A striking portrait of a man standing barefoot at the mouth of one of the world’s most active volcanoes has earned Australian photographer Ellie Leontiev the top prize in a major international photography competition. Leontiev was named “Open Photographer of the Year” in the Open Category of the Sony World Photography Awards 2026, beating more than 430,000 entries worldwide. The award was presented at a gala ceremony in London on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
The winning image was taken on Tanna Island in Vanuatu, set against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Yasur. It features a local man, Filipp Yamah, wearing a silver heat-resistant suit while standing barefoot on a molten lava bomb. Locals refer to him as the “barefoot volcanologist.” Because Yamah wears a size 20 shoe, finding footwear that fits him is nearly impossible.
Despite having no formal education, Yamah has spent years studying the behavior of Mount Yasur. He trained under French volcanologist Thomas Bauer, has guided numerous international research teams and National Geographic expeditions, and has even led high-profile visitors, including actor Will Smith, to the volcano’s crater.
Leontiev reportedly worked under extremely challenging conditions while capturing the image. A power short circuit in a nearby village disabled his camera’s screen and digital interface. He was forced to rely solely on the autofocus sensor’s beeping sound to take the shot.
Speaking to The Guardian after the London ceremony, Leontiev said: “This award feels like an acknowledgement of life itself. But its true value is that it gives an international platform to the stories of the people I photograph.”
Leontiev originally travelled to Vanuatu and Fiji on a documentary assignment focused on women’s rights. From there, he visited Tanna Island, where he spent a week with Yamah’s community. Only after building trust and participating in local ceremonies was he granted permission to take the portrait.
Describing the image, Leontiev said it is not simply about volcano imagery, but about the silent authority and presence of the volcano in Yamah’s life. “It reflects knowledge, the pursuit of dreams, coexistence, cultural heritage, and respect for nature,” he said.
Yamah dreams that his son will receive higher education and become Vanuatu’s first formally recognized volcanologist. Leontiev and filmmaker Guillaume Bodeau have launched a crowdfunding campaign that has already raised significant funds to support Yamah’s family goals.
With a 15-year career, Leontiev describes his work as a blend of fine art and documentary storytelling. Speaking about photography in the age of artificial intelligence, he said: “As AI blurs the line between real and artificial, the value of images rooted in human experience, presence, and truth has increased. AI can never replace our desire for authenticity and human connection.”
