There’s something almost magical about seeing nature without color. Strip away the greens, blues, and golden sunsets, and suddenly the landscape starts speaking a different language, one built around light, shadow, texture, mood, and atmosphere. That’s the beauty of black and white photography.
The MonoVisions Awards 2026 celebrate photographers who know exactly how to make that language work. The Landscape category brings together powerful views of mountains, coastlines, forests, deserts, valleys, and quiet natural spaces, proving that a great photograph doesn’t need a rainbow of colors to make an impact.
These 40 landscape photographs show just how expressive monochrome photography can be. Some feel calm and meditative, while others are bold, dramatic, and almost cinematic. A misty mountain can suddenly feel mysterious. A rocky coastline can look raw and powerful. Even an ordinary field can become something unforgettable when the photographer gets the light just right.
MonoVisions aims to discover outstanding monochrome photographers worldwide and give both professionals and amateurs a chance to have their work recognized and rewarded. The competition accepts black and white photography created through traditional or digital methods, celebrating the medium in all its forms.
And honestly, these landscapes are a pretty convincing reminder that sometimes less color means more emotion.
You can find more info about Monovisions Awards:
#1. 1st Place Winner: Grumoscopie by Samuel Feron, France
"Faroe Islands 2025."
#2. 2nd Place Winner: Where light lingers by Claudia Barbera, Italy
"Val di Funes, South Tyrol, Italy."
#3. 3rd Place Winner: The tide of times by Robert Pilari, Germany
"Rock formations emerge from the sea, shaped by years of wind and water. The long exposure softens the movement of the ocean, creating a contrast between the solid structures and the passing flow of time. The image focuses on how constant change and stability exist side by side."
Honorable Mentions
#4. In the Shadow of a Parhelion by Michael Arzur, France
"The sun rises over the Écrins mountains one winter morning. A fog rolls in. As temperatures plummet below freezing, ice crystals fill the air, and as the sun’s rays pierce the mist and diffract, a parhelion appears. The ground is covered with a thin layer of icy snow; a few trees brave the elements, but only one catches my eye: a small Scots pine, perfectly silhouetted against the light. I take the time to align all the elements and capture this almost surreal scene."
#5. Grundlsee in the fog by Manfred Gruber, Austria
Austria / Styria / Grundlsee / Villa Roth
#6. The Gate by Richard O’Farrell, Australia
"A Japanese Torri Gate."
#7. Summit of Silence by Claudia Barbera, Italy
"Rising from a sea of clouds, this summit is one of the Tre Cime of Lavaredo in the Italian Dolomites, captured in a moment of quiet stillness. Light gently traces the rock face before fading, revealing the mountain as a silent and timeless presence."
#8. Tree Tunnel by Jim Guerard, United States
"A single lane dirt road lined with ancient live oak trees covered in Spanish Moss, winds its way towards an old plantation in the Southeastern United States."
#9. Curve of the Dunes by Remuna Beca, United States
"Graceful curves and flowing lines shape the desert dunes, sculpted by the relentless forces of wind and time. This image invites viewers to embrace the simplicity and beauty of nature’s design, echoing the quiet, timeless rhythm of the desert."
#10. What Lurks Beneath by Jim Guerard, United States
"A layer of fog hovers just above the surface on a small cypress swamp in the southeastern United States on a cold November morning. Knowing the amount of wildlife that live in these low-lying swamps, one can only wonder what lurks just beneath the surface."
#11. In the Land of Snow by Adam Bencal, Poland
"The church in Mala Upa in the Czech Krkonoše Mountains, a magical place straight out of a story about Count Dracula. Photo taken with a Toyo 45 CF camera."
#12. Lake Avrig by Adam Bencal, Poland
A magical view of Lake Avrig in the Făgăraș Mountains in Romania. Toyo 45CF camera."
#13. Stunning Tryfan with beautiful glow by Maik Herfurth, Germany
"One of the most breathtaking and unforgettable views in all of Wales: the majestic Tryfan Mountain, rising sharply from the landscape and offering a truly spectacular panorama. At sunrise, the entire scene transforms as a warm, golden glow spreads over the rugged peaks, illuminating every ridge and detail. This magical moment, when the first light touches the summit, creates an atmosphere that feels both epic and serene – a sight that stays with you long after you’ve left."
