Jorge Perez Ortiz has won the Best Phone Picture Award 2026 for an image taken on his iPhone. The photograph, part of his series The Swimmers, captures athletes at a pool used during Barcelona's 1992 Olympic Games, with the city's cathedral and Torre Glòries skyscraper visible in the background.
Ortiz began the project after a life-changing accident three years ago. While travelling by boat from Cartagena, Colombia, a strong wave caused him to fracture a vertebra, requiring emergency surgery. The experience inspired a new appreciation for the human body and resilience.
“I was really surprised by the confidence they showed in front of the camera and the powerful energy they transmitted,” Ortiz said of the swimmers from Barcelona's Sabadell and Mediterranean teams. He directed their positions but did not pose them.
The series, now a book published by Alep Publishing, was primarily shot on medium format film, but Ortiz used his iPhone 16 Pro Max to assist with setup. The winning image was captured on the phone.
Ortiz, who now lives in Barcelona, said the accident sparked a newfound appreciation for life. “With the support of a coach, I began swimming, and I felt compelled to document this world with my camera,” he added.
