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DNO - “Fish Eyes”, a striking portrait of a fisherman in Hoi An, Da Nang, Vietnam has just been crowned the overall winner of the LCE Photographer of the Year 2026 competition in the United Kingdom.
This award highlights how everyday moments can resonate on a global stage.
A spontaneous moment of everyday life
According to Digital Camera World, the image was captured by Sophia Spurgin, a retired teacher and amateur photographer from Hertfordshire (the UK).
Spurgin has won the Travel category and has been named the overall winner of the LCE Photographer of the Year 2026 Awards after her work “Fish Eyes” had stood out among more than 14,500 entries at this prestigious competition.
The portrait captures an authentic slice of local life - natural and unposed -at the close of a photography session. In a spontaneous and playful interaction, Spurgin engaged with a fisherman, who responded by lifting two freshly caught fish in front of his face.
Spurgin explains, "The photo shows a Vietnamese fisherman holding two fish in front of his eyes. There is a fishing net behind him. I took this on a boat in Hoi An, Vietnam. I had been taking photos of him fishing, and this was the playful end of the photography session".
The playful symmetry behind “Fish Eyes”
The image carries a subtle sense of humor. The fish are perfectly aligned with the fisherman’s eyes, creating a striking symmetry that immediately draws the viewer’s attention.
The clever visual wordplay, combined with the subject’s playful gesture, transforms a fleeting travel moment into a memorable and ultimately award-winning photograph.
Inparticular, the title itself - “Fish Eyes” - further enhances the photograph’s appeal.
Securing the overall grand prize, Spurgin won a total of £3,000 to spend on photographic gear at LCE - having beaten the other other category winners.
Also, her work, along with other winning entries, was exhibited at the National Exhibition Centre.
Beyond the award itself, the success of “Fish Eyes” also brings international attention to Vietnam’s coastal life and cultural authenticity.
The LCE Photographer of the Year 2026 Awards, organized by photo retailer London Camera Exchange, celebrate outstanding photography across 14 diverse categories, including landscape, portrait, macro, street, and more.
The competition is open to both amateur and professional photographers worldwide.
Since its launch in 2024, it has aimed to uncover new talent and promote creative expression across diverse categories, from portrait and landscape to wildlife and street photography.
As a member of the Bishop’s Stortford Camera Club, Spurgin has been an active participant in photography competitions and has previously earned recognition from the Royal Photographic Society.
Her portfolio often focuses on everyday life and nature, themes that are clearly reflected in the winning image.