Leica Street Photo Contest 15th Edition Names Winner and 29 Finalists
Thirty finalists from 103 countries competed across 12,000 submissions; the Grand Prix winner, who takes home a Leica Q3 43, was revealed March 18 at Leica Gallery Vienna.
2,803 photographers from 103 countries entered the 15th edition of the Leica Street Photo Contest, submitting a total of over 12,000 photographs. From that field, Leica Fotografie International (LFI), in collaboration with Leica Galleries, named one winner and 29 finalists. The Leica Gallery Vienna opened the resulting exhibition of 29 finalist works alongside the chosen best picture, which was honored at the opening and presented with a Leica Q3 43.
The exhibition opened on March 18, 2026, at 6:30 pm, with RSVP required. The 15th edition and the selection of 29 finalists reflect the range of styles and themes that make up street photography, which has never been greater. Initiated as a regional photo competition in Poland, the Leica Street Photo Contest now attracts great international interest and remains open to professionals and amateurs alike.
The international jury brought together Carol Körting, Photo Editor at Leica Fotografie International; Paul Schiek, founder of TBW Books in the United States; and James Wellford, Photo Editor at National Geographic. Wellford captured the breadth of the selection: "The range of styles and themes that make up street photography has never been greater," a sentiment echoed in his jury statement noting that entries took "viewers to physical and emotional crossroads all over the world."
The finalist pool spans continents and working styles. Among the named photographers: Zhenling Wang from China, whose image was described as a "perfectly timed frame" that transforms a work break into poetry by aligning jumping figures with a makeshift hoop; and Harun Özalp from Turkey, whose front-on framing and dramatic night lighting, shot on a rain-soaked street with headlights cutting through the frame, drew comparisons to pure cinema. Jakub Cholewka of Poland also placed among the 30. From Lensculture's gallery coverage, other finalists include Luca Meola (Brazil) with "Zumbi of Cracolndia," Michael McIlvaney (UK) with "Window Shopping," Nina Welch-Kling (United States) with "Rallentando," Sittichai Maikupandin (Thailand) with "Absent Presences," Zeren Yu (China) with "Shanghai Resorts," and Javier Arcenillas (Spain) with "Cartago."
Arcenillas's image, selected by Carol Körting, drew particular attention for its stillness. Körting described a woman on a crowded bus, undisturbed by the people and a large hat filling the frame: "For me, the shadow behind her symbolizes the depth of her thoughts or dreams, while the light on her face gives her a sublime touch." Antoine Rozès also earned extended jury commentary, with curators noting that his subjects appear suspended in tension, his compositions threaded with an ominous charge heightened by bright, bold color.
The 15th edition placed strong emphasis on creativity, originality, and the ability to observe and document the world with a distinctive photographic voice. The Grand Prix was determined by a play-off, a separate jury vote on the finalists, with the work receiving the most votes winning.
An artist talk with Mike Chudley is scheduled for March 20, 2026, at 6:30 pm, also requiring RSVP. The exhibition at Leica Gallery Vienna runs through April 25, 2026. Curators Laura Ettel and Miriam Marzura oversaw the Leica Galerie Wien presentation. The gallery is located at Seilergasse 14, 1010 Vienna, Austria, reachable at +43 1 236 74 87 or info@leicastore-vienna.com, and is open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
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