Tributes to tradition and innovation confronted with the rawness and desolation of the world make the Chromatic Photo Awards 2024 winners shine. An edition in which the Indonesian Hardijanto Budiman and the Angolan João Coelho have stood out on their own merits.
The Chromatic Awards 2024, also known as the Chromatic Photography Awards 2024, has once again dazzled the photography world by honoring the most exceptional works of color photography from around the globe. This prestigious competition, open to both professional and amateur photographers, celebrates the vibrancy, diversity, and creativity of color photography. Let’s dive into the winners and their awe-inspiring images that truly define the spirit of the Chromatic Awards.
Grand Prize Winners
Professional Grand Prize Winner: Hardijanto Budiman, Indonesia
Winning Image: A Poem for Spring
This portrait beautifully captures the intricate artistry of Mongolia’s traditional outfit. Inspired by the viral popularity of the Mongolian team’s attire for the Paris Olympics 2024, Hardijanto collaborated with a designer to recreate an outfit that resonates with Mongolian cultural motifs. Set against an ethereal backdrop, the image merges fashion, history, and storytelling. It’s a poetic homage to the elegance of tradition.
Amateur Grand Prize Winner: João Coelho, Angola
Winning Image: Scavengers
This stark image portrays landfill workers in Angola navigating the challenges of a toxic, post-apocalyptic landscape. João’s use of light and shadow heightens the tension of the moment, illustrating the resilience of those who endure harsh conditions to survive. The scene, with its mix of fire-lit air and discarded debris, is both haunting and deeply moving.
Professional Category Winners
Abstract
Paul Brouns (Netherlands) – Breathing Space
Paul transforms a mundane building facade into a vivid kaleidoscope of geometric shapes and colors. By carefully positioning elements to create balance and repetition, his image evokes a sense of calm and structure. The inclusion of his son and dog adds a playful touch to an otherwise abstract composition, giving the work a relatable human element.
Architecture
Paul Brouns (Netherlands) – Fountain of Coolness
This photograph captures the shimmering brilliance of L’Arbre Blanc in Montpellier, France. The building’s cascading balconies resemble leaves, and Paul’s precise framing makes the structure appear as a fountain of light and rhythm. The interplay between the silvery reflections and Mediterranean hues gives the image a refreshing, almost otherworldly quality.
Cityscapes
Seo In Cho (South Korea) – Chaotic Night
Set against the majestic mountains of China, this photograph captures the surreal beauty of a sprawling highway interchange illuminated during the blue hour. Seo’s work juxtaposes urban complexity with the quiet grandeur of nature, creating a visual narrative of human ingenuity and its encroachment on the natural world.
Conceptual
Francesca Reina (Mexico) – The Fall of Gabriel
Francesca takes viewers underwater for a breathtaking exploration of vulnerability and resilience. The image depicts a freediver suspended between light and shadow, symbolizing the delicate balance of human emotions. The cavernous underwater environment, combined with Gabriel’s poised figure, evokes a sense of introspection and hope.
Culture
Jan Ulicki (Poland) – Sheep Tree
Jan’s aerial image captures the beauty of a Polish pastoral tradition, Redyk. Thousands of sheep form a natural tree-like shape, framed by onlooking tourists. This striking photograph combines cultural heritage with artistic creativity, highlighting the harmony between humanity, animals, and tradition.
Environmental
Eli Basri (Israel) – Sinkhole
Eli documents the environmental consequences of the Dead Sea’s receding water levels, where sinkholes have overtaken once-thriving beaches. The stark contrast between the barren landscape and the collapsed ground offers a powerful commentary on ecological change and the urgent need for conservation efforts.
Fashion and Beauty
Marzena Kolarz (Poland) – REM Phase
Marzena merges dreamlike surrealism with high-fashion artistry. The bold, intricate designs of the clothing and the striking use of light and shadow transport viewers into a world that blurs the boundaries between reality and imagination, capturing the essence of the subconscious.
Fine Art
Yevhen Kostiuk (Ukraine) – When the Games Are Over
This melancholic image showcases an abandoned sports field in Ukraine, its vibrant colors muted by the passage of time and conflict. Yevhen’s minimalist aerial perspective invites viewers to reflect on the fragility of normalcy and the lasting effects of societal upheaval.
Landscapes
Ngar Shun Victor Wong (Hong Kong) – Morning Church
Victor’s photograph captures the tranquil beauty of a Slovenian church perched on a hilltop. Bathed in golden sunlight, the church exudes an aura of peace and spirituality, with the interplay of light and shadow enhancing its ethereal charm.
Nature
Alessandro Cantarelli (Italy) – Climbing
In this panoramic masterpiece, Alessandro captures Patagonia’s Fitz Roy peaks against a celestial backdrop. His daring approach to mountaineering photography—shooting from a summit tethered by ropes—results in an image that conveys both the majesty of nature and the thrill of adventure.
Nudes
Chim Oanh (Vietnam) – On the Hill
A self-portrait taken during a trek in Vietnam, this photograph is a celebration of the human form in harmony with nature. The subtle composition and warm lighting create an intimate yet powerful connection between the subject and the landscape.
