Striking images, emotional depth, and pure visual storytelling—these are the hallmarks of a great monochrome photograph. Now imagine showcasing your best work on an international stage. The Open Cup of Russia, Monochrome 2025 is calling for entries. Hosted by the Association of Photographers Eurasia and fully recognized by FIAP and IAAP, this salon offers some of the best photography challenge prizes available today, making it an unmissable opportunity for black and white specialists worldwide.
This global monochrome salon features six dynamic categories—Free-Theme, Documentary, Architecture, Portrait, People & Life, Creative & Concept, and Lines, Graphic & Minimalism—allowing up to four digital images per category. The contest culminates in a single, thorough judging round and distributes a prolific lineup of 153 awards: the top photographer earns the prestigious FIAP Blue Medal, section winners receive FIAP and IAAP Gold Medals with ribbons, APE medals, special club awards, and all selected works are showcased in a PDF exhibition catalogue. Key dates include the July 9 deadline, July 13 judging, and an August 7 results announcement, followed by an exhibition from September 21 to October 21, 2025.
A €24 entry fee per participant grants access to this high-profile event, provided submissions adhere to the contest’s digital guidelines. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an emerging talent, the Open Cup of Russia, Monochrome 2025 offers both prestige and global visibility, making it a must-enter competition for anyone passionate about black and white photography.
The Open Cup of Russia, Monochrome 2025 Prizes
Entries will be rewarded with a range of awards across all categories:
- FIAP Blue Medal awarded to the photographer with the highest overall score, symbolizing excellence in monochrome artistry.
- FIAP Gold Medal plus ribbon and IAAP Gold Medal plus ribbon presented to each category winner, recognizing outstanding section achievements.
- APE Medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze) with ribbons for the top three entries in every section, celebrating technical and creative prowess.
- Club Special Awards including medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze), trophies, and certificates for standout submissions as determined by the Association of Photographers Eurasia.
- All selected works featured in a comprehensive PDF exhibition catalogue, offering lasting visibility.
Related Photo Contests
The Categories of the Open Cup of Russia, Monochrome 2025
The Open Cup of Russia, Monochrome 2025 features six distinct categories for black and white photography, each allowing up to four digital images per entrant.
Free-Theme: Open to any subject and inviting photographers to explore the full expressive potential of black-and-white imagery.
Documentary: This section emphasizes storytelling and capturing real-life events in monochrome, aligning it with other renowned documentary photography competitions.
Architecture: Focuses on the aesthetic qualities, scale, and interplay of built structures with their surroundings, making it a standout among architecture photography competitions.
Portrait, People & Life: Showcases human emotion, character, and the diversity of daily life—ranging from studio and street portraits to cultural traditions and significant events.
Creative & Concept: Encourages conceptual and creative approaches, inviting photographers to illustrate ideas through crafted imagery that goes beyond straightforward representation.
Lines, Graphic & Minimalism: Highlights the power of purity of form with compositions that use clean lines, geometric precision, and minimal elements to evoke strong visual impact.
Open Cup of Russia, Monochrome 2025 Dates and Entry Fees
| Submission Deadline | July 9, 2025 |
| Judging | July 13, 2025 |
| Results Announcement | August 7, 2025 |
| Exhibition Period | September 21 – October 21, 2025 |
Entry Fee: €24 per participant (up to four images per category).
How to Enter:
Visit the official contest website, complete the online entry form, and upload up to four black and white digital images per category. Accepted file specifications: JPG format, max 2MB, vertical edge up to 1080px or horizontal up to 1920px, 300 dpi. After uploading, proceed to payment of the €24 entry fee through the provided methods. A confirmation email will be sent upon successful submission.
Why Enter Open Cup of Russia, Monochrome 2025?
As one of the few FIAP & IAAP-recognized salons focused exclusively on black and white imagery, this contest offers unparalleled prestige and exposure. A single evaluation round by experienced international jurors ensures fair recognition, while the PDF exhibition catalogue guarantees a permanent showcase of selected works. From the coveted FIAP Blue Medal to section-specific awards, the Open Cup of Russia, Monochrome 2025 stands alongside other photography challenges and rewards for those seeking to refine their monochrome craft and build global credentials.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Open Cup of Russia, Monochrome 2025 has been generated automatically. If you are interested in participating in this contest we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest.
Rules
Each entrant may submit up to four original digital black-and-white images per category. AI-generated content is strictly prohibited; HDR images without significant editing are not acceptable. All entries must maintain intact EXIF data for verification. Submissions previously recognized by FIAP or IAAP may be ineligible. The contest is open to photographers worldwide, with one round of judging determining all final awards.
Copyright and Image Usage
Photographers retain full copyright of their images. By entering, participants grant the organizers a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to reproduce submitted works for promotional and exhibition purposes, including online display and in the official PDF catalogue. Any further use will require explicit permission from the rights holder.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
