Malaysia, 22 October 2026 — Epson has announced the winners of the 17th Epson International Pano Awards, recognising outstanding panoramic photography talent from around the world, with Bangkok-based photographer Wutimet Bunyasirisith emerging as the Southeast Asia Open Photographer of the Year 2026. The achievement highlights the growing prominence of Southeast Asian photographers on the international stage, showcasing their artistic vision and technical expertise in capturing extraordinary landscapes.
Bunyasirisith, a photographer specialising in landscape, fine art and travel photography, earned the regional title with his breathtaking panoramic image, The Emerald Arch Over Lofoten, Norway. The photograph captures a rare, complete arch of the Northern Lights illuminating a towering mountain peak, with the spectacular natural phenomenon reflected across the mirror-like waters of a freezing coastline.
Describing the experience behind his award-winning photograph, Bunyasirisith explained that the aurora borealis formed a remarkable curve around the mountain, creating a scene too expansive to capture in a single frame, even with his 12mm ultra-wide lens. He therefore resorted to panoramic photography, combining multiple frames to reveal the full celestial display. The final composition unveiled a complete arch of the Northern Lights framing the mountain peak, complemented by the striking reflection on the calm shoreline.
However, capturing the image required considerable determination as Bunyasirisith worked in freezing temperatures and biting winds, even wading into icy seawater to achieve the desired shot. Despite the challenging conditions, he expressed pride in bringing his vision to life, describing the experience as a rewarding achievement made possible through patience, perseverance and technical precision.
Epson Malaysia Managing Director Alvin Tan said the company was delighted to celebrate exceptional photographic talent from Southeast Asia for the third consecutive year. He noted that Bunyasirisith’s achievement reflected the growing trend of regional photographers travelling to distant destinations to capture compelling panoramic images that meet international standards.
Tan added that the photographer’s work demonstrated the passion, creativity and technical discipline defining Southeast Asia’s photography community. He also reaffirmed Epson’s commitment to supporting visual storytellers through advanced printing solutions that preserve the depth, scale and vibrant colours of their photographic work.
Meanwhile, competition curator David Evans highlighted the unique balance of artistic creativity and technical mastery required in panoramic photography, particularly when working with unpredictable natural phenomena such as the Northern Lights. He praised Bunyasirisith’s ability to produce a seamless, full-arch composition in sub-zero temperatures, describing the achievement as an impressive demonstration of photographic skill.
Evans also noted that the consistent quality of entries from Southeast Asian photographers continues to push the boundaries of visual storytelling, composition and scale within the international photography community.
The 17th Epson International Pano Awards continues to serve as a global platform for photographers to showcase their creativity and technical capabilities. Epson Southeast Asia and Epson Australia are jointly sponsoring the competition for the third consecutive year, supporting photographers through imaging technologies such as Epson SureColor professional photo printers and ultra-slim projectors designed to deliver accurate colours and durable archival-quality prints.
Through its continued involvement, Epson aims to empower photographers worldwide while celebrating the artistic possibilities of panoramic photography and strengthening the visibility of talented visual storytellers from Southeast Asia.
To view the full gallery of winning and top images, visit: https://thepanoawards.com/2026-winners-gallery/
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