Winners

Jury Prize

CHF1500.- GraphicArt gift voucher

Valerie Calabro

The Gauchos

1st Public Prize

CHF 1500.- SPC Photo Trip Gift Voucher

Jürg Ludi

Wettstreit um das Fischchen

2nd Public Prize

Manfrotto magic arm kit, Lowepro protactic, Patona premium LED, Patona light stand

Hans Schaffner

Stille Begegnung

3rd Public Prize

Peak Design backpack

Thea Mihu

Harvested by Sun and Sea

Most-voted small photo

Shimoda Urban Explore backpack from GraphicArt

Daniel Helbling

Wintersymmetrie

Bonus Prize

Lifetime subscription to Pictrs

Fabienne Gassmann

Wild at Heart

Sponsors

The post Winners announced: SPC Photo Awards Zürich September 2026 appeared first on Swiss Photo Club Blog.

It’s a powerful symbol that deserves better than grainy, out-of-focus shots!

So here are four tips for you to learn before the first rocket goes up.

1. Scout your spot before dark

Figure out where the fireworks will launch from and get there early — the best vantage points fill up fast.

If there’s water nearby, stand on the opposite side from the launch point: you’ll get the fireworks and their reflection in the same frame.

Don’t forget composition! A little foreground interest adds depth to a photo that an empty sky lacks. If you’re near a crowd, a few silhouettes in the foreground add interest. If you’re at the lake, consider including some boulders along the shore.

2. Check the wind, then stand with your back to it

Smoke drifts. If it’s blowing toward you, your shots will fog up by the third or fourth burst. A quick check of wind direction tells you where to stand.

Use the interactive maps in the MeteoSwiss app to see live wind animations and current measurements in your area.

3. Focus on the first firework, then switch to manual

Let autofocus lock onto an early burst, then switch your lens to manual focus. In the dark, autofocus will hunt and miss for the rest of the show. But once you set manual focus once, it stays put.

4. Tripod, bulb mode, self-timer

A tripod is non-negotiable at the shutter speeds fireworks need. 2 to 4 seconds is a minimum; as long as 8 seconds may give you even better results, depending on what you’re looking for.

Bulb mode is also perfect for shooting fireworks. This is a setting that keeps the shutter open until you stop it, giving you much longer exposures than are typically possible. Start the exposure before the firework goes off and cover the lens with a piece of black paper or board. When the firework goes off, pull the board away. When it’s finished, cover the lens again and stop the exposure. Or wait for the next firework to expose it on top of the previous one, creating an image with multiple fireworks.

With long exposures (bulb mode or not), be sure to trigger the shutter with a 2-second self-timer rather than your finger — even a stable tripod picks up the shake of a button press.

Want to go further than four tips? We’ll teach you how to master low-light photography, including light painting and other fun applications, in our night and long-exposure photography courses: see upcoming dates

The post How to Photograph Fireworks: 4 Tips for Swiss National Day appeared first on Swiss Photo Club Blog.

Gewinner

Jury Preis

Canon EOS R8 + RF 24–50mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM

Peter Fischer

Spur der Stille

1. Publikumspreis

CHF 1500.- SPC Fotoreise Gutschein

Alexis Darphin

Its a Hardturm life

2. Publikumspreis

Jetmag Pro Landscape ND Kit 82MAG

Willi Rubli

Hello!

3. Publikumspreis

Shimoda Urban Explore 20 – Boa

Sabine Pegoraro

Beautiful light Puma

Kleinfoto mit den meisten Stimmen

Polaroid Flip + Color Film Bundle

J. Aggeler

Liminal Lager – Bau 26

Bonus-Preis

Lebenslanges Abonnement für Pictrs

Dario Yarando

moments before impact

Sponsoren

The post Gewinner: SPC Photo Awards Zürich Mai 2026 appeared first on Swiss Photo Club Blog.

Prize Winners

Jury Prize

GraphicArt gift voucher CHF1500

François Paccaud, «Je te vois… !»

1st Place - Public Vote

SPC Photo Trip Voucher worth CHF 1500

Thibaut Jossein, «Le vieil homme et la lumière»

2nd Place - Public Vote

Manfrotto 190XPRO Tripod &
Lowepro freeline backpack

Jean-Philippe Grandjean, «Breaking the ice»

3rd Place - Public Vote

Shimoda UrbanExplore backpack from GraphicArt & Patona fast charger bundle

Laura Fasel, «Surface trompeuse»

Public Vote: Most voted small print

Peak Design travel backpack

Haoyin Wu, «Sommet des Nations»

Bonus Prize: Pictrs Selection

Lifetime Ultimate membership at Pictrs.com

Jutta Joy Gross, «Iconic Presence»

Sponsors

The post Winners: SPC Photo Awards Geneva May 2026 appeared first on Swiss Photo Club Blog.

