Kodak Winter Competition 2025: The Top 20 Winners!

Each winter, we lift the seasonal gloom by inviting our wonderful film photography community to share their favourite shots - either rediscovered gems or fresh captures - on a specially chosen Kodak film. For 2025, we turned the spotlight on one of our all-time bestsellers and community favourites: Kodak UltraMax 400 35mm film. We were thrilled to once again welcome the brilliant Andy Church from Kodak Alaris to Analogue Wonderland HQ, where he joined us to review the standout entries and select his top 20 favourite images from this year’s Kodak Winter Competition 2025. Watch Andy and I chat through his picks and reveal the winner in our YouTube video - tune in for the full discussion and visual highlights!

Kodak UltraMax is a community favourite for its vibrant colours and forgiving exposure latitude - perfect even for those gloomy winter days (as you'll see in the final selection!). Once again, we were blown away by the quality and variety of your submissions and are so thankful for every one of you who took the time to share your brilliant work. With over 600 entries, whittling them down to a top 20 was no small feat, but one our judge Andy relished. “Best way to spend a Sunday afternoon!” he said. We welcomed film photographers from around the world to enter their best Kodak UltraMax 35mm shots into our free competition. The top 5 will receive a bundle of Kodak films of their choice, and all 20 finalists will get their winning images professionally printed and sent by our in-house WonderLab.

Whether you’ve already watched the YouTube video or prefer to enjoy the winning Kodak UltraMax images with a coffee in hand - sit back, relax, and scroll on…

Top 5 Images

#1 Zdravko Stoitchkov - WINNER

Our first place winning image was shot by Zdravko Stoitchkov. When asked what they liked about this photo, they said: “I was in Kew Gardens with my Zenit + Flektogon and spotted a little bug on top of some colourful flowers (bluebells I believe) and took advantage of the close focus available to that lens and the beautiful rendering of colours that UltraMax has gave me this beautiful result. By far my favourite colour film.”

What does Zdravko enjoy about Kodak UltraMax? “The smooth colours and latitude in both highlights and shadows.” Congratulations, Zdravko! 👏

#2 Sam Harper

Our second place image was shot by Sam Harper. When asked what they liked about this photo, they said: “The photo is one of the earliest I took on film and it's what made me decide to keep up this hobby, an early morning shot of Nelson's Column with this lovely clouded sun, taken the morning after my final day at a job I quit due to hating, resulting in a hopeful mood whenever I look at it.”

What does Sam enjoy about Kodak UltraMax? “The higher ISO lets me be more versatile with day shooting as well as evening shots, plus its warmer shade provides a classic nostalgic tone to photos that you don't get from other C41 stock at 400+ ISO.”

#3 Lucy Horton

Our third place image was shot by Lucy Horton. When asked what they liked about this photo, they said: “I love the soft, quiet, cosy vibes film gives snow. I like the contrast of the cool forefront and the warmer, sunny background. The sun hitting the trees in the back feels hopeful, like a new day and warmth is on its way. I also like the framing of the tree in sunlight covered by the branches in shadow.”

What does Lucy enjoy about Kodak UltraMax? “It's a very versatile film that handles low light well, but the colours really pop in the sunshine. It is generally my go to film and what I always take with me when I go on holiday.”

#4 Colm Sheppard

Our fourth place image was shot by Colm Sheppard. When asked what they liked about this photo, they said: “The colours!” What does Colm enjoy about Kodak UltraMax? “It seems to handle a variety of conditions well and give reliable results.”

#5 Jordan Lanyon

Our fifth place image was shot by Jordan Lanyon. When asked what they liked about this photo, they said: “This was my first time working as a photographer for a live event - I have a memory of being in the pouring rain, stood with photographers using thousands of pounds worth of equipment and I was there using my Minolta 7000 that was handed down to me.

It's the first photo where I've been so proud of myself because of not only the shot itself, but also working my way up in festivals and I suppose life in general, to have the opportunity to be given a pit pass to Nile Rogers!”

What does Jordan enjoy about Kodak UltraMax? “It's a great middle ground film that I've been able to learn with and get some great shots with my level of skill.”

