All About Photo Magazine has announced the winners of its latest photography competition focused on the theme "Colors," showcasing 25 exceptional photographers who demonstrate how color can transform visual storytelling. The winning images reveal color's remarkable versatility, from vibrant and bold statements to subtle and minimalist approaches that create powerful emotional connections.
The overall winner exemplifies how even subdued color palettes can create profound impact. Irish photographer Trevor Cole's winning photograph, "Pastoral Peoples and Practices," stands out precisely because of its restrained use of color, which enhances rather than overshadows the story being told. The image captures the daily lives of pastoralist communities in the Ilemi triangle region, encompassing the Omo valley of Ethiopia, Central and Eastern Equatoria, and Northern Kenya.
Cole explains the fascinating cultural practices depicted in his winning photograph: "The peoples of the Ilemi triangle are all pastoralists. The Mundari gather the fresh dung each morning, dry it and use it to fuel their fires. The ash from the fires is then used to massage their Ankole Watusi cows to mitigate against bites from tsetse flies and mosquitoes." He continues, "They also veneer themselves with ash for the same reasons, hence they appear ghostly as they herd their cattle and fade into the nebulous haze of smoke generated by the fires."
In stark contrast to the winner's subtle approach, second-place winner Laurin Strele from Austria employs color in a dramatically different way. Their photograph "The Yellow Man of Aleppo," part of the series "Colors of Resilience," uses vibrant yellow as a powerful visual element that immediately captures the viewer's attention and conveys emotional depth through bold color choices.
The third-place photograph, "Faith Amid Genocide" by Palestinian photographer Abdelrahman Alkahlout, also from the "Colors of Resilience" series, presents a striking scene of a large group of people praying. Many wear colorful shirts that create a vivid contrast against the backdrop of a destroyed building's wreckage, demonstrating how color can convey hope and resilience in the face of devastation.
All About Photo Magazine's philosophy on color is reflected in their statement: "Color is everywhere – in fleeting light, in urban chaos, in the quiet balance of nature. It can soothe or provoke, draw us in or push us away. Beyond its visual appeal, color carries emotion, memory, and meaning, shaping how we experience life itself." Each of the top three winners receives $1,000 in cash prizes for their outstanding work.
Alongside the three main winners, 22 additional photographers received Merit Awards for their exceptional submissions. These honored works include "One Eyed Cat" by Benjamin Littler, "Nuit Indienne" by Xavier Blondeau, "Telephone, Iowa" by Fabien Dendiével, and "Somewhere In Between – A Portrait Series of Ladé" by Mayowa Akande. Other notable Merit Award winners include Eric Davidove's "69," Vitaly Golovatyuk's "Lights On," Erhan Coral's "Shades of Style," and Thaddäus Biberauer's "Bizarre Branches."
The complete list of Merit Award recipients also features "Colors of Life" by Neşe Ari, "A Ganges Tales" by Thibault Gerbaldi, "Brocade" by Oana Daian, "Alba y Zazzu" by Jesús Umbría Brito, "Color of Death" by Olivier Jarry-Lacombe, "Chore" by Jan Janssen, "Lily" by Oksana Omelchuk, and "Crater" by Yuan Su. Additional recognized works include "Lingering Shadows" by Nazanin Alipour Jeddi, "Anger" by Alejandra Nowiczewski, "Hands of Belonging" by Marijn Fidder, "The Girl in the Painting" by Anna Matysiak, "The Witch's Gaze" by Simone Curzi, and "Beholders No. 1" by Li Sun.
All 25 award-winning photographs will be featured in the upcoming 51st issue of AAP Magazine, providing readers with a comprehensive showcase of how contemporary photographers are using color to create compelling visual narratives. The competition results highlight the diverse ways in which photographers from around the world interpret and utilize color as both an artistic tool and a means of emotional expression, whether through dramatic contrasts, subtle harmonies, or bold statements that challenge viewers' perceptions.
