In a year flooded with noise, minimalism cut through like a clean breath of air. The biggest photography competitions best of 2025 proved one thing loud and clear: when you strip the frame down to its core, emotion hits harder. From wide-open landscapes with a single subject to razor-sharp street moments framed by negative space, minimalist photography owned the global awards scene this year.
Photographers from every corner of the world stepped into 2025 competitions with a bold mindset—say more by showing less. No flashy chaos, no visual overload. Just light, shadow, geometry, and timing doing the heavy lifting. These award-winning images feel calm at first glance, but the longer you look, the deeper they pull you in. That’s the magic of minimalism—it whispers, and somehow you still hear it loud.
Across international contests, minimalist entries dominated categories like landscape, architecture, street, fine art, and black-and-white photography. Judges leaned into images that trusted silence, celebrated empty space, and let a single subject breathe. A lone figure crossing a vast urban wall. A solitary tree under an endless sky. One shadow perfectly placed. These weren’t accidents—they were masterclasses in restraint.
This curated collection brings together 30 minimalist photos that didn’t just win awards—they shifted how we see. Each frame proves that powerful storytelling doesn’t need clutter. It needs clarity, patience, and vision. In 2025, minimalism wasn’t a trend—it was a statement. And these photographers nailed it.
If there’s one takeaway from this year’s winners, it’s this: when everything unnecessary is removed, what remains hits straight to the soul.
#1. Fine Art Photography Awards – 1st Place Winner: “Through the window” by Sergio Redolfi
“The photo in portrait category shows a child looking through his home’s window in a cold winter day. I really like the look I managed to capture…. and the atmosphere of the photo.”
#2. Monovisions Black & White Photography Awards – Nature and Wildlife: 1st Place – “Acacia Tree with Giraffe” by Xuejun Long
#3. Monovisions Black & White Photography Awards – Conceptual: 1st Place – “Confrontation” by Ali Zolghadri
#4. Monovisions Black & White Photography Awards – Fine Art: 1st Place – “The Gathering” by Thomas de Franzoni
#5. Monovisions Black & White Photography Awards – Fine Art: 2nd Place – “Cat look” by Ali Zolghadri
Simplify the Scene Ruthlessly
Minimalism starts with knowing what not to include.
- Remove distractions before you press the shutter
- Focus on one clear subject—only one
- Change your angle to eliminate clutter
- Use walls, sky, water, or fog as clean backgrounds
- Ask yourself: does this element add value or noise?
#6. Artist Gallery Awards – 1st Place Winner: “Feet” by Luca Menotti, Italy
“It’s a nice day for sunbathing!”
#7. Artist Gallery Awards – 2nd Place Winner: “Infinity Steps” by Rick Bogacz, Canada
“A long exposure of the pier at Bronte Harbour in the city of Oakville, Ontario.”
#8. Artist Gallery Awards – 3rd Place Winner: “In the Library” by Alireza Pourkhan, United Arab Emirates
“The direction of the people by the government to study , education and research is the main factor of progress and development of a country or a society . I believe the right of education should be existing for all people from different genders , races , ages and geographical places.”
#9. Monochrome Awards: “After winter sleep” by Tom Pavlasek, Czech Republic
#10. Minimalist Photography Awards – Aerial, 1st Place Winner: “Laços” by Nicolas Ferri
Let Negative Space Do the Talking
Empty space isn’t empty—it’s powerful.
- Use open skies, blank walls, or empty streets
- Place your subject off-center for balance
- Give the frame room to breathe
- Let silence amplify emotion
- Train your eye to see space as a design element
#11. Minimalist Photography Awards – Aerial, 2nd Place Winner: “Third eye” by Marcin Giba
#12. Minimalist Photography Awards – Landscape, 1st Place Winner: “Art of Winter” by Martin Rak
#13. Minimalist Photography Awards – Landscape, 2nd Place Winner: “Whirl” by Kalle Saarikko
#14. Minimalist Photography Awards – Long Exposure, 3rd Place Winner: “Branching Out” by Richie Johns
#15. Minimalist Photography Awards – Open Category, 3rd Place Winner: “Swan” by Florian Wurzinger
Master Light and Shadow
Light is the secret weapon of minimalist photography.