#14. Dawn over the hills by Alberto Pozzi, Italy
"The first light of day over the Tuscan hills"
#15. From shadow to light by Hans Peter Rank, Germany
"A winter impression from the Black Forest in Southern Germany."
#16. Howling by Robert Bolton, United Kingdom
"This is Howling Dog Rock on Banded Beach, Oregon, USA. It seems to me that it is very well named. I thought that I had heard it on this quiet morning in October 2025. A special sea stack on a special morning in a special place. Felt like a lost world."
#17. Weathered by Peter Hergesheimer, United States
"A lone iceberg floating in Wilhelmina Bay, Antarctica."
#18. Restless Spirits by Maureen Ravnik, United States
"The power and spirituality in Arches National Park cannot be understated. Being there in a storm intensifies it exponentially. The title reflects that."
#19. The dawn of a new year by Marco Campinoti, Italy
"Light breaks through the clouds and gently touches the landscape, revealing layers of hills emerging from darkness.
This image reflects a moment of quiet transition — where the past fades and a new beginning slowly takes shape."
#20. Earthen Folds by Joseph Howard, United States
"Selectively focused tilt-shift image isolates form and texture of weathered earth into appearance of scrunched and folded fabric. Captured beneath moving clouds at Moonscape Overlook just outside Capital Reef National Park, Utah."
#21. Between by Steffen Reichardt, Germany
"A small island rises from still water, holding fragile trees against the vast mountain landscape. Reflection and reality dissolve, revealing a quiet balance between permanence and transience."
#22. The Yielding by Sue Park, United States
"The trees, shaped by decades of wind, stand at the edge of land and sea. Beyond them, the sea watches silently, protecting them with quiet patience. The scene felt vast, quiet, and indifferent in the most beautiful way."
#23. Silvaplana last light by Marcello Colombo, Italy
"At the end of a long hard day, when all seems going to bed, the last light rising asked to stay. Superpan 200. Hasselblad Sonnar 250 + wratten 29."
#24. SilverChrome – Fujiyama by Tomoaki Katsuba, Japan
"Tomoaki is a multiple award-winning Japanese photographic artist based in Hong Kong. Specialising in landscape, cityscape, street, and wildlife, his works have earned over 100 international awards and titles – including "Photographer of the Year" in Nature and Architecture – and have been featured in major global publications."
#25. Lonesome tree by Thierry Lagnel, Switzerland
"This tree is alone on the top of a small hill in the swiss countryside. This type of landscape (small hills) was made by the retreat of glaciers when Switzerland was covered by ice."
#26. Silence by Min Li, Canada
"The silent land bears the marks of time."
#27. Where the Sky Breaks by Andreia Costa, Portugal
"A monumental storm rises above the plains, reshaping the horizon. The image captures the raw tension between land and sky . A reminder of nature’s overwhelming scale and uncontrollable force."
#28. Mist-shrouded Yosemite Valley by Wei Lian, United States
"At a winter dusk, Yosemite Valley was filled with drifting clouds and mist, as if it were a fairyland."
#29. Untouchable by Thomas de Franzoni, Italy
"From this spectacular place, the human presence makes us understand the majesty of the mountains. I was waiting for someone to go to the viewpoint to shoot, and after a long wait a guy, seeing me with the tripod and the camera ready, looked at me and we nodded in agreement."
#30. Strong winds sweep across the black sand beach at Iceland Vestrahorn by Wei Lian, United States
"Fierce winds race across the black sand beach, lifting clouds of dark grains into the air. The sand dances and shifts, carving long, flowing textures across the surface. Each gust reshapes the land, revealing wild, rhythmic patterns etched by wind, motion, and raw natural force."
#31. Sharp Edges by Jennifer Esseiva, Switzerland
"These sharp rocks rise from Coumeenoole Beach on the Dingle Peninsula. Although I had seen them in photographs before, I never knew their exact location until a road trip revealed they were right there, waiting. I used a long exposure to smooth the motion of the sea, creating a strong contrast between the fluid water and the rigid, razor-sharp rocks."
