A Valencian Photographer Just Won Gold at the World Photographic Cup 2026

Valencian photographer Álvaro Ruiz has won the gold medal at the World Photographic Cup 2026 in the Illustration / Digital Art category. "It's the world championship — there's nothing higher than this," he told Las Provincias.

The top prize went to a black-and-white image depicting a man riding on the back of a chicken. The jury praised both the conceptual and technical qualities of the photograph, which combines elements of surrealism with a meticulously composed frame.

For Ruiz, this is a long-awaited victory. He had previously taken part in the World Photographic Cup in 2022, winning bronze. He has been involved in photography since childhood: from the age of six, he was helping his parents at weddings and communion shoots. By 17, Álvaro was developing film and taking photographs himself, "whenever my father couldn't go" to a particular event.

Since 2013, he has been entering competitions regularly and has collected more than 20 awards — both national and international, including European prizes and American honours. He has won three or four national awards. "I do what I love, but without obsession. For me, it's a hobby," Ruiz adds.

You can see the photographer's work on his social media.