The reFocus Awards: Black & White Photo Contest 2026 is now accepting entries, inviting photographers from around the globe to strip away the distraction of color and reveal the raw emotional power of the monochrome image. Whether you are a seasoned professional or a passionate amateur, this competition offers a prestigious platform to showcase your vision, adjudicated by a jury of heavyweights from institutions like National Geographic, ABC News, and Conde Nast.
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While many photography competitions focus strictly on technical perfection, the reFocus Awards emphasize the artist’s voice and the narrative strength of the image. As a premier black & white photo contest, this 2026 edition continues its tradition of separating professional and non-professional talent to ensure fair judging. It offers a total prize pool of $4,000 in cash awards alongside significant career-boosting international exposure.
With the first deadline approaching on February 4, 2026, and a final deadline on May 27, 2026, photographers have a limited window to take advantage of early entry benefits. Beyond the financial rewards, winners gain entry into the exclusive Artist Directory and receive press assets designed to elevate their professional profile, ensuring their work is seen by true industry insiders.
The reFocus Awards: Black & White Photo Contest Prizes
The prize structure for the reFocus Awards: Black & White Photo Contest 2026 is designed to provide tangible career support and lasting recognition. In addition to direct cash prizes, winners receive physical accolades that symbolize their achievement.
Professional Contest Winners
- 1st Place: $1,500 cash award, a personalized Black Crystal reFocus Trophy, and a printed/embossed Winner’s Achievement Certificate.
- 2nd Place: $750 cash award.
- 3rd Place: $250 cash award.
Non-Professional Contest Winners
- 1st Place: $900 cash award, a personalized Black Crystal reFocus Trophy, and a printed/embossed Winner’s Achievement Certificate.
- 2nd Place: $400 cash award.
- 3rd Place: $200 cash award.
Additional Benefits for Winners:
Winners in both tiers also receive a suite of promotional benefits, including:
- International Press Exposure: A custom press release tailored to your achievement and distribution to a global audience.
- Artist Directory Profile: A public profile in the reFocus Artist Directory, increasing discoverability by editors and buyers.
- Winner’s Gallery Feature: Prominent display of the winning work in the contest gallery.
- Digital Assets: Personalized digital badges and certificates to validate the award.
- Interview Opportunities: Published interviews for top winners to share their creative journey.
- Trophy Eligibility: Category winners (Gold, Silver, Bronze) are eligible to purchase the exclusive Clear Crystal reFocus Trophy.
- People’s Vote Eligibility: All nominated entries are automatically entered into the People’s Vote Award, offering further exposure without additional fees.
Related Photo Contests
The Categories of the reFocus Awards: Black & White Photo Contest
The contest is divided into a wide array of categories to ensure that every style of black and white photography has a home. Participants can submit their work as a single image or a series (2-5 images) into the following genres:
- Abstract: Images that focus on shape, form, and texture rather than literal representation.
- Aerial: Photographs taken from an elevated perspective, including drone photography.
- Architecture: Capturing buildings, bridges, and urban structures.
- Conceptual: Images that illustrate an idea or a constructed narrative.
- Domestic Animals: Celebrating the pets and animals that share our daily lives.
- Event: Capturing the energy of music, festivals, and public gatherings.
- Fashion & Beauty: Highlighting style, clothing, and makeup artistry.
- Film/Analog: Traditional photography created using film processes.
- Fine Art: Photography created primarily for aesthetic or intellectual value.
- Landscapes: Depictions of the natural world and outdoor environments.
- Minimalism: Composition that uses the fewest elements to create the maximum effect.
- Nature: Scenes of the physical world, distinct from man-made environments.
- People: Portraits and candid shots focusing on individuals or groups.
- Photojournalism: Images that tell a news story or document current events.
- Portrait: Capturing the personality and likeness of a person.
- Still Life: Depiction of inanimate subject matter.
- Street: Unmediated chance encounters and incidents in public places.
- Travel: Documenting the feeling of a time and place, often showcasing culture.
- Wildlife: Photography of non-domesticated animals in their natural habitat.
reFocus Awards: Black & White Photo Contest Dates and Entry Fees
The reFocus Awards: Black & White Photo Contest 2026 operates on a tiered deadline system. Submitting early ensures the standard entry rate, while the extended deadline offers a final chance for late entries.
Key Dates:
- Early Bird Deadline: February 4, 2026
- Regular Submission Deadline: April 7, 2026
- Extended Submission Deadline: May 27, 2026
- Winners Announcement: June 17, 2026
Entry Fees:
| Category | Entry Type | Early Bird | Regular | Extended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional | Single Image | $25 | $27 | $30 |
| Professional | Series | $42 | $45 | $50 |
| Non-Professional | Single Image | $21 | $22 | $25 |
| Non-Professional | Series | $34 | $36 | $40 |
How to Enter
Participating is a straightforward process handled entirely through the official website. You must first create a free account and verify your email. Once logged in, you can upload your images (JPEG or PNG, minimum 1500px on the longest side, under 10MB), select your category, and pay the entry fee. You may submit the same image to multiple categories if relevant, though each requires a separate entry fee.
About the Jury
The credibility of the reFocus Awards rests on its high-caliber jury. The 2026 panel features a diverse group of industry leaders who bring global insight and uncompromising standards to the judging process.
The jury includes distinguished figures such as Irene Opezzo (Photo Director at Robb Report), Gary Hershorn (Deputy Director of Photography at ABC News), and Maia Murphy (Senior Editor at Phaidon Press).
Other notable judges reviewing the submissions include Anna Alexander (Director of Photography at WIRED), Karin Mueller (Visuals Director at Conde Nast Traveller UK), and Annie Griffiths (Founder of Ripple Effect Images and National Geographic Photographer). This mix of curators, editors, and working photographers ensures that every entry is evaluated by eyes that understand both the art and the business of photography.
Why Enter reFocus Awards: Black & White Photo Contest 2026?
Entering this contest is an investment in your career. Beyond the monetary prizes, the reFocus Awards: Black & White Photo Contest 2026 puts your work directly in front of editors and directors who hire photographers. The organization has a track record of helping winners get featured in major publications like Forbes, CNN, The Guardian, and My Modern Met.
It is widely regarding as one of the best photography challenges to participate in if you want to elevate your portfolio. Furthermore, the distinction between professional and non-professional tracks levels the playing field, allowing emerging talent to shine in the competitive world of black and white photography contests without facing established industry veterans directly. Whether you specialize in documentary work or fine art, receiving a “reFocus” badge is a stamp of quality.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the reFocus Awards: Black & White Photo Contest 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 18 years of age or older. Entries are separated into “Professional” (anyone who earns the majority of their income from photography) and “Non-Professional” (those who do not). Images generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) are strictly prohibited and will be disqualified. Sepia-toned images are accepted in black and white categories.
Copyright and Image Usage
Photographers retain full copyright and ownership of their images. By entering, you grant reFocus Awards a non-exclusive license to use the images for the promotion of the contest and the organization (e.g., on social media, the website, or in exhibitions). The organizers explicitly state they will never sell your work to third parties and will always credit the photographer when the image is displayed.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
