Series description
This series is a tribute to the moment when light and earth meet at their most dramatic point. Exploring the Argentine and Chilean Patagonia region during autumn, the photographer sought to capture the last glow of a season that transforms the landscape into a stage of fire and stone. The photographer explains that through these images, the borders between nations disappear, revealing a geographical unity created by the crimson hues of beech trees and the golden light caressing the peaks of the Andes. It is a record of silence, of waiting, and of the beauty of a cycle fading before the arrival of the winter snows.
The Gateway of Light
In this panoramic view, the Paine River guides the viewer towards the central massif, which sits under a dramatic sky. Light filters through the clouds, illuminating the valley and marking the start of a journey into the heart of Patagonia.
© Daniel Clavería, Chile, Shortlist, Professional Competition, Landscape, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
Through the Ancient Wood
A play on perspective using the skeletons of ancient trees to frame the horizon. It is a look at the past and present of an ecosystem that slowly regenerates under the gaze of stone giants.
© Daniel Clavería, Chile, Shortlist, Professional Competition, Landscape, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
Reflections of Serenity
Calm waters act as a perfect mirror, doubling the magnitude of the snow-capped peaks in the distance. The golden hue of the shoreline vegetation emphasises the stillness of a windless autumn morning.
© Daniel Clavería, Chile, Shortlist, Professional Competition, Landscape, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
Storm over the Towers
Heavy clouds and filtered light over the Torres del Paine capture the tension and raw power of the southern wilderness, showcasing Patagonia's unpredictable weather.
© Daniel Clavería, Chile, Shortlist, Professional Competition, Landscape, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
The Final Veil
The peaks bid farewell amidst shreds of low clouds and a melancholic light. This image closes the series, capturing the essence of ‘the last glow’ — a majestic beauty that fades to make way for winter.
© Daniel Clavería, Chile, Shortlist, Professional Competition, Landscape, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
The Peak of Fire
The visual climax of the series: the first light of dawn strikes the granite walls of Mount Fitz Roy, creating a crimson glow that lasts only a few seconds before fading.
© Daniel Clavería, Chile, Shortlist, Professional Competition, Landscape, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
Nature’s Frame
Using local flora as a natural frame, this composition highlights the contrast between the vibrant orange of the ‘lenga’ trees and the cold blue of distant glaciers, creating a depth that invites the viewer onto the path.
© Daniel Clavería, Chile, Shortlist, Professional Competition, Landscape, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards