The Guardian showcases a selection of images from the 2026 LensCulture critics' choice awards, an open competition with no set theme that invites photographers of all backgrounds to submit work exploring identity, place, politics and personal experience. The pieces shown here were chosen as personal favourites by the 19 photography experts who judged this year's contest, reflecting the breadth of styles and subjects photography can capture worldwide.

– Yangjun Peng (China) – Unseen Landscape, exploring China's terrain
– Mark Fitton (US) – Pictures with Janet, a decade-long collaboration with his aunt, who has Down's syndrome, exploring disability and creative connection
– Mattia Corato (UK) – Along the River Lea, documenting the communities and urban nature of east London's waterways
– Adam Lin (UK) – Sonder, examining Taiwanese and Asian masculinity within the family home across London and Taichung
– Valentina Sinis (Italy) – The Last Butterflies, portraying female Kurdish guerrilla fighters of the PJAK's Women's Protection Forces (HPJ)
– Ashkan Shabani (Germany) – The Quiet Rise, documenting the growing visibility of neo-Nazi and far-right groups in Germany during 2024–2025
– Mehrdad Fathi (Iran) – The Burning of Autumn, depicting wildfires engulfing Iran's ancient Hyrcanian forests