The 2025 Black and White Photo Awards have announced their winners, celebrating the timeless artistry and emotional power of monochrome photography. The international competition, now in its fourth year, drew submissions from photographers across more than 90 countries, showcasing works that span social commentary, breathtaking landscapes, and innovative portraiture.
Since its launch in 2022, the Black and White Photo Awards has rapidly established itself as one of the world's leading competitions dedicated exclusively to monochrome photography. This year's entries demonstrated how black and white imagery continues to transcend cultural and geographic boundaries, using light, shadow, and form to tell compelling stories that resonate universally.
Portuguese photographer João Coelho claimed the prestigious Absolute Winner title for his striking photograph "The Kingdom of Flies." The haunting image captures a man surrounded by swarms of flies as he searches through food scraps, creating a scene that is both disturbing and deeply moving. The photograph presents what appears to be a post-apocalyptic vision, yet reveals the harsh reality of survival for those who must live off what others throw away.
Coelho's winning image was praised by judges for its unflinching social commentary and raw portrayal of human dignity under extreme circumstances. His victory earned him a cash prize of $1,000 and a Thypoch Simera 35mm lens, tools that will help him continue creating images with powerful social impact, according to the competition organizers.
For the first time in the competition's history, organizers introduced a Runner-up Award, which went to Mark Seawell for his photograph "Where the Shadows Lie." Captured in the dramatic canyons of Arizona, the image showcases the intricate dance between light and shadow across ancient stone formations. The sophisticated composition and masterful rendering of texture and fleeting illumination set it apart from other entries, making Seawell the first photographer to receive this newly created honor. His prizes include a Benro Tortoise TTOR24CGX30 carbon tripod kit and a Tenba Axis V2 20L backpack, provided by Foto Técnica Import.
Two special awards recognized photographers who pushed creative boundaries in unique ways. The Special Award for Creativity, sponsored by SanDisk, was presented to Adebayo Rotilu for his futuristic portrait "Electric Silhouette." This groundbreaking image used laser beams as the only light source before being converted to black and white, resulting in a composition that challenges traditional portraiture methods and creates a distinctly modern aesthetic.
The inaugural Special Award Master of Light, sponsored by Godox, went to Roberto Corinaldesi for his powerful portrait "No Words." The photograph features a woman in India, isolated against a pure black background with every detail carefully shaped by controlled lighting. By removing all contextual elements, Corinaldesi transformed his subject's quiet intensity into a profound emotional statement. He received a Godox AD600 Pro II flash for his achievement.
The competition also recognized outstanding work across five distinct categories, each demonstrating how the absence of color can enhance focus on form, narrative, and emotion. In the Architecture category, Remuna Beca won with "Brilliant Design," a creative image of a Prague staircase that spirals upward to form the shape of a lightbulb. The photograph brilliantly merges structure with concept, transforming functional architecture into an artistic metaphor for illumination and inspiration.
Willem Kruger captured the Fauna and Flora category with "Leopard Jump Mono," photographed at South Africa's renowned Londolozi reserve. The image freezes a dramatic moment when a male leopard leaps away after mating, capturing both the grace and raw power of one of nature's most magnificent predators. The monochrome treatment emphasizes the tension and beauty inherent in this fleeting wildlife encounter.
The Landscape category winner, Robert Bolton, earned recognition for "The Wedded Rocks," his evocative interpretation of Meoto Iwa in Japan. These two sacred rocks, bound together by rope, symbolize the spiritual union of heaven and earth in Japanese culture. Bolton's composition uses the minimal palette of black and white to emphasize the cultural and spiritual significance of this iconic scene.
Nur Tucker won the Portrait category with "Proud Artisan," offering viewers a contemplative glimpse into Anatolia's ancient terracotta pottery tradition. The image captures a skilled craftsman at work in his dimly lit workshop, where centuries-old heritage, traditional craft techniques, and the natural textures of clay combine to tell a visual story of dedication and cultural continuity.
The Street category went to Yanitsa Genova for "Trapped in a Frame," a sharp commentary on urban geometry and human existence. Her photograph positions a human subject within the rigid grid of architectural lines, creating a powerful statement about the ongoing tension between individual identity and the structured environments that often confine us.
The distinguished international jury consisted of renowned photographers and educators Joel Tjintjelaar, Julia Anna Gospodarou, Charles Paul Azzopardi, Kazutoshi Kawakami, and Spanish photographer Néstor Rodan. They praised both the technical excellence and creative vision demonstrated in this year's submissions, noting that the winning images went far beyond mere technical mastery to offer meaningful insights into cultural traditions, human struggles, and innovative visual approaches.
Juror Joel Tjintjelaar, celebrated for his architectural fine art photography, emphasized how black and white photography remains uniquely capable of isolating form and light in ways that color cannot achieve. Fellow juror Julia Anna Gospodarou highlighted the remarkable creativity shown in pushing the boundaries of abstraction and minimalism. Other panel members noted the successful balance between deeply personal stories and universal human themes, underlining the competition's important role in amplifying diverse voices and perspectives from around the world.
Looking toward the future, the Black and White Photo Awards continues to build momentum as a premier global platform for monochrome artists. Competition organizers have confirmed that the 2026 edition will open for submissions on January 1, 2026, welcoming both established professionals and emerging talents to participate. Next year's competition plans to expand its reach even further, with new categories under consideration and enhanced prize offerings designed to better support photographers in developing their creative practice.
The organizers reaffirmed their commitment to celebrating the enduring power of black and white photography, not merely as an artistic choice but as a medium uniquely suited to conveying mood, atmosphere, and fundamental truths about the human experience. As they continue to grow in scope and international visibility, the awards serve both as a showcase of exceptional artistic achievement and a reminder that in photography, the interplay of light and shadow remains among the most powerful and enduring tools of human expression.
