Glanzlichter 2026

There are moments in the mountains that don’t reveal themselves immediately. They are quiet, subtle, and easy to overlook.

And yet, they often stay longer than the obvious, dramatic scenes. One of these moments has now been selected as a Highlight in the Glanzlichter 2026 Nature Photography Competition, in the category Magnificent Wilderness.

A Landscape Reduced to Light and Form

The image “Lights, Shadows, and Glaciers 001” is part of my long-term project exploring glaciers in the Swiss Alps.

What drew me to this scene was not scale or grandeur, but the way light moved across the surface of the ice. Soft transitions, gentle curves, and a quiet interplay between shadow and reflection. The glacier almost loses its physical weight. It becomes something more abstract. A landscape defined not by detail, but by light.

Beyond the Obvious Wilderness

When we think about wilderness, we often imagine vast, dramatic views. Rugged peaks, extreme weather, powerful moments.

But for me, wilderness can also be something much quieter.

It can exist in small sections of a landscape. In subtle textures. In the way light reveals structure for just a brief moment.

This photograph is part of that way of seeing.

A Personal Milestone

Having this image selected as a Highlight in the Magnificent Wilderness category means a lot to me. Not only because of the recognition itself, but because it shows that a more minimal and interpretive approach to landscape photography can resonate in this context. It encourages me to continue exploring these quieter perspectives.

An Ongoing Exploration

This image is not a standalone piece. It is part of an ongoing body of work focused on glaciers, their forms, and their transformation. A process that requires time, patience, and a willingness to look beyond the obvious. And in many ways, this recognition is not an endpoint, but simply another step along that path. In the end, this photograph is less about the glacier itself, and more about how light can reshape our perception of a landscape. A reminder that even in the most powerful environments, there is space for stillness.

Congratulations to all winners and participants, and a sincere thank you to the team behind Glanzlichter for organizing and supporting this competition.