The post Winners: SPC Photo Awards Biel/Bienne April 2026 appeared first on Swiss Photo Club Blog.

Winners

Jury Prize

CHF 1500.- GraphicArt Gift voucher

Kateryna Polishchuk

The traces we leave behind

1st Public Prize

CHF 1500.- SPC Photo Trip Gift Voucher

Melanie Meister
Momentum

2nd Public Prize

Manfrotto Befree Stativ & Lowepro Trekker Rucksack

Dorota Couleru

The pool

3rd Public Prize

Shimoda Urban Explore

Sheila Hubschmid

Passion

Most-voted small photo

Patona Powerbank

Hazell Gabriela Moncada Medina

Hidden Sanctuary

Bonus Prize

Lifetime subscription to Pictrs

Rita Iten

aus dem Rahmen gefallen

Sponsors

The post Winners: SPC Photo Awards Zurich March 2026 appeared first on Swiss Photo Club Blog.

Prize Winners

Jury Prize

GraphicArt gift voucher CHF1500

Jacqueline Perregaux : Défence Bleue

1st Place - Public Vote

SPC Photo Trip Voucher worth CHF 1500

Samuel Taverne : Un moment suspendu dans les nuages

2nd Place - Public Vote

GraphicArt gift voucher CHF500

Rechenzo Isles : Midnight Muse

3rd Place - Public Vote

Shimoda UrbanExplore backpack from GraphicArt

Maud Monnet : Just in time

Public Vote: Most voted small print

Small photo printed big

Carla Carapetyan : Inner walk

Bonus Prize: Pictrs Selection

Lifetime Ultimate membership at Pictrs.com

Judith Mijderwijk : Lago Federa

Sponsors

The post Winners: SPC Photo Awards Geneva February 2026 appeared first on Swiss Photo Club Blog.

Many people secretly dream of a fulfilling creative life and find themselves waiting indefinitely for the right time. The truth is that “the right time” is as much a myth as it is a choice.

Huan knew that following her expected path in finance wasn’t going to give her the fulfillment she was looking for, so she made a change to put herself first and pursue her passion for photography.

The transition from enthusiast to professional is a journey of both courage and craft. Huan’s journey from SPC Academy to the heart of the Basel art scene is a prime example of what happens when world-class professional photography training meets an unstoppable work ethic.

Watch: An Interview with Huan Cao

SPC Academy 1-Year Professional Photography Program

The SPC Academy 1-Year Professional Photography Program is a comprehensive photography education in the technical, artistic, and business skills you need to be successful. Designed for those ready to make a serious commitment to their craft, it comes with an “Everything You Need to Know to Go Pro” guarantee.

Our program is uniquely suited for individuals at a crossroads:

• The Career Reinventor: Like Huan, many of our students come from high-pressure corporate backgrounds looking for a more fulfilling “second act.”
• The Global Relocator: For those who have moved to Switzerland to support a partner’s career, this program offers a way to build a local network and a portable skill set.
• The Dedicated Visionary: For those who now have the time and resources to invest in themselves, the Academy provides the structure to turn a lifelong passion into a legacy.

Over the course of 12 months, students move far beyond the basics. Under the mentorship of industry experts, they master photography basics before moving on to developing their own style, eventually earning a photography certification and finishing with a capstone exhibition at the end of their program.

Praise for Huan

Huan’s success is no accident. While the SPC Academy provided the technical foundation and the mentorship of teachers like Catherine Lewis and Fabiana Nunes along the way, it was Huan’s own tenacity and talent that allowed her to make her mark on the art scene in Basel.

Now she is happily living her photography dream. At her gallery & studio, she creates her own art and also helps other artists gain visibility for theirs.

Learn more about Huan’s work at the Galerie Sechs website.

Learn more about the SPC Academy 1-year Professional Development Program

Your creative dreams shouldn’t have to wait for “someday.”

Is It Your Turn? Join an upcoming Information Session to see how SPC Academy can help you bring your own dreams to life.

The post From Finance to Fine Art: The Inspiring Success of Huan Cao appeared first on Swiss Photo Club Blog.

Winners

Jury Prize

Canon EOS R8 + RF 24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM lens

Guido Lurati

Screws City

1st Public Prize

CHF 1500 Gift voucher for a SPC Photo Tour

Eloisa Jacomelli

Gatherer of Offerings

2nd Public Prize

Patona Powerbank, Lowepro Photosport Backpack, Manfrotto 190 XPRO Aluminium Tripod

Dennis Nürnberger

Wink from the Deep

3rd Public Prize

Shimoda Action X30 V2 Starter kit

Uwe Boesl

Waiting for the local train!

