Cedric Lutterkordt has been declared the winner of the Wuppertal Photo Prize with his innovative photograph of the city's famous suspension railway. His winning entry featured a unique approach - capturing the Schwebebahn through the viewfinder of an old camera, creating a photo within a photo concept that impressed the judges.

"I easily took a few hundred pictures, including various motifs and some subjects that were visible today, but ultimately I decided on the motif where my gut feeling told me, 'This is what you can win with,'" Lutterkordt explained about his winning strategy.

This year's Wuppertal Photo Prize theme was "Our Suspension Railway," and the competition attracted both amateur and professional photographers. The 12 best photographs from the contest will be featured in next year's calendar, which holds special significance as 2026 marks the suspension railway's 125th anniversary year. The award ceremony took place in the evening at the Visiodrom in the Gaskessel building in Heckinghausen, with Radio Wuppertal serving as the event's media partner.

Silke Jungmann from the printing company Schmidt, Ley und Wiegandt, who served as a jury member, expressed her enthusiasm about the diverse range of photographs submitted. "What we noticed again today is that it's becoming increasingly professional," she observed. "The photographers hardly take snapshots anymore; instead, they prepare thoroughly, taking 250 to 500 attempts until a photo becomes award-worthy. It's sensational."

The competition showcased the growing sophistication of photography in the region, with participants demonstrating remarkable dedication to their craft. The winning photographs will not only be featured in the commemorative calendar but also serve as a tribute to one of Wuppertal's most iconic landmarks during its milestone anniversary year.

Looking ahead, next year's Wuppertal Photo Prize will focus on "Architecture in Wuppertal," continuing the tradition of celebrating the city's distinctive features through the lens of local photography talent. The competition remains open to both hobby and professional photographers who wish to showcase their skills and perspective on the city's architectural heritage.