/ 2026 / Nature / Astrophotography

• Prize
  Honorable Mention
• Photographer
  Aude Nowak, France
• Date of Photograph
  19/03/2026
• Studio
  Odyssey's Dream
• Website
  https://odysseysdream.com/
• Instagram
  https://www.instagram.com/odysseysdream/

In late March 2026, I went up to the Gornergrat (3,100m) to capture a vast panorama. While shooting by -17°C, I noticed Gemini, Jupiter, and Orion were aligning with the Gornergrat and the Matterhorn. I also noticed that the observatory dome was open with a group of people observing the stars. I hurried my panorama shots to capture the fleeting scene just before the dome closed. The final image prompts a question: who is observing whom? Man, the stars, or the mountain? For these reasons, I chose to name this image The Observer.

A traveler, adventurer, and dreamer, Aude began night photography in the era of film, then moved away from it during the transition to digital photography. She studied and worked in international development and lived for several years in Europe (England), Asia (Laos), and Africa (Mozambique). A life-changing event brought her back to Europe, and led her to the mountains of Switzerland and Haute-Savoie in 2015. The mountains inspired her, the nights were spectacular, and modern techniques made possible images once reserved for NASA: Aude returned to night photography and made it her profession

Awards International Photo Awards, 2026
Image "Milky Way Imperial" : 2nd place in the Nature/Astrophotography - Professional Category

Image "Endless second" : Honorable mention in the Nature/Astrophotography - Professional Category

Berlin Photo Awards, 2026
Image "Beyond the horizon" : Honorable mention in the Astrophotography category

Picture for Nature Competition, 2026
Picture for Nature Association
Image “Life”: 1st Prize in the World’s Natural Landscapes category

Les Étoiles de l’Astronomie Competition, 2025
French Astronomy Association
Image “High Way Men”: Finalist in the Man and the Sky category

Astronomy Photographer of the Year Competition, 2024
Royal Museums Greenwich
Image “Envol”: Finalist in the Skyscapes category

Les Étoiles de l’Astronomie Competition, 2024
French Astronomy Association
Image “Beauty and the Beast”: Finalist in the Heritage and Natural Heritage category

Picture for Nature Competition, 2024
Picture for Nature Association
Image “Beauty and the Beast”: 3rd Prize in the World’s Natural Landscapes category

Beautiful Landscapes Competition, 2023
Greenstorm Foundation, in partnership with the G20 Global Land Initiative
Image “United”: Finalist

Picture for Nature Competition, 2023
Picture for Nature Association
Image “Volcanic Eruption”: 1st Prize in the World’s Natural Landscapes category