Most-voted small photo

Lume Cube Broadcast Lighting Kit

Jill Blum

Buntes Leben auf dem Titicacasee

Bonus Prize

Lifetime subscription to Pictrs

Pascal Kramer

Noel Niederberger (CH) im Racefocus

Sponsors

The post Winners: SPC Photo Awards Zurich December 2025 appeared first on Swiss Photo Club Blog.

Prize Winners

Jury Prize

Tamron lens 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2

Marco Paterlini : The Mask Of Rebellion

1st Place - Public Vote

SPC Photo Trip Voucher worth CHF 1500

Patricia Walter : Les coussinets du géant

2nd Place - Public Vote

Shimoda backpack + Manfrotto tripod

Jérémy Burkli : Heaven Flirt

3rd Place - Public Vote

Shimoda backpack + Patona control monitor

Xan White : Fox in the alley

Public Vote: Most voted small print

Lowepro backpack

Ivy Kigundu Toure : Man In The Garden – Tranquility

Bonus Prize: Pictrs Selection

Lifetime Ultimate membership at Pictrs.com

Hailey Heersche : Blue shark

Results from Public Voting

Here are the results of the public voting: 

First choice: 3pts, Second choice: 2pts, Third choice: 1pt

Public Vote Results

Ranking	Photo #	Photographer	Photo Title	Points
#1	278	Patricia Walter	Les coussinets du géant	56
#2	163	Jérémy Burkli	Heaven Flirt	54
#3	332	Xan White	Fox in the alley	53
#4	116	Gautier Boillat	Entre virages et montagnes	52
#4	198	Lionel Egger	Ntomba Walé woman in DR Congo	52
#6	25	Beatrice Domas Chavanne	Bouquetins	50
#7	255	Nadejda Jourovski	Floral Maternity Magic	48
#8	125	Gregoire Surply	Eclat du silence	40
#9	146	Ivy Kigundu Toure	Man In The Garden Tranquility	39
#10	292	Romain Streit	En direction de Poudlard	37
#10	324	Thierry LAVE	Dans le soleil	37
#12	182	Lambert Woringer	Danseuse flamme dur miroir noir	31
#13	90	Elodie Pachoud	Les grains d amour	30
#13	303	Roman Piwowarski	Theater	30
#15	145	Ivy Kigundu Toure	Man In The Garden I Deserve It All	28
#15	154	Jan Arnold	Rest on Blue	28
#17	119	Gavin Steiner	Gone fishing!	27
#17	141	Isabelle Fontana	Pile au bon moment	27
#17	322	Thibaut Jossein	Mountain layers	27
#20	55	Christiana Miles	Just doing my squats	25
#20	102	François Naef	Spirit animal	25
#22	226	Marco Paterlini	The Mask Of Rebellion	24
#23	290	Robbie Smith	Not Monday Again!!	23
#24	9	Alfredo Diego	Luces y sombras	22
#25	120	Giulia Romanato	Girafes en Namibie	21
#25	144	Ivy Kigundu Toure	Man In The Garden Human First	21
#27	67	Clara Kasser	Snowy Shabbat stroll in Brooklyn	20
#27	183	Lambert Woringer	Elegance et sérénité	20
#29	335	Xavier Joly	Escalier_NB	19
#30	3	Adrien Fonjallaz	Explorateur céleste	18
#30	236	Mathilde Perrin	Emotions et éléphants du désert	18
#30	275	Paola Monte	Magnétisme	18
#33	345	Yauheni Akulich	The Exit	17
#34	175	Judith Mijderwijk	Tamaskan Wolf Dog	16
#34	190	Laurent Fasel	Diorama miniature échelle 43ème Docks	16
#34	293	Romain Streit	Symphonie polaire	16
#34	354	Yoann THURRE	Mur de grimpe - Bains des Pâquis	16
#38	227	Markus Reis	La Grave2025	15
#38	314	Sylvain Martin	Esprit du désert	15
#38	326	Thierry LAVE	Me me me	15
#41	214	Lynn Grant	Le King	14
#41	258	Nady Rizk	Silhouettes of Strength - Beqaa, Lebanon	14
#43	126	Gregoire Surply	Elan sauvage	13
#43	149	James Groo	Matterhorn	13
#45	15	Alix Oberson	Regard Ocre	12
#45	22	Asan Kurtishi	Cascade d Engstligen	12
