20 award-winning images chosen in a global vote of over 800,000 – from birds and landscapes to street photography

Over 800,000 global voters selected the People's Choice winners for the 2026 British Photography Awards, which covered 20 diverse categories. The 20 chosen images spanned categories like Birdlife, Low Light Photography, Landscape, Fine Art, Portrait, Water Life, Commercial: Product, Architecture, Wedding, Event, Street, Land Animal, Drone, and Fashion.

One standout, "Flight of Icarus," earned the Birdlife category title. Taken by Julie Smith, it captures two kestrels hunting at dawn on the Northumberland Fells, illuminated by the rising sun. Smith used a Sony A1 camera with a 200-600mm lens at settings of f/6.3, 1/2000 sec, ISO100, and 600mm focal length. Post-processing included cropping, noise reduction, and adjustments to contrast, white balance, highlights, and shadows.

Another impressive image, "The Hill," won in the Low Light Photography category. David Miller's photograph showcases a serene moment through the woods, achieved with a handheld Sony A1 camera using a 200-600mm lens, f/6.3, 1/2000 sec, ISO100, and 600mm focal length. Miller's post-processing emphasized contrast, white balance, highlights, and shadows to enhance the scene.

"Summer Glimpse," the Landscape category winner, was captured by Thomas Harper. The fine art image features a delicate interplay of light and shadow, showcasing Harper's skill in translating the essence of a landscape onto the photograph.