographers from around the world are welcome to enter.
Why are these travel photos important?
- They preserve fleeting moments, celebrate global cultures, and inspire viewers to explore the world through a more meaningful lens.
