The beauty of the night sky has fascinated humanity for centuries, and this year’s Capture the Dark 2025 Photo Contest has once again proven how photography can reveal its magic in unforgettable ways. Organized by DarkSky International, the contest is more than a celebration of artistic excellence—it’s a call to action to preserve the fading wonders of natural darkness. With light pollution rapidly increasing across the globe, these images remind us of what we stand to lose if we fail to protect our star-filled skies.
Photo by: Mónica Mesa
This year’s competition drew over 2,200 entries from more than 22 countries, each capturing a unique perspective of the nocturnal world. From glowing galaxies and meteor showers to the delicate beauty of fireflies and moonlit landscapes, the winning photographs weave together a breathtaking story of the night. They not only highlight the technical brilliance of photographers but also embody a deeper mission: to spark wonder, reflection, and awareness.
The contest featured eight distinct categories, each shining a light on different aspects of the dark. “Capture the Dark” revealed sweeping nightscapes, while “International Dark Sky Places” showcased pristine, protected skies across the globe. “Creatures of the Night” brought attention to wildlife thriving under starlight, and “The Impact of Light Pollution” documented how human activity disrupts these natural scenes. Other categories included Deep Sky Observations, Mobile Nighttime Photography, Young Astrophotographers, and Dark Sky Friendly Lighting and Design, encouraging innovation in both art and science.
Together, these spellbinding images form more than a gallery—they are a testament to resilience, creativity, and the urgent need for conservation. Through their lenses, photographers invite us to slow down, look up, and remember the timeless connection between humanity and the night sky.
Scroll down and inspire yourself. You can check their website for more information.
You can find Capture the Dark Contest:
#1. Capture the Dark: First Place – "The Watchers" by JJ Rao
#2. Capture the Dark: Second Place – "Whispers of the Dancing Auroras" by Mónica Mesa
#3. Capture the Dark: Third Place – "Land of Ice" by Kavan Chay
#4. International Dark Sky Places: First Place – "Starlight Highway" by Tom Rae
#5. International Dark Sky Places: Second Place – "Double Arch" by by Dan Zafra
#6. International Dark Sky Places: Third Place – "Celestial Dance Over Lupine Fields" by by Lucy Yunxi
#7. Dark Sky Friendly Lighting and Design: First Place – "Paris, Asleep In The Pre-Dawn Hours" by Gwenael Blanck
#8. Dark Sky Friendly Lighting and Design: Second Place – "High Frontier" by Stephen Hummel
#9. Dark Sky Friendly Lighting and Design: Third Place – "Celestial Equator Above the Vimy Trenches" by Louis Leroux-Gere
#10. The Impact of Light Pollution: First Place – "Requiem for a Dream" by Ambre de l’AIPe
#11. The Impact of Light Pollution: Second Place – "Traces of the Stars" by Xin Wang
#12. The Impact of Light Pollution: Third Place – "Interstellar Dock" by Shi Pu
#13. Creatures of the Night: First Place – "Scorpion and Scorpio" by Oscar Leonardo Chavez Torres
#14. Creatures of the Night: Second Place – "The Perfect Ghost" by Will Hudson
#15. Creatures of the Night: Third Place – "Buck Moon Owl" by Kevin O’Donnell
#16. Deep Sky Observations: First Place – "Breathing Vela Supernova Remnant Mosaic" by Alpha Zhang
#17. Deep Sky Observations: Second Place – "Furnace of Life" by Rod Prazeres
#18. Deep Sky Observations: Third Place – "Under Dark Skies: The Horsehead Revealed" by Tiffany Effinger
#19. Mobile Nighttime Photography: First Place – "A Gateway to the Universe" by Sadeq Hayati
#20. Mobile Nighttime Photography: Second Place – "Milky Way Over Quiver Tree" by Jilanfeng Dai
#21. Mobile Nighttime Photography: Third Place – "Salt Flats and Solar Winds in Death Valley" by Katrina Brown
#22. Young Astrophotographers: First Place – "Gems of Jizerka" by Oldřich Špůrek
#23. Young Astrophotographers: Second Place – "Aurora at 38°N" by Haohan Sun
#24. Young Astrophotographers: Third Place – "A Dolphins Head" by Michael Telesco
#25. People’s Choice Award: First Place – "Milky Way with Comet C/2023 A3" by Siddharth Patel
#26. People’s Choice Award: Second Place – "Clash In Winter Sky: A Legend Tupi – Guaran" by Rodrigo Guerra
#27. People’s Choice Award: Third Place – "Ancient Beauty" by Therese Iknoian