#32. Pont de Saint-Nazaire by Rolandas Urbonavicius, Germany
"The Saint-Nazaire Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge spanning the river Loire and linking Saint-Nazaire on the north bank and Saint-Brevin-les-Pins on the south bank, in France. The cable-stayed metallic structure measures 720 m and, including the access viaducts, represents a total length of 3 356 m."
#33. Moorland Gnarrenburg Stelling by T. Karl Stelling, Germany
"Moorland landscape in Gnarrenburg, Northern Germany"
#34. Six by Paweł Uchorczak, Poland
"The massive volcanic slope dominates the frame. The deep, dark erosion gullies look like wrinkles on an ancient face or frozen folds of a gigantic fabric. The blacks and grays of the rock are harsh and heavily textured. The small, bright patch near the upper left (likely a remnant of a glacier or snow patch) acts as a visual anchor."
#35. The Drinking Dino: Flamborough by Simon Vaughan, United Kingdom
"This image was captured on a stunning morning and isolating the outline of the rock formation which is locally known as ‘The Drinking Dinosaur’ was my objective coupled with a fine art approach to post processing. I love, being immersed in nature to capture that moment, being present to absorb the beauty of landscape and then sharing that point in time with anyone who cares to appreciate the resulting photograph."
#36. Baltic Atmosphere by Konrad Uznański, Poland
"An old breakwater on the Baltic Sea coast. The minimalist form, long exposure, and beautiful, soft light make the photo exude peace and harmony."
#37. Dead tree by Jean-michel Vergès, France
"It is only a dead tree in the middle of its natural environment. I have photographed several of them. These trees are pines, most of which are dead and their wood has a silvery sheen. I looked for the back lights, as the lights could best express this bonsai state. My choice fell on this one. Working on the photo allowed me to obtain this unreal image. Dreamlike, magical, bewitched sets… Everyone will let their imagination interpret."
#38. Whispers of the Storm by Thibault Gerbaldi, United States
"On Iceland’s black volcanic coast, a bright line of surf cuts across the dark sand beneath a low sky. In the distance, a mountain massif emerges through sea mist, revealing the stark interplay of weather, erosion, and volcanic landforms along the island’s southern shoreline."
#39. Leaning Tree by Richard O’Farrell, Australia
"Shot of a leaning tree in flooded Lake Eyre in winter. I was so alone wading in the water and waiting for the water to become still again. It was in the middle of winter which made it not so hot. Again, not a sole in the whole area which added to the quiet moment. It was a photo of a tree like this I have been wanting to see for many years which is why it is special for me."
#40. Sailing in the moonlight by Richard O’Farrell, Australia
"Another very early morning, this time in the dark at my favorite beach, the first shot (I have submitted a second photograph later in the same morning) of a very rare scene prior to dawn light with a beautiful old ship sailing in the moonlight. One of my most recent favorite photographs."
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are the MonoVisions Black and White Photography Awards?
The MonoVisions Black and White Photography Awards are an international competition celebrating monochrome photography. The awards welcome photographers of different backgrounds and experience levels, including both professionals and amateurs, using traditional or digital photographic methods.
What is featured in the Landscape category?
The Landscape category showcases black and white photographs depicting natural environments and expansive outdoor scenes. Featured images can highlight mountains, forests, coastlines, deserts, valleys, atmospheric conditions, textures, and other compelling elements of the natural world.
Who can enter the MonoVisions Photography Awards?
The competition is open to photographers of all backgrounds and experience levels. Both professional and amateur photographers can participate, allowing a broad range of creative voices to share their interpretations of black-and-white photography.
Does MonoVisions accept digitally created black and white photographs?
Yes. MonoVisions accepts black and white photography created using both traditional and digital methods. This allows photographers working with different techniques and creative processes to submit their monochrome work for consideration.
What prizes are available in the MonoVisions competition?
MonoVisions offers $5,000 in cash prizes across two competition categories: Black and White Photo of the Year and Black and White Series of the Year. The awards also provide photographers with opportunities for recognition and exposure.
