There’s something raw—and low-key addictive—about black and white landscapes when they’re done right. Strip away the color, and suddenly every line, shadow, and texture has to earn its keep. This year’s Refocus Photographer of the Year – Black and White Landscape (Non-Professional) winners prove that minimalism isn’t about less effort—it’s about sharper vision.
Leading the pack is Carlotta Grenier, who took Gold with After a Heavy Rain. The image is deceptively simple: a small tree clinging to life after a brutal downpour, water carving its way through a gorge like time itself. It hits hard because it’s quiet. No drama. Just resilience. Nature saying, “I’m still here.”
Silver went to Jim Guerard for Morning Mist, shot at dawn in a cypress swamp near Savannah, Georgia. Fog hangs heavy, the old trees stand like bouncers, and right in the middle—a young sapling catching its moment. It’s moody, poetic, and straight-up cinematic. One of those frames that makes you slow your scroll.
Then there’s the People’s Vote Award by Bruno Spadoni Neto for First Light on the Giants. Patagonia. Icy dawn. Torres del Paine waking up before the world does. Light vs darkness in a silent standoff. It’s epic without trying too hard—and that’s the flex.
Together, these 24 landscapes show how minimalism isn’t empty. It’s intentional. It’s storytelling with restraint. And yeah—it proves black and white still rules when photographers trust light, patience, and guts over gimmicks.
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#1. Gold: "After a heavy rain" by Carlotta Grenier
"This little tree is still standing after a very heavy rainfall cascading down this gorge."
#2. Silver: "Morning Mist" by Jim Guerard
"Captured at dawn on a foggy morning in one of the cypress swamps near Savannah, Georgia. The adult trees stand guard, yet provide an opening to view the young sapling in the middle."
#3. Bronze: "Deadvlei" by Carlos Esguerra
#4. People’s Vote Award: "First Light on the Giants" by Bruno Spadoni Neto
"In the icy dawn of Patagonia, the Torres del Paine rise from the shadows to greet the first light. While the valley sleeps, the giants awaken. A tribute to nature’s silent grandeur and to the eternal dialogue between darkness and illumination."
Honorable Mentions
#5. "A road home" by Barry Good
"Here you see an Infrared look at one possible road home … home, a place that holds the warmth we find in our hearts ."
#6. "Bird of Spray" by Michael Scandling
#7. "The Quiraing" by Jim Guerard
"Captured in the early morning light as the haze began to clear on The Isle of Skye, Scotland."
#8. "Yosemite Falls" by Eric Seidner
"Yosemite Valley experienced a record-breaking snowfall. As snowpack melted, waterfalls cascaded down the iconic cliffs, with some roaring back to life after decades of dormancy and others flowing for the first time. Here, Yosemite Falls is captured in all its glory, pouring over the mountainside."
#9. "Into the storm" by Lorenzo Tonello
"Playing with sun and clouds after a summer storm. This is a small portion of the northern side of Sassolungo mount (3181m) in Dolomites, Italy."
#10. "Sharp Edges" by Jennifer Esseiva
"These sharp rocks stand on Coumeenoole Beach, Dingle Peninsula. I had seen them in photos but never knew their location, until a road trip with a friend revealed they were right there, waiting to be photographed. A hidden gem found by chance!"
#11. "Helen’s Cross" by Jim Guerard
"Taken at Loch Ard in Scotland on a foggy October Morning. The "story" told about this marker is that the cross marks the spot where Helen MacGregor, (wife of Rob Roy) dragged a British spy and drowned him after her husband was captured."
#12. "Moon in Socotra Dunes" by Karen Safer
#13. "Through the Fog" by Connor McLaughlin
"Acadia National Park"
#14. "La caseta" by Jose Luis Fernandez
#15. "Shadows in the Sand" by Greg West
#16. "Infinite Horizon" by Janine Dawes
#17. "Lonesome tree" by Thierry Lagnel
"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."
Nominees
#18. "Where the road leads" by Travis Medwin
"The winding road and towering peaks of the Lofoten mountains are some of the most spectacular landscapes in Norway. The road that leads to the cozy village of Nusfjord in this shot emphasizes dramatic tones and distinct mood."
#19. "Tango" by Michael Scandling
#20. "Fade away in your ocean breeze" by Nik Dimitrov
#21. "Wind turbines at dusk" by Karbon Blue
#22. "The mist is closing in" by Paul Fowler
"Cairngorms, Scotland"
#23. "Field in winter" by Dmitry Pikovsky
"This year in Europe there was little snow in February. This field is not far from where we stayed during our trip."
#24. "Another Time and Place" by Michael Scandling
In Summary
What is the Refocus Photographer of the Year contest?
An international photography competition celebrating excellence in visual storytelling across genres.
Which category is featured here?
Black and White Landscape – Non-Professional.
Who won the Gold award?
Carlotta Grenier for After a Heavy Rain.
Why is black and white powerful in landscape photography?
It emphasizes mood, form, texture, and light without color distractions.
What defines minimalist landscape art?
Strong composition, limited elements, emotional clarity, and intentional simplicity.
