World Street Photo Awards 2026

Unseen Imaging GmbH; official sponsor RCE Foto.

An international online competition open to photographers worldwide; winning works are exhibited at a renowned gallery in Berlin, Germany.

Final deadline: October 10, 2026, 23:59 CEST. Winners reveal: November 8, 2026.

20 categories:

01. The Decisive Moment — candid moments when all elements align;

02. Reflection — moments mirrored on surfaces;

03. Silhouette — subjects revealed by shape alone;

04. Geometry — shapes, lines, angles and architectural forms;

05. Minimalism — clean compositions with few elements;

06. Night & Low Light — street scenes in low light;

07. Black and White — monochromatic works reduced to form, light and emotion;

08. Color — works defined by vibrant or subtle tones;

09. Transport — people in transit on subways, trams, buses, taxis, bikes and more;

10. Abstract & Surrealism — unexpected angles, ICM or dreamlike compositions;

11. Juxtaposition — visual relationships and chance alignments creating new meaning or irony;

12. Weather — scenes with rain, snow, heat, storms, clouds or other weather elements;

13. Open Theme — any compelling street photo, any style or story;

14. Animals — cats, dogs, birds and other creatures in the urban landscape;

15. Mobile Phone Photography — authentic moments shot on a mobile phone;

16. Cinematic Streets — story-driven frames with atmospheric, moody lighting;

17. Details — gestures, textures, objects and fleeting details of urban life;

18. Light & Shadow — scenes where light and shadow collide;

19. Movement & Motion — still images conveying energy through blur, dynamics or freezing action;

20. Layers — complex scenes with multiple visual planes or narratives.

The same photograph may be entered in multiple categories where it meets the criteria (each additional category receives independent jury consideration); there is no limit to the number of photographs submitted, and each is judged individually.

Open to photographers of all levels worldwide — professionals, amateurs, emerging talents, and students. Works must be taken in public space and must be candid, unposed, and not staged. AI-generated images are not permitted; AI-powered editing tools such as noise reduction or masking are allowed, provided the image originates from a real photograph. Previously awarded or published photographs are eligible, provided the entrant retains full copyright.

Paid, with volume-based pricing:

Total prize pool of €2,500:

The World Street Photo Awards (WSPA) is an international street photography competition open to photographers of all levels — professional, amateur, and student — seeking real, candid, unstaged moments captured in public space, with the goal of highlighting emerging talent and celebrating street photography as a vital form of visual storytelling. The 2026 edition features 20 categories spanning the decisive moment, reflections, silhouettes, geometry, minimalism, black and white, color, transport, abstraction, juxtaposition, weather, mobile phone photography, cinematic streets, and more. There is no limit on submissions; each photograph is judged individually, and the same image may be entered across multiple categories. The jury consists of internationally renowned street photographers: Siegfried Hansen (Germany), Matt Hall (UK), Monaris (Puerto Rico), Joaquín Pastor Genzor (Spain), and Ando Fuchs (Austria). The total prize pool is €2,500, with the Photographer of the Year receiving €500 and each Category Winner €100; all winning works are shown at a Berlin gallery, published in the official photobook, and featured in the year-long online gallery.