The 2025 Monovisions Black & White Photography Awards has once again spotlighted the very best in monochrome photography. With entries submitted by talented photographers from across the globe, this year’s winners in 12 categories showcase a compelling range of emotion, storytelling, and artistic excellence. From powerful portraits and moody landscapes to documentary images that stir the soul, these 30 remarkable winning photos represent the pinnacle of black and white photography in the modern era.
Photo by: Paul Reid
The annual competition aims to discover and celebrate the best monochrome photographers worldwide, offering a prestigious platform to gain global recognition and exposure. This year, two top honors—Black and White Photo of the Year and Black and White Series of the Year—came with a combined cash prize of $5000. However, beyond the awards, it’s the visual impact and emotional depth of the images that leave a lasting impression. Whether captured on bustling city streets or in the stillness of nature, the winning images elevate the timeless power of black and white photography.
From hauntingly beautiful portraits to intricate architectural studies and vivid photojournalistic scenes, each selected photo displays a mastery of light, contrast, and composition. The winners in 12 categories serve not only as a testament to technical skill but also to the personal vision behind the lens. These works remind us that color is not a necessity to convey truth, beauty, or emotion. Instead, black and white imagery continues to thrive as a powerful form of expression, proving once again why the Monovisions Black & White Photography Awards remain one of the most respected competitions in the field.
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#1. Architecture: 1st Place – "The Tokyo" by Shuchuan Liu
#2. Architecture: 2nd Place – "Flying high" by Jana Hoffmann
#3. Architecture: 3rd Place – "Ascend" by Robert Fülöp
#4. Conceptual: 1st Place – "Confrontation" by Ali Zolghadri
#5. Conceptual: 2nd Place – "Renaissance" by Aubane Nesty
#6. Conceptual: 3rd Place – "Beneath" by Rohit Rattan
#7. Fine Art: 1st Place – "The Gathering" by Thomas de Franzoni
#8. Fine Art: 2nd Place – "Cat look" by Ali Zolghadri
#9. Fine Art: 3rd Place – "Delicate" by Hilda Champion
#10. Landscape: 1st Place – "The Looming Thunder" by Chao Feng
#11. Landscape: 2nd Place – "Cross Line Triangle" by Virgil Reglioni
#12. Landscape: 3rd Place – "Double vent" by Dario Lo Scavo
#13. Nature and Wildlife: 1st Place – "Acacia Tree with Giraffe" by Xuejun Long
#14. Nature and Wildlife: 2nd Place – "Wildebeest" by Rajiv Bhambri
#15. Nature and Wildlife: 3rd Place – "Power of Three" by Miles Hewitt-Boorman
#16. People: 1st Place – "Le Chant de l’Aigle" by Apostolos Kaloudis
#17. People: 2nd Place – "Street Children" by Michael Wasserman
#18. People: 3rd Place – "The Heart of the Home" by Partha Roy
#19. Photojournalism: 1st Place – "Memories Amidst the Ashes" by Shinji Isobe
#20. Photojournalism: 2nd Place – "Crazy Festival" by Zhizhou Jiang
#21. Photojournalism: 3rd Place – "Bridging the Divide" by AJ Almy
#22. Portrait: 1st Place – "A espera" by Sandra Ventura
#23. Portrait: 2nd Place – "The Bairn and the Barn" by Paul Reid
#24. Portrait: 3rd Place – "Promise fulfilled" by Lennard Grohn
#25. Street: 1st Place – "From Salute to Cheers" by Chris Mozyro
#26. Street: 2nd Place – "Nice Weather….For Ducks" by Petter Rustad
#27. Street: 3rd Place – "Last exit to Bronx" by Deryk Baumgärtner
#28. Travel: 1st Place – “Riders of the Volcano” by Mahendra Bakle
#29. Travel: 2nd Place – "Mundari cattle camp" by Svetlin Yosifov
#30. Travel: 3rd Place – "Rays of Tranquility" by Partha Roy
