18-year-old photographer uses decade-old DSLR to shoot mystical bird image that wins one of Europe's most prestigious wildlife photography awards

Silhouetted swans gliding on a calm lake at sunset, reflected in the glowing orange water — The young photographer first spotted the lake while out walking and decided to return before dawn the following morning. Now 'Swan lake' wins a major wildlife photography award (Image credit: GDT EWPY 2026, Szymon Bartold)

A now 18-year-old photographer has turned a misty morning and a lake full of swans into an award-winning wildlife image – using a Nikon DSLR that's been around for a decade.

Szymon Bartold's Swan lake captures the birds gliding through glowing orange hues at sunrise, their silhouettes reflected in the water's surface to create an almost mystical scene. As mute swans rose majestically from the mist, bathed in golden light, he pressed the shutter.

Previously, the image won Silver at the Bird Photographer of the Year competition. Now it was awarded the top prize in the 14-17 years Youth Category of the GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, selected by the German Society for Nature Photography. It is one of Europe's major wildlife photography contests.

Winner: Youth Category | 14-17 years

Close-up of a Nikon D5 DSLR camera with a large lens against a black background — Nikon D5 review insight: "The Nikon D5's AF system, rugged build, continuous shooting speed and buffer capacity are still well ahead of any other camera not designed for this kind of work, and its 4K video capabilities will still pass muster even today" (Image credit: Nikon)

Image info
Title: Swan lake

Tech details
Camera: Nikon D5
Lens: 150-600mm f/5-6.3
Exposure: 1/6400sec, f/6.3, ISO 1000

Story behind the still
Szymon explains, "Out walking, I came across a lake with a large number of waterbirds, and decided to return before dawn the next morning.

"Well hidden, I watched as mute swans (Cygnus olor) rose majestically out of the mist in a scene bathed in gold light.

"One perfect moment, one frame – and a feeling of pure joy I'll never forget."

Discover all winning images on the GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year website.

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Kim is a photographer, editor and writer with work published internationally. She holds a Master's degree in Photography and Media and was formerly Technique Editor at Digital Photographer, focusing on the art and science of photography. Kim covers everything from breaking industry news and camera gear to the stories shaping photography today. Blending technical expertise with visual insight, she explores photography's time-honored yet ever-evolving role in culture.