25 Award-Winning Black and White Portraits That Capture the Human Soul

The Monochrome Photography Awards continue to celebrate the timeless power of black and white imagery, and this year’s winning portraits are nothing short of extraordinary. Stripped of color yet rich in emotion, these award-winning black and white portraits reveal the depth and complexity of the human experience.

Each image tells a story—of joy, pain, resilience, or quiet reflection—captured with a clarity that only monochrome can provide. From weathered faces etched with wisdom to intimate glances frozen in time, these portraits prove that soulful storytelling transcends color.

Black and white photography has long been revered for its ability to focus attention on form, light, and emotion, and the selected portraits in this collection embody that tradition with striking precision. The photographers honored by the Monochrome Photography Awards masterfully use shadow and contrast to amplify the emotional resonance of each subject. In a world flooded with vibrant visuals, these soulful black and white portraits stand out for their honesty and artistic restraint—offering viewers a powerful, timeless window into the human soul.

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#1. 1st Place Winner: Acid Attac Survivor By Erico Hiller

An Acid Attack Survivor (Portrait at the Taj Mahal). In my work for my new book about women, I was in Agra, India, and I was able to meet countless women like Geeta, in the photo, who posed for me, a timeless and disturbing portrait, which shows a trace of the violence and intolerance of our time.