- Shoot early morning or late afternoon for clean light
- Look for strong shadows that create shapes
- Use contrast to isolate your subject
- Avoid flat lighting—directional light adds drama
- Wait for the light to hit just right
#16. Minimalist Photography Awards – Street, 1st Place Winner: “Together” by Selaru Ovidiu
#17. BigPicture Natural World Awards – “Aspen Shadows” by Devon Pradhuman, United States
#18. Fine Art Photography Awards – 1st place winner: “Curious” by Stefan Gerrits
“It was bitterly cold, -34°C. The Siberian Jay (Perisoreus infaustus), a naturally curious bird, is even more so in such harsh conditions. Drawn by the sounds of human activity, they approach, hoping for food. In its natural surroundings, this frozen wilderness, surrounded by photogenic, snow-laden pines, the jay flits back and forth. Its behavior is for sure a mix of curiosity and survival instinct. A 35mm double exposure.”
#19. 35 Photography Awards – “Solidarity” by Cuneyt Gumushaneli, Turkey
#20. 35 Photography Awards – “Taj Mahal” by Sanjeev Kumar, India
Work With Strong Shapes and Geometry
Minimalism loves structure.
- Look for lines, curves, and repeating patterns
- Use architecture for clean compositions
- Frame your subject with natural geometry
- Keep horizons straight and shapes intentional
- Simpler shapes = stronger impact
#21. Fine Art Photography Awards – “Photo” by samuel FERON
#22. Fine Art Photography Awards – “Stormy Skies” by David Swindler
#23. SkyPixel Aerial Photography Awards – Annual Best Photo Winner: “Mysterious Realm” by Gangerqia
#24. SkyPixel Aerial Photography Awards – “Snow” by Serkan DOGUS
#25. Natural Landscape Photography Awards – Photographer of the Year, Winner: Andrew Mielzynski
“I am overwhelmed, amazed, excited and deeply honoured to win the Natural Landscape Photography Award’s Photographer of the year award for 2024. The Natural Landscape Photography Awards are one of the biggest landscape competitions in the world, with a full range of categories that compliment many different genres in the landscape photography world. This contest is extremely prestigious and important for photographers who love traditional photography and who reject digital manipulation and AI. Their Golden Rule is that “The integrity of the subject should maintained” and to this end they ask for the original image to be submitted for inspection.”
#26. Natural Landscape Photography Awards – “Formed” by Andrew Baruffi
Be Patient and Intentional
Minimalist shots aren’t rushed—they’re earned.
- Wait for the perfect moment, not the busy one
- Watch how people or elements enter the frame
- Shoot fewer frames, but think more
- Trust your instincts and slow down
- Remember: timing beats complexity every time
#27. Natural Landscape Photography Awards – Photographer of the Year, Third Place: Sho Hoshino
#28. Minimalist Photography Awards – “Sacred Calm” by Judy N Adhitianto
“Sanur Beach, Bali, Indonesia is always a great place for minimalist photography.”
#29. Minimalist Photography Awards – “Echoes Of Light” by Brian Roberts
“Captured in the final quiet moments of morning at Shingle Street, Suffolk, this image reflects the profound stillness of the coastal landscape. The lone cottage and its perfect reflection sit suspended between sky and water.”
#30. Minimalist Photography Awards – “Otto” by Sebastian Raabe
“Otto is a visual study in balance and symmetry, named after the Italian word for “eight” and reflecting the rhythm of the repeating mooring numbers along the Venetian quay. The lone lamppost stands as a quiet sentinel over calm waters, bridging the elements of architecture and environment.”
In Summary
What is minimalist photography?
- Minimalist photography focuses on simplicity, using clean compositions, negative space, and a limited number of elements.
Why did minimalist photos win big in 2025?
- Judges favored clarity, emotion, and strong visual storytelling over complexity and clutter.
Which categories featured minimalist winners?
- Landscape, street, architecture, fine art, black & white, and conceptual photography.
Do minimalist photos require heavy editing?
- Not necessarily. Strong composition, light, and timing matter more than post-processing.
Can beginners shoot minimalist photography?
- Absolutely. Minimalism is about seeing, not gear—any camera can work.