Images 6-10

#6 Alex Kirchschlager

Our sixth place image was shot by Alex Kirchschlager. When asked what they liked about this photo, they said: “It’s a photo of my family on a ski lift. I like the contrast between the colours on the lift and the beautiful natural landscape in the background.”

What does Alex enjoy about Kodak UltraMax? “I enjoy the versatility, I almost always have it in my point and shoot on my for spontaneous photos which are captured accurately with the good colours and fine grain.The 400 iso allows me to get good photos in low lighting.”

#7 Finn Young

Our seventh place image was shot by Finn Young. When asked what they liked about this photo, they said: “This was taken during an autumn sunrise in Richmond Park. The lighting was very dramatic that morning. The big silhouetted oak tree serves as the subject, whilst also blocking the sun which allowed my camera to catch all the ambient light glowing in the plants around it. Overall I like the wild busyness of the photo - the sunlight and shadows create a lot of contrast whilst bringing out a lot of definition in the branches and foliage.”

What does Finn enjoy about Kodak UltraMax? “UltraMax does well with golden-hour light, which is fun to shoot in whenever it comes - delicate warmth and nice pastel hues! I also love the texture of 400 ISO grain, which is noticeable but not overbearing. Plus it's forgiving for me as a beginner!”

#8 Brian Gardiner

Our eighth place image was shot by Brian Gardiner. When asked what they liked about this photo, they said: “I love this shot taken in Hamnoy, Norway although the location is almost overdone with social media and advertising. The vibrant contrasts between the blue in the water and the red fishing huts are really elevated with this film.”

What does Brian enjoy about Kodak UltraMax? “The wide exposure latitude that tolerates over exposure well but also enables me to shoot in lower light situations without a flash.”

What does Brian enjoy about Kodak UltraMax? “The wide exposure latitude that tolerates over exposure well but also enables me to shoot in lower light situations without a flash.”

#9 Harry Caton

Our ninth place image was shot by Harry Caton. When asked what they liked about this photo, they said: “The symmetry - I managed to arrange the vertical curl of the cliff to align with the upside-down image in my glass sphere. The intent was almost a kind of yin-yang pattern, the blurry-but-real cowlick of Cornish coast curling into its far sharper reflection.Shot with an Olympus OM-10, 50mm, on Kodak UltraMax.”

What does Harry enjoy about Kodak UltraMax? “The depth of colour! I find it far easier to shoot greens and reds, particularly in the overcast conditions of the bleak midwinter, and with the need for definition in shooting larger outdoor tableaus.”

#10 Jake Unsted

Our tenth place image was shot by Jake Unsted. When asked what they liked about this photo, they said: “The bright orange colour on the vibrant green, with the rolling hills in the background - it's a very satisfying photo.” What does Jake enjoy about Kodak UltraMax? “It’s so durable through so many different environments and situations.

Images 11-15

#11 Adam Twitchett

Our 11th place image was shot by Adam Twitchett. When asked what they liked about this photo, they said: “I really like the shadows and the light in the photo. I also love how in the church there is a combination of real and painted ornamentation. The painted details make the church feel like a film set rather than a real place. I like how the golden statue reflects the sun and glows in the dark corner.”

What does Adam enjoy about Kodak UltraMax? “I love the colour and brightness which comes with using UltraMax. It gives everything a very nostalgic theme, especially with the grain. It is also a very forgiving film, even if the light conditions aren't perfect the image turns out great.”

#12 Joseph Roberts

Our 12th place image was shot by Joseph Roberts. When asked what they liked about this photo, they said: “It’s a really beautiful shot of a bee.” What does Joseph enjoy about Kodak UltraMax? “Its bright colours and how clear it looks.”

#13 Carl Hanson

Our 13th place image was shot by Carl Hanson. When asked what they liked about this photo, they said: “I love its versatility and nice colours. It’s perfect for travelling.” What does Stewart enjoy about Kodak UltraMax? “I love the way I got the subjects still in the shot while having the background look like it is in motion.”

