NTD International Photography Competition Celebrates Traditional Aesthetics and Human Values

In an era dominated by digital manipulation, the NTD International Photography Competition stands out as a celebration of authentic imagery and traditional artistic principles. The competition, organized by Latest Tang Dynasty (NTD) Television, aims to promote cultural and artistic exchange while honoring values like kindness, beauty, luminosity, and naturalism.

A Global Platform for Photographers

The NTD International Photography Competition invites photographers from around the world, regardless of their career stage, to participate. The competition provides a platform for artists to showcase their talent, share their work with a broader audience, and contribute to preserving cultural heritage. Over 1,000 artists from more than 100 countries submitted over 2,000 works for the 5th annual competition.

Emphasis on Traditional Aesthetics

Unlike many contemporary photography contests, the NTD competition prioritizes images that reflect a sense of “traditional aesthetics” and “unprocessed purity.” The focus is on capturing genuine moments and the inherent beauty of the subject matter, rather than relying on extensive post-processing or manipulation. Judges emphasize light, composition, and compassion when selecting winning photos.

2026 Competition Highlights and Winners

The 5th NTD International Photography Competition culminated in an exhibition at the Salmagundi Club in New York City, featuring works by 110 artists from 24 countries, and an awards ceremony held on January 29, 2026. Winners were selected in two categories: ‘Nature and Landscape’ and ‘Social Relations and Humanity.’

Gold Award Winners

• Nature and Landscape: Cho Cho Win (Myanmar) – ‘Bagan Evening Scenery.’ This photograph captures the ancient capital of Bagan during the “golden hour,” showcasing the majestic pagodas, temples, and monasteries shrouded in fog. Judges praised the image for embodying a “heavenly scene” that combines the wonders of nature and human life.
• Social Relations and Humanity: Adrian Yu (Hong Kong) – ‘The World Needs Truth, Goodness, and Humanity.’ This image documents a democracy march in Hong Kong on July 1, 2019, focusing on Falun Gong practitioners and their message of “Truth, goodness, patience.” Yu stated he aimed to capture the hearts of citizens seeking truth and opposing unfair persecution.

Silver and Bronze Award Winners

Other notable winners included:

• Silver (Social Relations and Humanity): Gina Pottenger (USA) – ‘Heavy Rain,’ a photograph taken in Côte d’Ivoire depicting a boy receiving raindrops with wonder. Pottenger prioritizes portraying human dignity in her work.
• Silver (Nature and Landscape): Ronaldo Andrade (Brazil) – ‘Los Cuernos,’ showcasing the landscapes of Patagonia.
• Silver (Nature and Landscape): Tsai Min-lun (Taiwan) – ‘Dead Tree on Dry Land,’ praised for its solemn depiction of nature and life’s trajectory.
• Bronze (Nature and Landscape): Chen Chin-rung (Taiwan) – ‘Homecoming,’ capturing the harmony between life and nature.
• Bronze (Nature and Landscape): Matthew John (USA) – ‘Crimson Longing,’ highlighting the vibrant energy of nature.
• Bronze (Nature and Landscape): Ivan Macias (Mexico) – ‘Green Passage,’ expressing the vitality of nature.
• Bronze (Social Relations and Humanity): Nico Sato (Chile) – ‘The Eternal Captain,’ portraying the strength and dignity of a person weathered by time.
• Bronze (Social Relations and Humanity): Li Ping (Taiwan) – ‘Deep Friendship,’ capturing the bond between brothers.
• Bronze (Social Relations and Humanity): Zhang Mingxuan (Taiwan) – ‘The Horsemen,’ depicting dynamic scenes of life.
• Bronze (Social Relations and Humanity): Aung Chan Thar (Myanmar) – ‘Happiest Moments,’ capturing pure human joy.

A Commitment to Cultural Values

Hosted by NTD TV, a sister media outlet of The Epoch Times, the competition is part of a broader effort to protect and promote traditional human values. The competition aims to return photography to its original purpose – to capture and celebrate beautiful, meaningful moments.

All award-winning works can be viewed on the official website: Photo.NTDTV.com.