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The Black and White Photo Awards 2026 stands as one of the most exciting international photography competitions dedicated to the art of monochrome imagery. This prestigious contest continues its mission to recognize and reward outstanding talent in black and white photography, drawing submissions from photographers around the globe. Open to both professionals and amateurs, the competition is structured around six categories —Architecture, Street, Fauna and Flora, Portrait, Landscape, and Open Theme— allowing artists to showcase their unique vision in the timeless medium of black and white.
With a prize pool valued at over €2,500, the contest not only highlights exceptional images but also provides tangible rewards that help elevate the careers of emerging talents and seasoned photographers alike. Esteemed jurors bring a wealth of experience to the evaluation process. Their expertise ensures that the submissions are judged fairly based on technical excellence, creative vision, and the powerful ability to capture emotion through black and white imagery.
Special prizes are awarded to the Absolute Winner—who will receive €1,500—as well as to the best photograph in each category, along with special recognitions including 15 honorable mentions. These awards reflect the contest’s commitment to fostering innovation and celebrating the art of black and white photography.
Submissions for the Black and White Photo Awards 2026 must be made through the official website by the closing date of June 15, 2026. Detailed guidelines outline the technical requirements and specify that entries are accepted on a per-category basis, with an entry fee of €15 per category. The financial rewards, the international exposure, professional recognition, and inclusion in one of the most respected black and white photography contests provide a significant boost to any photographer’s portfolio. For those looking to immerse themselves in photography challenges and rewards, this competition offers a compelling opportunity to push creative boundaries and join a vibrant global community.
The Black and White Photo Awards 2026 Prizes
The prizes at the Black and White Photo Awards 2026 are structured to provide both recognition and practical support to the winners. These awards underscore the contest’s commitment to advancing the careers of talented photographers. The prizes include:
- Absolute Winner Prize:
- €1,500 cash prize
- Category Prizes:
- 6 prizes of €200 for the best photograph in each category
- Additional Honorable Mentions:
- 15 winners receive honorable mentions for their outstanding work
- Black and White Photo Awards Annual Book:
- The winning and featured photographs may be included in a promotional catalog published as part of the contest prizes
The Categories of the Black and White Photo Awards 2026
The Black and White Photo Awards 2026 invites photographers to submit their work in six thematic categories, each designed to celebrate different aspects of black and white photography:
- Architecture:
Focus on structures, spaces, and urban design. Entries should emphasize form, contrast, and the interplay of light and shadow in architectural elements. - Street:
Capture the spontaneity and raw emotion of urban life. This category values candid moments and the dynamic energy of everyday scenes. - Fauna and Flora:
Explore the beauty of the natural world. Photographers are encouraged to reveal the intricate details of wildlife and plant life through monochrome imagery. - Portrait:
Showcase the essence of human expression. This category includes intimate, expressive images that capture character, emotion, and personal stories. - Landscape:
Display sweeping vistas and natural environments. Entries should evoke a sense of place and the dramatic contrasts found in nature. - Open Theme:
A new category for black and white photographs that, for whatever reason, do not quite fit into the five previous themes.
Black and White Photo Awards 2026 Dates and Entry Fees
Below is a table summarizing the key dates and registration fees for the contest:
| Event | Date/Deadline |
|---|---|
| Submission Deadline | June 15, 2026 |
| Judging Period | After the registration period closes |
| Winners Announcement | August |
| Entry Fee Details | Cost |
|---|---|
| Fee per Category (up to 5 photos) | €15 |
How to Enter Black and White Photo Awards 2026
Photographers can enter the Black and White Photo Awards 2026 through the official participation area on the contest website. After registering, participants can upload their images to the categories of their choice and complete the participation process online.
- Entries must be submitted in black and white.
- Each €15 category registration allows up to 5 photographs for the chosen category.
- Participants may enter more than one category.
- Additional photos can be added while the participation period remains open, but once it closes, submitted photos cannot be changed.
About the Jury
The Black and White Photo Awards 2026 boasts an esteemed panel of jurors, all of whom are luminaries in the field of monochrome photography. The jury includes:
- Julia Anna Gospodarou:
An internationally acclaimed photographer, architect, author and educator known for her architectural and fine art photography. She has been named IPA International Photography Awards Professional Architectural Photographer of the Year and has received more than 80 international awards and distinctions. - Joel Tjintjelaar:
A fine-art photographer, author and educator specialized in black and white, long exposure, architectural, landscape and still life photography, recognized for his influential digital monochrome processing methods. - Charles Paul Azzopardi:
An internationally awarded black and white artist and photographer renowned for long exposure fine art and architecture, as well as a photographic cultural heritage expert and President of the Malta Institute of Professional Photography. - Kazutoshi Kawakami:
A celebrated photographer with a striking visual style and creative digital artwork, recognized in international competitions and winner of the Portrait category of the Black and White Photo Awards 2022. - Néstor Rodan:
A landscape photographer, photographic travel guide and multimedia content creator, known for his work in extreme travel and his deep appreciation of natural light and remote landscapes.
The contest will also have an assistant jury formed by professional photographers from the NCJ Media Solutions team.
Why Enter Black and White Photo Awards 2026?
Participating in the Black and White Photo Awards 2026 offers a unique opportunity for photographers to gain international recognition and tangible rewards for their work. The contest not only celebrates the art of monochrome photography but also provides valuable career support through its range of prizes and professional exposure. This competition is a prime example of photography contests and challenges, merging creative excellence with practical benefits.
With a robust prize pool, access to top-tier photography resources, and endorsements from a panel of respected judges, this contest is a great platform for both emerging and established photographers. Whether you are passionate about traditional black and white imagery or innovative approaches in this timeless medium, this contest invites you to push your creative boundaries and join a vibrant global community of artists.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Black and White Photo Awards 2026 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
- The contest is open to anyone over 18 years old, except Black and White Photo Awards employees, associated companies, and employees of companies chosen to sponsor the prizes.
- Only black and white pictures are accepted.
- Film and digitally captured images are accepted.
- There is no limit to the number of images each artist can submit.
- There are no restrictions on when the image was taken.
- Participants must be the sole owner and author of each photograph submitted.
- Images must be of 100% photographic origin, created with a camera or similar device.
- Submitted files must be JPG format, with a minimum dimension of 2500 pixels on the long side, sRGB or Adobe98 color space, no watermarks, no logos, no borders, and a maximum size of 100 MB.
- Finalists must be able to provide a RAW file or an original unmanipulated file to demonstrate ownership and verify editing.
- The jury phase is blind. Judges score each photograph individually, and the average score is used to select finalists before a new vote determines category winners and the final winner.
- Images are judged on artistic merit, originality, theme, and style.
- The decision of the Black and White Photo Awards is final.
Copyright and Image Usage
- The copyright of the images always belongs to the photographer.
- Sponsors do not acquire rights of use for commercial purposes.
- For winning images, copyright holders grant the contest organizer unlimited, non-exclusive use in connection with the contest and its promotional activities, including online, print, social media, exhibitions and screenings, without remuneration.
- The winning images may be used on the contest website or in physical and digital media without remuneration, strictly in connection with the awards.
- Images will not be sold or used by third parties for purposes other than the promotion of the Black and White Photo Awards. If such a request is received, the organizer says it will be forwarded to the photographer by email.
- Participants agree to the use of their name and images for promotional and advertising purposes related to the contest, without additional compensation.
- Any image used by the Black and White Photo Awards must mention the author, with reasonable efforts made to correct any missing credit after notification.
For more information and to enter the competition, visit: the official website.
