An amateur photographer has gone viral after a striking portrait of a Vietnamese fisherman won top honors at the LCE Photographer of the Year 2026 competition. The image – featuring the fisherman holding two fish precisely aligned over his eyes – captivated judges with its symmetry, humour and storytelling.
The photograph, shot on a Canon EOS R5 Mark II, has since become a defining moment in Sophia Spurgin's creative journey. What began as a spontaneous interaction during her travels has now led to global recognition, with the image helping secure her the overall competition win and opening the door to a major lens upgrade.
