On 26 February 2026, the annual award ceremony and exhibition opening of \u201cThe Hungarian Nature Photography Grand Prize\u201d<\/strong>, organized by Var\u00e1zslatos Magyarorsz\u00e1g, took place at the Biodome of the F\u0151v\u00e1rosi \u00c1llat- \u00e9s N\u00f6v\u00e9nykert in Budapest. The event marked the conclusion of the 2025 competition season and brought together leading representatives of Hungarian nature photography, conservation professionals, and invited guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Biodome hosted the gala for the second consecutive year, providing a controlled indoor environment designed to reflect natural ecosystems. The venue\u2019s architectural and spatial features allowed the organizers to integrate the exhibition into a large-scale, immersive setting, reinforcing the link between nature photography and environmental awareness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since its launch in 2010, the Hungarian Nature Photography Grand Prize competition has positioned itself as a long-term professional platform rather than a single-event contest. The structure of the competition spans eight months, during which participating photographers document the cyclical processes of nature. A professional jury evaluates submissions monthly, assigning points across categories. The cumulative ranking determines the final annual results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The competition\u2019s declared objective is to provide Hungarian nature photographers with continuous opportunities for professional development while promoting environmental consciousness among the public. The Grand Prize winner receives the symbolic Golden Crane statuette, awarded to the first place of the overall annual ranking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The evening was hosted by television presenter Gundel Tak\u00e1cs G\u00e1bor. Following the introduction, Dr. S\u00f3s Endre, Director General of the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden, addressed the audience. He emphasized the institutional role of the Zoo in hosting cultural and conservation-related events that connect scientific work with public engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ga\u00e1l P\u00e9ter, founder and owner of Var\u00e1zslatos Magyarorsz\u00e1g, outlined the philosophy behind the organization. He described the competition as a comprehensive support system for nature photographers, combining exhibition opportunities, publication platforms, and professional recognition. He also acknowledged the contribution of team members Far\u00e1dy Anna, Dankovics-Szab\u00f3 No\u00e9mi, and K\u00f6rmendi Zsuzsanna, and expressed appreciation for the work of former managing director K\u00f6vesi Eszter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The professional standing of the Hungarian Nature Photography Grand Prize is reinforced by its jury panel. Although nature photographer Litauszki Tibor was unable to attend, other jury members participated in the ceremony, including internationally recognized photojournalist Britta Jaschinski, nature photographers M\u00e1t\u00e9 Bence and Suhayda L\u00e1szl\u00f3, conservation expert and photographer Szil\u00e1gyi Attila, wildlife filmmaker T\u00f3th Zsolt Marcell, and ifj. Vitray Tam\u00e1s, editor of National Geographic Magyarorsz\u00e1g Magazin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a featured guest, Britta Jaschinski spoke about the role of documentary photography in addressing wildlife exploitation. She outlined how visual storytelling contributes to debates surrounding trophy hunting and wildlife trade, including legislative initiatives in the United Kingdom concerning trophy import bans. Her presentation highlighted the intersection of visual media and policy-making processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the ceremony, the organizers and attendees commemorated Keleti \u00c9va, who passed away recently and had served as a jury member of Var\u00e1zslatos Magyarorsz\u00e1g for fourteen years. Although primarily known for her work outside nature photography, her professional perspective contributed to the jury\u2019s evaluation criteria. The tribute emphasized her belief that strong photography centers on life, light, and decisive moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n K\u00e1d\u00e1r Andr\u00e1s, Secretary General of the Jane Goodall Int\u00e9zet, presented the evolving partnership between the institute and Var\u00e1zslatos Magyarorsz\u00e1g. The cooperation began with a special magazine issue dedicated to Jane Goodall and has since expanded to joint exhibition initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As part of this collaboration, the exhibition \u201cJane90 \u2013 Stories of a Life\u201d will be accessible again at the Zoo\u2019s Magic Mountain (Var\u00e1zshegy), where visitors can view it alongside the Hungarian Nature Photography Grand Prize exhibition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prior to the award announcements, wildlife filmmaker T\u00f6r\u00f6k Zolt\u00e1n delivered a presentation titled \u201cStory Within the Image \u2013 Image Within the Story.\u201d He examined the balance between aesthetic composition and narrative content in nature photography and wildlife filmmaking. Drawing from domestic and international productions, he analyzed how visual structure supports or challenges storytelling objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most anticipated segment of the evening was the announcement of the overall winners. The 2025 Hungarian Nature Photography Grand Prize and the Golden Crane statuette were awarded to Dar\u00f3czi Csaba.