These unforgettable images are incredible examples of colour in photography – you must take a look!

This collection of photographs from the International Amateur Photographer of the Year 2026 competition showcases the incredible power of color in capturing unforgettable moments. Trevor Lake emerged victorious in the Celebrating Colour category with his intimate image of a woman sitting in a cab, across the street. The judges praised the photograph for its deceptive simplicity, using color and blur to create a sense of intimacy and draw the viewer into the scene.

The soft blue tones of the taxi reinforce the serenity of the moment, allowing the viewer to become immersed in the warm noise of the street outside. Trevor Lake also captured a joyful portrait in his second-place image, where the subject's laughter and exuberant pose create a bold graphic quality while remaining natural and unforced.

The restrained palette of pinks, purples, and muted violet tones in Charles Ashton's photograph lends an almost dreamlike quality, while the contrast of red from the doorway adds an element of mystery. Natalie Weigum's image, "Between Earth and Sky," demonstrates how color can transform an ordinary scene into something extraordinary.

By using strong yellow and orange tones to dominate the frame, Weigum creates a sense of life and wonder around the monumental Jaipur Jantar Mantar architecture. The small human figure adds a vital counterpoint, leading the viewer's eye into the image and creating a succession of shapes within shapes. These remarkable photographs prove that color is one of photography's most powerful tools, capable of stopping us in our tracks and transforming an otherwise ordinary scene into something truly unforgettable.