#14 Héctor Rivero

Our 14th place image was shot by Héctor Rivero. When asked what they liked about this photo, they said: “The slight sensation of vertigo and the contrast between the sky and the highly decorated façade of the basilica.”

What does Héctor enjoy about Kodak UltraMax? “I like that it is a fairly versatile film for everyday use, with uniform and balanced colours and an ISO that allows you to get good results during the day and even indoors if you have steady hands. All this for a pretty reasonable price.”

#15 Andrew Thompson

Our 15th place image was shot by Andrew Thompson. When asked what they liked about this photo, they said: “We were just walking about some side streets of the town where we live, full of old work buildings from the cotton mill era. The bricks were all grey stone and discoloured from decades of smoke, when in a courtyard catching the high sun was this beautiful Jaguar E-Type, its glorious red bodywork glowing among the post industrial environs. It was crying out for a diptych from my Yashica Samurai X3.0.”

What does Andrew enjoy about Kodak UltraMax? “When you know you are going to get some wonderful sunny weather, nothing else in this category gives you such bold exciting colours. Reds and blues just pop. And with British summers, the higher speed gives more flexibility for any inclement weather.”

Images 16-20

#16 Adam Whitney

Our 16th place image was shot by Adam Whitney. When asked what they liked about this photo, they said: “This frame I originally thought would be a wasted shot as the perched oyster catchers I was going to photograph decided to take off. I decided to press the shutter anyway and came out with my favourite photo on the roll I shot.”

What does Adam enjoy about Kodak UltraMax? “Loved ultramax's colour and its grain giving the classic "film look". It also worked nicely in lower light conditions giving very pleasing results.”

#17 Héctor Rivero

Our 17th place image was shot by Héctor Rivero. When asked what they liked about this photo, they said: “I think the Kodak UltraMax 400 works better during daylight. Not under a direct sun, but when it is slightly cloudy. In those situations the colours stand out much more as it happens here.”

What does Héctor enjoy about Kodak UltraMax? “I like that it is a fairly versatile film for everyday use, with uniform and balanced colours and an ISO that allows you to get good results during the day and even indoors if you have steady hands. All this for a pretty reasonable price.”

#17 Héctor Rivero

Our 18th place image was shot by Héctor Rivero. When asked what they liked about this photo, they said: “'A quattro e bastoni' is a popular expression from the Bay of Naples that reflects the feeling of its citizens when they enjoy a relaxed and absolute break. I think I captured the essence of Naples and that specific phrase in this photo. 😪☀️”

What does Héctor enjoy about Kodak UltraMax? “I like that it is a fairly versatile film for everyday use, with uniform and balanced colours and an ISO that allows you to get good results during the day and even indoors if you have steady hands. All this for a pretty reasonable price.”

#19 Lloyd Hunt

Our 19th place image was shot by Lloyd Hunt. When asked what they liked about this photo, they said: “This was from the first roll of film I’ve shot in over 20 years. This photo showed me that I could use film on the streets and build from here.”

What does Lloyd enjoy about Kodak UltraMax? “It’s a relatively good value colour film. Add sunshine and it becomes great.”

#20 Ruihan Fu

Our 20th place image was shot by Ruihan Fu. When asked what they liked about this photo, they said: “I can smell the cold air, grass, dust, and flowers through the silver grains and colors.”

What's next?

And that’s a wrap on the Kodak Winter Competition 2025! The winners have been revealed and will soon be receiving their well-earned film prizes. We’ve absolutely loved seeing the creativity and versatility of Kodak UltraMax brought to life through your images and we hope it’s inspired you too. If you haven’t tried UltraMax yet, consider this your sign to add a roll to your next film shop. It’s a reliable, vibrant all-rounder that deserves a spot in every camera bag.

Missed out on entering this time? No worries! Our seasonal competitions run every Winter and Summer, so there’s always another chance to get involved. Join us and Andy again for the Kodak Summer 2025 Competition, where we’ll be showcasing another brilliant Kodak film and sharing some exciting deals.

Got a guess which emulsion we’ll spotlight next? Drop it in the comments below 👇