People
Chim Oanh (Vietnam) – Incense Craft Village’s Flowers
This striking photograph captures the vibrant colors and intricate patterns of incense sticks drying under the sun in a Vietnamese craft village. The workers are seen meticulously arranging the incense into flower-like formations, symbolizing the deep connection between tradition and spirituality in Vietnamese culture.
Photojournalism
Seth Berry (United States) – In the Valley of Death
Seth captures the anguish of families mourning murdered environmentalists in Honduras. The raw emotion conveyed through the weeping figures highlights the human cost of environmental advocacy, making this image both a journalistic triumph and a call to action.
Photomanipulation
Marzena Kolarz (Poland) – Growing Up
This symbolic self-portrait narrates a coming-of-age story with an artistic touch. Marzena’s expertise in blending photographic and digital techniques results in a visually arresting image that explores themes of growth, identity, and transformation.
Portrait
Hardijanto Budiman (Indonesia) – A Poem for Spring
Hardijanto Budiman’s image (which can be seen above) not only excelled in the People category, but also won the Professional Grand Prize Winner.
Sports
Gabriel Holguin (Colombia) – Underwater Multiverse
Gabriel’s photograph captures the grace and strength of Colombian athletes training underwater. The movement of bubbles and light creates an ethereal effect, making the athletes appear as if they are suspended in a dreamlike realm.
Still Life
Edwin Vargas (United States) – Savage Seduction
Edwin’s still life uses vivid neon hues and exotic props to explore themes of materialism and desire. The image invites viewers to reflect on the emptiness that often accompanies the pursuit of wealth and validation, blending bold visuals with profound commentary.
Street
Riccardo Roan (Italy) – Tokyo Revengers
Shot on Kodak Portra 400 film using a Hasselblad 500C/M, Riccardo’s image captures the vibrancy and raw energy of Tokyo’s urban life. The use of analog photography adds depth and authenticity, turning a fleeting moment into an enduring narrative.
Travel
Jurica Galic (Croatia) – Back to the Past
Jurica’s image showcases the Mundari people of South Sudan and their majestic long-horned cattle. Taken at sunset, the photograph immerses viewers in the unique cultural practices of the Mundari, blending natural beauty with anthropological insight.
Wildlife and Animals
Baiju Patil (India) – Through the Legs
This photograph, taken in Jim Corbett National Park, captures the intimate dynamics of elephants in their natural habitat. Baiju’s keen eye for detail and timing allows him to present a unique perspective, sneaking in among the animals and capturing a unique light and point of view.
The winning photographs in the Professional category of these Chromatic Photo Awards 2024 are impressive, but we can assure you that the Amateurs are not far behind.
Amateur Category Winners
Abstract
Saurabh Sirohiya (India) – Bowing in Eid Mubarak
Saurabh’s aerial image captures the incredible sight of over 5,000 Muslim devotees gathered at Jama Masjid in India for Eid-ul-Fitr prayers. The symmetry of the bowing figures creates a mesmerizing visual effect, reflecting the unity and devotion of the faithful. This photograph transforms a moment of communal worship into a breathtaking work of art.
Architecture
Sebastian Piórek (Poland) – Head Wearing Headphones
This whimsical aerial shot reveals a public swimming pool in Rybnik, Poland, which resembles a human head wearing headphones. The playful perspective adds a sense of humor to the image while showcasing the creativity in architectural design. Sebastian’s minimalist approach draws attention to the hidden beauty in everyday structures.
Cityscapes
Don Kline (United States) – Yellow House
Don’s minimalist composition captures the quiet beauty of a Reykjavik house bathed in the soft light of late afternoon shadows. The subdued tones and clean lines evoke a sense of calm and timelessness, celebrating the simplicity of urban life in Iceland’s capital.
Conceptual
Marcin Jankowski (Poland) – Untitled
Marcin’s photograph presents a striking minimalist composition create a surreal and thought-provoking scene. The stark simplicity of the objects while inviting viewers to interpret the metaphorical relationship between the elements. The image cleverly combines visual humor with a deeper commentary on consumption, artifice, and the unexpected beauty found in mundane objects.
Culture
Athanasios Maloukos (Greece) – La Desolata Procession
Athanasios captures the haunting beauty of La Desolata, a Holy Week procession in Canosa di Puglia, Italy. Women dressed in black veils mourn in unison as they chant the Stabat Mater, embodying universal themes of grief and devotion. The photograph’s emotional intensity and cultural depth make it a standout piece. Plus, the white hand peeking out breaking the composition and elevating the capture to another level makes it one of our favorites.
Environmental
Mohammad Foisal (Bangladesh) – Plastic Hiking
Mohammad’s powerful image depicts a daily worker carrying a massive bag of plastic waste up a hill made entirely of discarded plastic. The stark contrast between the worker’s small figure and the overwhelming volume of trash underscores the urgent need to address global plastic pollution and its impact on communities.