#45	75	Dimitri Pegada	Bonito Cubano	12
#45	137	Haridja Layaz	Human Flow	12
#45	187	Lambert Woringer	Voyage dans le souffle de la terre	12
#51	108	François Paccaud	Je ne fais que passer	11
#51	166	Jody Berns	Nature or Nurture	11
#51	186	Lambert Woringer	Sous le ciel des ancêtres	11
#51	235	Mathilde Perrin	Complicité et éléphants du désert	11
#51	325	Thierry LAVE	Geneva Urban Reflections	11
#55	39	Caro Blackwell	The hidden corners of Venice	10
#55	101	François Naef	Slingshot	10
#55	103	François Paccaud	A lombre de tes ailes	10
#55	114	Garance Louvin	Un château dans les arbres	10
#55	124	Giulia Zen	Portrait of a man in turquoise	10
#55	168	Joel Gerlier	Des bas et des eaux	10
#55	277	Patricia Comte Werly	Nuage d elegance	10
#55	304	Ruedi Stuker	Under the weather	10
#55	334	Xavier Joly	Cornavin	10
#64	76	Dimitri Pegada	Plus de fierté quand ta eu aucune aide	9
#64	89	Elodie Pachoud	Le reflet du Soleil	9
#64	128	Gregoire Surply	Veilleur de nuit	9
#64	134	Hailey Heersche	Blue shark	9
#64	138	Haridja Layaz	Shadowed Gaze	9
#64	172	Jordi Oriol Serra	Marseilles	9
#64	251	Miguel Estrella	Ice Cream	9
#64	265	Nathanaëlle Bugnon	Regard d'hiver	9
#64	280	Pierre-Alain Gogniat	Ici coule la rivière	9
#64	323	Thibaut Jossein	Winter traffic	9
#73	50	Charlotte Berns	Life goes on	8
#73	72	Coline Ūdre	Come pick me up	8
#73	93	Erdal Atukeren	Iguaçu Falls Brazil	8
#73	97	Frances Bruchez	Suri  tribe, Ethiopia	8
#73	160	Jean-Cédrick Tossa	Summer 2012	8
#73	178	Laetitia Lafrance	Diva	8
#73	240	MAUD MONNET	Douce lueur	8
#73	249	Miguel Estrella	Dreams	8
#73	259	Nady Rizk	Watching the Watcher - Jazz Festival	8
#73	274	Nolan Roth	the simplicity of the world	8
#73	321	Thibaut Jossein	Ibex, king of the Alps	8
#85	11	Aline Kurth	Photosynthèse	7
#85	56	Christiana Miles	Kids love snow	7
#85	110	Franz Wagner	Abeille occupée	7
#85	162	Jean-Cédrick Tossa	Symmetry Axis	7
#85	164	Jérémy Burkli	White Tip Shark Eye	7
#85	184	Lambert Woringer	Pure agilité	7
#85	199	Lorène Frachet	Let The Sunshine In	7
#85	230	Matheus Lipari	paradise	7
#85	264	Nathanaëlle Bugnon	L'appel du nid	7
#85	351	Yoann THURRE	Geai des chênes - Valais	7
#95	36	Carine Pillinini	Repos	6
#95	64	Christina Calantzis	Marguerite	6
#95	87	Elizabeth Strebel	Moro Sphynx	6
#95	224	Marc Heiniger	Tendresse fleurie	6
#95	296	Roman Piwowarski	Cruse	6
#95	340	Yann Couëdel	Le héron	6
#96	45	Caroline Mathys	Rencontre sauvage	5
#96	80	Dominique Landry	Fiat Abarth course Ollon Villars 2025	5
#96	107	François Paccaud	Il aspire a la paix	5
#96	158	Jean-Cédrick Tossa	Light in the Dark	5
#96	181	Lambert Woringer	Atterrissage tout en beauté	5
#96	205	Louise Reul	Regard félin	5
#96	228	Markus Reis	Lofoten2025	5
#96	237	Mathilde Perrin	Le regard de Mawensi	5
#96	238	Matteo Mastrangelo	Festival du printemps deuxième édition	5
#96	241	Maxim Fedorov	Child watching nuclear bomb test	5
#96	263	Nathalie Waridel	Mer Aral Ouzbékistan	5
#96	269	Nicolò Compagno	La dolce vita	5
#96	279	Paulo Rodrigues	Fountain rue Stephen RousseauNoirEtBlanc	5
#96	302	Roman Piwowarski	Sunrise	5
#96	327	Thomas Berns	The Stream of Life	5
#96	331	Véronique CHAPPUIS	Ecrevisse grise et son nuage de sableb	5
#96	350	Yoann THURRE	Ecureuil roux	5

Sponsors

The post Winners: SPC Photo Awards Geneva October 2025 appeared first on Swiss Photo Club Blog.