Hasselblad today announces the 70 finalists of the Hasselblad Masters 2026. The selected works are distinguished by creativity, fresh perspectives and conceptual strength in visual artistry.
Established in 2001, the Hasselblad Masters is among the world’s most prestigious professional photography competitions. The 2026 competition welcomed entries across seven categories: Landscape, Portrait, Street, Architecture, Art, Wildlife, and Project 21.
One winner in each category will be awarded a Hasselblad X2D II 100C camera, two XCD lenses of their choice, a €5,000 cash prize, and the coveted title of Hasselblad Master. Winners will have the opportunity to collaborate with Hasselblad on the Hasselblad Masters book, with selected work showcased across Hasselblad’s global channels.
This year’s competition received over 108,000 images from photographers in more than 160 countries and territories. From these submissions, 70 finalists were selected, with 10 finalists in each category. One finalist per category will be named a Hasselblad Master.
Selection process
Starting today through to June 1, the global photography community is invited to vote for their preferred finalists in each category as part of the overall judging process.
During this time, the Hasselblad Masters 2026 Grand Jury, composed of internationally respected photographers, curators, editors, and industry experts, will evaluate the finalists and determine one winner in each category. The seven category winners will be announced on 30 June 2026.
Earning the Hasselblad Masters title places photographers among an internationally recognized community distinguished for excellence in photographic craft.
You can cast your vote for the Hasselblad Masters 2026 finalists here.
Hasselblad Masters 2026 Grand Jury
Kalle Sanner, Executive Director, Hasselblad Foundation
Alex Pollack, Director of Photography, National Geographic
Aya Musa, Senior Curator, Foam
Paul Lachenauer, Managing Photographer, The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Rebecca Swift, Senior Vice President, Creative, Getty Images
RongRong, Co-founder and Artistic Director, Three Shadows Photography Art Centre
Sonia Jeunet, Photography Consultant and Education, Magnum Photos
Zack Hatfield, Managing Editor, Aperture Magazine
2026 Finalists
Here are thumbnail images of the finalists in each category.
Architecture
The finalists in the Architecture category reveal the built world beyond documentation and present architecture as spaces shaped by design, light, and environment. Each work highlights structural beauty while examining the relationship between architecture, its surroundings, and human experience, offering new perspectives on familiar spaces.
Fine Art
The finalists in the Fine Art category invite curiosity and a sense of wonder through personal expression and visual language. Rooted in personal experience, observation, and individual conviction, each series reinterprets reality through constructed and symbolic imagery, reflecting a range of emotional and conceptual perspectives.
Landscape
The finalists in the Landscape category combine technical mastery with a strong visual sensibility. The work reveals rarely seen landscapes, reflects transformation in the natural world, and conveys a strong sense of scale and presence. Together, these images explore the evolving relationship between humanity and the natural world.
Portrait
The finalists in the Portrait category explore identity, culture, and the human condition with precision and intent. The work captures human expression and the relationship between individuals and their environment. These images move beyond appearance to reflect heritage and lived experience, revealing narratives of resilience, belonging, and connection.
Street
The finalists in the Street category capture moments within the rhythm of urban life, from fleeting interactions to distinct expressions of atmosphere and place. Timing, perspective, and human presence give ordinary scenes new meaning. Each image reveals how people and public space shape one another, transforming familiar settings into moments defined by clarity and mood.
Project // 21
The finalists in the Project // 21 category demonstrate a confident command of photographic language and a strong sense of individual vision. Themes of identity, environment, and origin emerge through approaches that challenge convention and expand creative boundaries. Each series presents a distinct perspective and a commitment to defining new ways of seeing.
Wildlife
The finalists in the Wildlife category present a refined balance of observation and visual interpretation. Moments of behaviour, adaptation, and connection unfold from quiet solitude to intimate relationships. The images offer insight into the complexity of the natural world and the patterns that shape it.
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