Ice Climbers Observing Eclipse on Glacier Triumphs in Color Photography Competition

A captivating image featuring two ice climbers on a glacier gazing at a solar eclipse has claimed the 2025 reFocus Awards’ Color Photography Contest title. Liam Man’s remarkable photograph exemplifies contrast and color, showcasing the icy blue iceberg bathed in the orange glow emitted by the annular eclipse.

Captured in Patagonia during the 2024 eclipse, the image was part of a broader project Man collaborated on with UNESCO and reflects his commitment as a photographer. The dynamic image he shared on Instagram is even more enchanting. Nevertheless, the still photograph stands out as a clear winner amidst a competitive field of entries from over 80 countries.

In the non-professional category, Mohammed Alim triumphed with his captivating photo of women in prayer at a mosque in Jakarta. Their colorful mukena, a traditional prayer-dress worn by Indonesian Muslims, creates a breathtaking pattern. Alim’s win is particularly noteworthy, as he mentioned on Instagram that he initially shared the photo to showcase his camera’s cropping capabilities. This led to increasing interest in the photograph, undoubtedly encouraging him to submit it to the competition.

Both the professional and non-professional divisions also awarded prizes across a diverse range of categories. From aerial shots to portraits and street photography, all of the winners highlight the astonishing visual allure of color photography. More importantly, they illustrate how the right color balance can elevate a good image to something exceptional.

Scroll down to see some of our favorite winners and then visit the reFocus Awards website to explore the complete winners’ gallery.