Fashion and Beauty
Laurien Michiels (Belgium) – Join the Hive
Laurien’s imaginative photograph portrays a futuristic vision of a post-human civilization. The use of drones as symbolic figures, paired with bold digital aesthetics, creates a striking commentary on the intersection of technology, beauty, and the environment.
Fine Art
Lukasz Spychala (Poland) – Multiverse
Lukasz’s Multiverse series explores intergenerational differences shaped by rapid technological advancements. Through carefully staged scenes, he portrays characters from different generations coexisting yet separated by their unique experiences. The images encourage viewers to reflect on how technology shapes our lives and relationships.
Landscapes
Matteo Strassera (Italy) – Yggdrasill
Captured during the eruption of Litli-Hrútur in Iceland, Matteo’s photograph draws parallels with the Norse cosmic tree, Yggdrasill. The glowing lava flows resemble the tree’s branches, creating a powerful visual metaphor for creation and transformation. The photograph masterfully blends mythological symbolism with natural phenomena.
Nature
Peter Hergesheimer (United States) – Cosmic Firefall
Peter’s astrophotography captures the shockwave of a supernova expanding through the gases of the Sh2-91 nebula in the constellation Cygnus. Created from over 17 hours of exposure, the image reveals the cosmic dance of light and energy, evoking a sense of wonder about the universe.
Nudes
Pierre Burnaugh (United States) – Tide Pool
Pierre’s elegant photograph showcases the human form in harmony with nature, depicting a nude figure immersed in a tide pool by the ocean. The interplay of light, water, and skin creates a serene and timeless composition that celebrates both vulnerability and strength.
People
Partha Roy (Singapore) – Chicken in the Kitchen
Partha’s lighthearted photograph captures a charming scene of everyday life. The image blends humor with cultural insight, as the unexpected appearance of a chicken in a kitchen serves as a metaphor for the unpredictable and joyful moments that define human experience.
Photojournalism
João Coelho (Angola) – Scavengers
This magnificent photograph can be enjoyed at the beginning of this post, as João Coelho’s capture not only stood out in the Photojournalist category, but also won the Chromatic Discovery of the Year 2024 award.
Photomanipulation
Stephanie Grass (Germany) – A Breath for Life
Stephanie’s surreal image uses birds as symbols of hope and transformation. The dark tones and ethereal composition reflect on the fragility of life and the potential for renewal, inviting viewers to find meaning in change and resilience.
Portrait
Barry Crosthwaite (United States) – Enlightened Contemplation
Barry’s portrait of a novice monk studying under sunlight streaming through a temple window in Myanmar captures a serene moment of learning and reflection. The image celebrates the monk’s dedication to education and spiritual growth, as well as the cultural significance of monastic life in Myanmar.
Sports
Matthew DeSantis (United States) – Baseball in Bhutan
Set against a backdrop of a massive Buddha statue, teenagers clad in traditional Bhutanese attire play a spirited game of baseball. Matthew’s photograph symbolizes the blending of tradition and modernity in Bhutan, while celebrating the universal joy of sports.
Still Life
Luca Menotti (Italy) – Rosehips
Luca’s still life transforms simple rose hips into a vivid display of color and form using the Pep Ventosa technique. The resulting image is a celebration of nature’s beauty and an artistic exploration of light, texture, and repetition.
Street
Dmytro Geshengorin (Germany) – Sunset Flight
Dmytro’s photograph captures a breakdancer mid-flight on a beach in Jericoacoara, Brazil, with the setting sun as a dramatic backdrop. The image freezes a moment of raw energy and artistic expression, embodying the spirit of street culture.
Travel
Barry Crosthwaite (United States) – Infinite
Barry’s image of the Panna Meena Kund stepwell in Jaipur, India, combines architectural beauty with cultural storytelling. Featuring Kalbelia tribe dancers performing traditional water-gathering scenes, the photograph is a tribute to India’s rich heritage and timeless traditions.
Wildlife and Animals
Elizabeth Yicheng Shen (United States) – Play Fighting
Elizabeth’s tender photograph shows two cubs playfully wrestling while their mother rests nearby. The image captures a heartwarming moment of learning and bonding, highlighting the vital role of play in developing the cubs’ hunting skills and social behaviors.
Chromatic Awards 2024: A Feast for the Eyes
The Chromatic Awards 2024 not only celebrate technical brilliance but also champion storytelling and cultural preservation. These vibrant images remind us of the transformative power of color photography.
But if these photos have impressed you, don’t stop here, you can find all these photos and many more in the Chromatic Photography Awards 2024 winners gallery on the contest page.
For aspiring photographers, competitions like this open doors to international recognition. Check out our list of photography challenges and competitions to explore more opportunities and showcase your talent.
Are You Ready to Shine in 2025?
If the incredible talent showcased in the 2024 Chromatic Awards has inspired you, why not take the leap and participate in the next edition? The Chromatic Awards 2025 is already accepting entries, offering photographers the chance to gain international recognition and showcase their creativity. Visit our dedicated entry to learn more about how you can submit your work and be part of this prestigious competition: Explore Chromatic Awards 2025.