Black and white photography has a funny way of slowing you down. Without bright colors competing for attention, your eyes naturally drift toward what matters most: the expression on a face, the texture of an old wall, the way sunlight slices through a quiet street. That’s exactly what makes AAP Magazine #58: B&W such a captivating collection. Instead of relying on color, these photographers tell stories with contrast, mood, and pure emotion.
The 25 winning photographers featured in this edition come from 12 countries across three continents, proving that great visual storytelling speaks a universal language. Every image feels different. Some capture raw human emotions, others freeze breathtaking landscapes, while a few challenge your imagination with abstract compositions that make you stop and look twice. Together, they remind us that monochrome photography isn’t about what’s missing; it’s about what suddenly becomes impossible to ignore.
There’s something timeless about black and white photography. It strips away distractions and leaves behind honesty, drama, and atmosphere. A simple portrait can feel deeply personal, while an everyday street scene transforms into a cinematic moment packed with mystery. That’s the magic these award-winning photographers bring to life.
This year’s winners don’t just showcase technical excellence; they reveal how light, shadow, texture, and composition can turn ordinary moments into unforgettable works of art. Get ready to explore 25 remarkable black-and-white photographs that celebrate creativity, emotion, and the enduring beauty of monochrome storytelling.
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#1. 1st Place Winner: Francis in his father’s Mercedes wagon by Anastasia Pagonas, United States
"Francis in his father’s Mercedes wagon. Didi doesn’t like that Phili smokes in it, but it’s good to maintain autonomy in a marriage. Not too much, not too little; a cigarette’s length. Francis is done with our adventure, reading his book and ready to go home. California, 2025."
#2. 2nd Place Winner: Life-Lines Throughout the United States by Eric Kunsman, USA
"This work is a companion series to my project, Felicific Calculus: Technology as a Social Marker of Race, Class, & Economics in Rochester, NY. It demonstrates how communities across the United States are facing similar challenges. Many individuals across the country are being left behind by technology, whether in terms of communication or internet access. In our society, having access to these tools is essential for accessing support services and securing employment."
#3. 3rd Place Winner: Of Birds and Being by Tzion Essel, United Kingdom
"This series brings birds and human beings into a visual dialogue, drawing them into moments of comparison, contrast, and unexpected kinship. Through gestures, postures, glances, and acts of movement, the photographs trace subtle correspondences between species, revealing fleeting moments where the boundary between species begins to dissolve."
Merit Award Gallery Winners
#4. Quiet Encounters by Dev Kumar, Malaysia
#5. Still Point by Jaeseok Lim, South Korea
#6. Cross/Walk by Michael Trueblood, United States
#7. Drylands by Isabelle Kettner, Netherlands
#8. Libertad by Antonio Denti, Italy
#9. Woven by Kathryn Audet, Canada
#10. About brothers by Lera Zilbershtein, Russia
#11. Between Earth and Sky by Tommy Jiang, China
#12. Before the Cyclone by Thibault Gerbaldi, France/United States
#13. Keep Me Where The Light Is by Paul Adams, United States
#14. The Fragility of Fatherhood by Troy Colby, United States
#15. Light over pillows by Paul Gibert, United States/Spain
#16. Kindergarten Princesses by Lena Sokolova, Russia
#17. The Backlit City by Eric Renard, United States
#18. Views Along Pineview by Kelly O’Leary, United States
#19. What We Leave by Rikk Dunlap, United States
#20. The Aftermath of Faith by John Gubertini, Italy
#21. Hello Tibet by Max Chu, China
#22. Place and Persistence by Brice Weaver, United States
#23. Shadow and Light by Brice Weaver, United States
#24. Vulnerability by Ylva Sjögren, Sweden
#25. Lost and Found by Richard Evnen, United States
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is AAP Magazine #58: B&W?
AAP Magazine #58: B&W is a special edition by All About Photo celebrating black and white photography. It features 25 award-winning photographers from 12 countries whose images showcase creativity, emotion, technical excellence, and powerful visual storytelling through monochrome imagery.
Why is black and white photography still popular today?
Black and white photography remains popular because it emphasizes emotion, light, shadow, texture, and composition instead of color. This timeless style removes distractions, allowing viewers to focus on the story, atmosphere, and artistic expression captured within each photograph.
How were the winning photographers selected?
The photographers were chosen based on originality, artistic vision, technical quality, and emotional impact. Their work spans portraits, landscapes, documentary photography, street photography, and abstract imagery, demonstrating the remarkable versatility of monochrome photography across different genres and cultures.
What makes monochrome photography different from color photography?
Monochrome photography relies on tonal contrast, lighting, shapes, and textures rather than color. It encourages viewers to notice subtle details and emotions that might otherwise be overlooked, creating images that often feel more dramatic, timeless, and emotionally engaging.
What can photographers learn from the AAP Magazine 2026 winners?
The winning images show that compelling photography isn’t about expensive gear but about vision, timing, composition, and storytelling. They inspire photographers to experiment with light, shadow, perspective, and emotion, proving that simple scenes can become extraordinary through thoughtful artistic execution.
