All About Photo (AAP) has announced the winners of its prestigious Black and White Photography contest, recognizing 25 talented international photographers whose work demonstrates the remarkable expressive power and lasting significance of monochrome imagery. The competition drew submissions from artists across 11 countries spanning three continents, showcasing the global appeal and versatility of black and white photography in the digital era.
The winning collection encompasses a diverse range of photographic styles and subjects, from intimate street scenes and conceptual portraits to comprehensive documentary projects and innovative experimental techniques. According to AAP, the selected works highlight black and white photography's unique ability to convey deep emotion, compelling narratives, and abstract concepts without the potential distraction of color. Each photographer brings their personal perspective to life through the monochrome lens, whether capturing intimate portraits, stark landscapes, or spontaneous street moments.
First place was awarded to Astrid Verhoef from the Netherlands for her captivating image titled "Balance." This striking photograph, shot on location in Fuerteventura, Spain, presents a powerful exploration of human connection set against a vast, elemental landscape. The image captures two figures suspended between movement and stillness, serving as a bridge between the natural and artificial worlds in Verhoef's ongoing examination of modern humanity's relationship with nature.
Verhoef explained her creative process, stating, "I am used to working solo to experience my personal connection to the landscape in the most profound way without any distractions. Even though I treasure that connection and it works very well for me this way, at rare occasions I do want to work with an extra model. This particular posture is the result of movement, dancing together." She continued, "It did change the experience: a dance of balance showing a connection with each other as well as with the landscape. We are one and opposites at the same time. Contrast and connection, trust and dependence. Feeling a force of nature within and around ourselves, strength and balance in the volcanic landscape where barren meets beauty." Verhoef emphasized that all her work is lens-based and contains no AI-generated components, with photography taking place entirely on location in natural landscapes.
Second place went to Antonio Denti from Italy for his compelling series "Harder Lives," which forms part of a broader visual essay examining economic transformation and community resilience on the edge of the Sahara Desert. His photographs offer a thoughtful and powerful reflection on tradition, labor, and the evolving impacts of global tourism on local communities. The series focuses on souvenir makers working near Zagora, Morocco, in 2025.
Denti described his project, explaining, "Souvenir makers at work on the edge of the Sahara Desert, as in the small town nearby their families live on. Harder Lives is part of a wider project called Everything and Nothing that tries to capture the moving essence of the little lives – our little lives – in the backdrop of the global economy and of a massive new industrial revolution in very different settings. In this case a small village in Morocco that used to live off very little (dates, palms, small herding, minor caravans) and now shifted to global tourism as all kinds of people travel there from all places in the world to see the magic marvels of the Sahara."
Third place was earned by Lynne Breitfeller from the United States for her portrait series "People I Know," featuring the specific image "Stacy and Miss Kitty." This intimate collection, created in the 1990s, revisits the faces and fleeting connections of early adulthood through compelling black and white compositions that invite viewers into a personal archive of memory and familiarity.
Breitfeller reflected on her work, sharing, "This image, Stacy and Miss Kitty, is from People I Know, a collection of portraits, created in the early to mid-nineties of friends, family, and acquaintances. Some are candid, and others are performative. These photos bring me back to earlier times and help me visualize my early adult years and how people come in and out of our lives, and how some stay. Each holds a place in the catalog of my memory."
The Merit Gallery features outstanding submissions from photographers across Europe, the Americas, and beyond, each offering unique perspectives through the monochrome lens. The diverse collection includes snowstorms in New York by Russ Rowland, sacred rituals in Ethiopia by Lorenz Berna, and abandoned jetties on the Baltic coast by Ralf Dreier. These featured works explore universal themes including solitude, resilience, spirituality, and identity across various styles and genres.
Among the Merit Gallery selections are notable works such as Ylva Sjögren's "I see only what I want to see" from Sweden, Beamie Young's "Mobius" from the United States, Elena Donskaya's "Young Woman" from Russia (inspired by Renaissance painter Petrus Christus), and Monika Maroziene's "Masquerade" from Lithuania. Additional recognized artists include Margaret Halaby with "The Looming Dark," Luciano Gerini from Italy, Klaus Lenzen from Germany with "steam IV," Kevin Lyle's "City Life 20472," Julia Dean's "Shabbat," John Carey's "JAMES MARTIN, CHEWTON GLEN," Giuseppe Cardoni's circus series, and many others representing diverse photographic approaches and cultural perspectives.
As recognition for their exceptional work, all winning photographers will be featured in the print edition of AAP Magazine and showcased on All About Photo's digital platforms, providing exposure to a broad international audience of photography professionals and enthusiasts. Now in its 49th edition, AAP Magazine continues to serve as an important platform for both emerging and established photographers worldwide.
With black and white photography as its focus for this edition, the magazine reaffirms the enduring appeal of simplicity and contrast in visual storytelling – a photographic tradition that continues to evolve with each new voice and creative vision. The complete list of winners and their work is available for viewing on the All About Photo website, offering photography enthusiasts the opportunity to explore the full range of this celebrated collection.
