Epson has announced the winners of the 17th Epson International Pano Awards, a prestigious global competition celebrating the talent and creativity of panoramic photographers from around the world. Epson Southeast Asia, together with Epson Australia, has continued its support as a principal sponsor for the third consecutive year, helping nurture photographic talent and showcase the region’s photographers on the international stage.
The 2026 Pano Awards Southeast Asia Open Photographer of the Year title has been awarded to Wutimet Bunyasirisith, a Bangkok-based photographer specialising in landscape, fine art and travel photography. His winning panoramic photograph, “The Emerald Arch Over Lofoten, Norway,” captures the breathtaking spectacle of the Northern Lights forming an arch above towering mountain peaks in Norway, with their vivid colours reflected on a tranquil, mirror-like sea. The result is a striking composition that conveys the extraordinary beauty of this natural phenomenon.
Reflecting on the story behind the photograph, Wutimet explained that the Northern Lights were so expansive that he could not capture the entire scene in a single frame, even with an ultra-wide 12mm lens. He therefore employed panoramic photography techniques, stitching together multiple frames to reveal the complete scene. Through this process, he discovered that the aurora had formed a perfect arch around the mountain peaks.
The photograph required him to contend with freezing temperatures and strong winds, as well as venture into the extremely cold seawater to achieve the desired composition. He added that being able to transform an imagined scene into a finished photograph under such challenging conditions was a source of immense pride.
Mr. Shih Jin Kiat, Regional Managing Director of Epson Southeast Asia, said Epson was delighted to celebrate the achievements of photographers across the region for the third consecutive year. Wutimet’s success, he noted, reflects the dedication, vision and technical expertise of Southeast Asian photographers who travel the world to capture extraordinary scenes and perspectives.
He reaffirmed Epson’s commitment to supporting photographers with world-class printing solutions that bring out the full depth, detail and colour of their images, enabling them to present their work to its fullest potential.
Mr. David Evans, curator of the Epson International Pano Awards, commented that panoramic photography demands both artistic vision and technical mastery, particularly when capturing unpredictable natural phenomena such as the Northern Lights. Wutimet’s winning image demonstrates his skill in composing the aurora into a perfectly formed arch while working in sub-zero temperatures.
He also praised photographers from Southeast Asia for their continued development and growing ability to communicate compelling stories and perspectives through photography.
As joint principal sponsors, Epson Southeast Asia and Epson Australia remain committed to supporting photographers worldwide through professional imaging technologies. These include the Epson SureColor photo printer range and ultra-slimline projectors designed to deliver accurate colour reproduction, while supporting the long-term preservation of printed works.
To explore the award-winning photographs and other outstanding entries, visit the official winners’ gallery: https://thepanoawards.com/2026-winners-gallery/
Image usage guidelines: When publishing any photographs, please credit the respective photographer and identify the competition as “The 17th Epson International Pano Awards”. The official website, https://thepanoawards.com, must also be credited. The title of the photograph and its location may be included where appropriate.