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Born in 1969 in Debrecen, Dar\u00f3czi has been active in nature photography for decades while working as a geography and physical education teacher in Soltvadkert. He has previously won the Var\u00e1zslatos Magyarorsz\u00e1g Grand Prize multiple times and has received the title \u201cNature Photographer of the Year\u201d on eight occasions. In 2025, he reached the VM podium for the thirteenth time, marking his fourth Golden Crane award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Second place was awarded to L\u00f3ki Csaba, born in 1981 in P\u00e9cs. Active in nature photography for over twenty years, he focuses primarily on bird photography and field observation. This marks his third podium placement in the competition since its inception in 2010.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Third place went to Hogya Istv\u00e1n, originally from Miskolc. With a background rooted in rural wildlife observation, he has increasingly participated in national competitions in recent years. His work often centers on birds and large mammals, combining field-based knowledge with technical development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The competition includes permanent categories such as \u201cNatural Beauties,\u201d \u201cWorld of Birds,\u201d \u201cOther Animals,\u201d and \u201cCompact and Mobile,\u201d as well as thematic categories including \u201cHuman Impact on Nature,\u201d \u201cFamily Moments \u2013 National Geographic,\u201d \u201cImages from Around the World,\u201d and the video category \u201cNature in Motion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n An additional seasonal category in 2025 focused on \u201cFlowers of Our Waters \u2013 The Mayfly Swarming in Hungary,\u201d reflecting ecological phenomena specific to Hungarian habitats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Special awards were also presented. The Jane Goodall Institute Special Award went to Ravasz Bal\u00e1zs for \u201c\u00d3v\u00f3b\u00e1csi.\u201d The Fotoplus Special Award was granted to Herpai Imre for \u201cToll\u00e1szkod\u00e1s.\u201d The CEWE Special Award was presented to Ekler L\u00e1szl\u00f3 for \u201cMutatv\u00e1nyosok.\u201d The naturArt B\u00e1gyi Ferenc Memorial Prize was awarded to Hogya Istv\u00e1n for \u201cTelihold.\u201d The audience prize was won by P\u00e1szthy D\u00e1vid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the ceremony, visitors explored the exhibition installed within the Biodome\u2019s interior spaces. The display presents 206 photographs by 56 exhibiting photographers, including the top three portfolios and selected category winners. The exhibition also offers a visual overview of Hungary\u2019s ten national parks, highlighting habitats and species diversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2026, the exhibition will tour eight locations across Hungary, including Szombathely, Szeged, Debrecen, Zalaegerszeg, Poroszl\u00f3, Mosonmagyar\u00f3v\u00e1r, and additional venues in Budapest. A parallel CEWE x Var\u00e1zslatos Magyarorsz\u00e1g traveling exhibition will feature 31 works by Grand Prize winners and special award recipients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the first venue in Magic Mountain, the exhibition will be displayed alongside a curated selection from the \u201cJane90 \u2013 Stories of a Life\u201d exhibition, reinforcing the thematic connection between photography and conservation advocacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the 2025 competition season, nearly 200 photographers submitted more than 3,000 images. The ranking from positions 1 to 50 reflects a year-long performance-based evaluation system. Works by photographers placed between 50th and 4th positions were presented in a projected screening during the ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Hungarian Nature Photography Grand Prize has, over nearly two decades, established itself as a structured, multi-stage competition model within the national photographic community. By combining professional jury evaluation, public exhibitions, thematic categories, and institutional partnerships, it integrates artistic practice with environmental communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2025 season concluded in Budapest with the presentation of the Golden Crane, while the 2026 exhibition tour continues to extend the reach of Hungarian nature photography across the country.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Hungarian Nature Photography Grand Prize 2025 concluded at the Budapest Biodome, where Dar\u00f3czi Csaba received the Golden Crane. The Photography Award ceremony highlighted conservation, professional excellence, and launched a nationwide exhibition tour featuring 206 images by 56 photographers<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1446,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[103],"tags":[198,117,113,133,182,111],"class_list":["post-1445","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-award","tag-contest","tag-exhibition","tag-nature-photography","tag-news_","tag-photography-2"],"blocksy_meta":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Mission of Hungarian Nature Photography<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Opening Speeches and Institutional Background<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
International Jury and Conservation Focus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tribute to Keleti \u00c9va<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Strategic Partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Professional Lecture on Visual Storytelling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Grand Prize Winners of 2025<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Categories and Special Awards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Exhibition at the Biodome and National Tour<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Participation Statistics and Professional Scope<\/h3>\n\n\n\n