The "Capture the Dark" Photo Contest: Guarding the Night Sky Through the Lens

The winners of the 2025 “Capture the Dark” photo contest, organized by DarkSky International (the leading global organization dedicated to protecting the night from light pollution), have now been announced. Beautiful work depends on beautiful dark skies—and what makes this contest special is that it includes a dedicated category for “the impact of light pollution.” Anyone interested can head to the official website to view the winning entries in each category.

Below, I’ve briefly translated and organized the description of this contest from DarkSky International’s official website (the content is translated from DarkSky International’s official materials).

About the “Capture the Dark” Photo Contest

Now in its fifth year, the “Capture the Dark” photo contest has become a globally recognized event—earning acclaim and influence not only within the dark sky movement but also across the wider photography world. It is widely regarded as an important platform for “responsible nighttime photography and astrophotography,” encouraging photographers to capture the beauty of dark skies and nocturnal environments while adhering to an ethical code—namely, DarkSky’s Principles for Responsible Astrophotography.

This year’s contest received a record 2,284 submissions from more than 22 countries, spanning subjects as varied as magnificent Milky Way vistas and rare nocturnal wildlife.

Why This Contest Matters

Light pollution is still growing at an alarming rate—by nearly 10% worldwide each year. It not only damages vital wildlife ecosystems but also threatens the health and well-being of communities, and it gradually dims our view of the starry sky. DarkSky International is committed to reversing this trend through advocacy, education, and the promotion of “responsible, community-friendly outdoor lighting” programs.

“Capture the Dark” has become an important effort to raise public awareness: it harnesses the power of photography not only to showcase the wonders of the night sky, but also, through its several contest categories, to concretely portray the impact of light pollution.

At its core, this is more than a stunning collection of images—it is a call to action, urging people to protect the night together.

Further Links (DarkSky International, Official)

• 2025 winners: https://darksky.org/what-we-do/events/photo-contest/2025-winners/
• Principles for Responsible Astrophotography: https://darksky.org/news/darkskys-principles-for-responsible-astrophotography/