Saturday, July 19, 2025

Letter to the Editor Regarding AAP Magazine #48: Portrait by Tom Zimberoff

First, let me say how much I admire the work All About Photo continues to do, broadly recognized as an essential platform for photographers worldwide. And that’s precisely why I feel compelled to write candidly.

There are untold works of portraiture by my contemporaries, younger and older alike, with whom I’d feel honored to share company in a juried competition—even as a runner-up. But in this instance, I was dismayed by the context in which my own work appeared. With respect, I’ve asked that my photographs be withdrawn from the print edition of AAP Magazine #48: Portrait.

Robert Flynn Johnson, Emeritus Curator of the de Young Museum © Tom Zimberoff


Sour grapes? Nope. My concern is broader—and more pressing. It has to do with how portraiture has come to be ill-defined, misrepresented, and, therefore, contextually misjudged.

The First Prize-winner—representing a series of photographs (not just one), while admirable in many ways, is explicitly described by its author as the work of a documentary photographer. Her term, not mine. The Third Prize image closely mimics a well-known portrait by Herb Ritts (Djimon Hounsou with Octopus)—which, while perhaps an homage, raises serious questions about its originality in a juried context. And many of the remaining photographs blur lines between genres to the point of making portraiture itself unrecognizable as a separate category.

This kind of categorical slippage may feel inclusive, even progressive. But it threatens to erode the expressive ethos that distinguishes portraiture from documentary photography, photojournalism, and conceptual art. A photograph is not a portrait simply because it includes a person in the frame. And a photographer’s portfolio of portraits need not represent a series to be taken seriously; it can be discursive without losing its semblance of singular style.

First Place Winner: 'That place he goes' © Carole Mills Noronha


A bit of context: Having been published prolifically when magazines ruled the media, throughout the heyday of editorial photo assignments, I had little use for contests. Few working pros did. We relied on steady publication—backed by photo credits—to reach additional editors, art directors, and curators. And we got paid.

I quit shooting just as my career reached escape velocity, coincidentally on the cusp of the industry going digital. That’s another story. Nevertheless, having returned to photography after a 20-year hiatus, I now find myself in unfamiliar territory. To get my work seen again, in a world where I am as unknown now as any newbie, I splurged on entering contests—an experiment if you will. The upshot was, with regard to earning a living, or even just self-approbation: it’s not even close to the value of cultivating personal relationships with the gatekeepers who now hide behind a curtain of contests.

Because of my long absence, I have a clearer picture of how radically this change has affected photographers. Unlike the proverbial frog, I didn’t get imperceptibly boiled—I jumped back in the pot and found it immediately scalding.

The most seismic change I see? So-called “content,” dominated by politically relevant images, tinged with poignant social justice issues, too often outweighs the intellectual rigor and technical skill that clarify any given photographer’s vision. A distinctive voice—evident across a broad range of subjects—is no longer enough. Work must now conform to a project, a theme, a narrative arc that can be easily pitched and parsed on an Instagram feed—or a contest. And photographers are now obliged to enter them all, hoping that someone who can hire them, if not the judges themselves, will see their pictures. It’s part of a pay-to-play protocol that is distasteful to me in a world where getting a magazine assignment is like finding a payphone that still works, and “photobooks” rule the day. Good luck making a living at that!

Third Place Winner: 'Wet Plate Collodion Portraits' © Paul Adams


The lack of a straightforward path to publication, online or in print, editorial or commercial, let alone to print sales and books, plus the demise of a once-prevalent system of photo agencies (thanks to the rank ignorance of Getty Images and the erstwhile Corbis about the pecuniary value of photography), has engendered not only a prevailing culture of contests but a greater proliferation of photographers who enter them. But don’t get me wrong; I’m seeing more and better work than ever before. Yet when an even bigger firehose of mediocrity dilutes that stream of talent, photography is celebrated less for its quality than its subject matter, and ill-defined borderlines between genres diffuse the power of creativity.

Specifically, the conflation of portraiture with both documentary photography (which proselytizes a specific agenda) and photojournalism (which bears witness to unfolding events) are the most egregious examples of this homogenization of genres. The advocacy of political, societal, and moral issues has begun to eclipse the importance of photographic craft and the expressive ethos of portraiture itself. Mixing apples, oranges, and bananas may make a tasty smoothie, but you'll miss the individual textures and flavors of each individual fruit.

This is not a call to reject work with social or political substance—far from it. It’s a call to restore balance: to reaffirm the value of formal rigor, genre clarity, and the vision that defines great photography in every category. We urgently need to resist a flattening of standards—where “portrait” becomes a catchall for any image with a face, and reject initiatives that value form over substance, content over quality. We can do that and still make room for eclectic, rigorous, and idiosyncratic bodies of work without contradicting the inherent differences between photographic genres when they're forced to compete indiscriminately with each other in the same arena.

Thank you for the space to share these thoughts. I hope this letter contributes to a larger, necessary conversation—one that challenges, yes, but also clarifies what we mean when we say something is portraiture.

Respectfully,
Tom Zimberoff

More information about Tom Zimberoff here
Principles of Portraiture on Camera by Tom Zimberoff

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

All About Photo Presents 'Street Photography At The End Of The 80s' by Henk Kosche

Step into East Germany before the Wall fell.

Rediscovered after nearly 40 years, Henk Kosche’s haunting black-and-white photos capture the soul of Halle an der Saale in the late 1980s. A rare glimpse into a city—and a way of life—on the brink of disappearance.

Discover the Solo Exhibition here
Discover the Solo Exhibition here

Thursday, June 19, 2025

Final Call to Win a Solo Exhibition in July 2025

DEADLINE JUNE 20, 2025

Maximize Your Exposure: Enter the Solo Exhibition Competition for a Month-Long Online Showcase

At All About Photo, we celebrate extraordinary photography that inspires, transforms, and connects with us on a deeper level.

WHY ENTER THE SOLO EXHIBITION?

Global Reach: The Solo Exhibition allows you to showcase your work to a wide audience through one of the most dynamic photography portals on the web.

Open to All Genres: Whether you're into photojournalism, street photography, fine art, landscapes, or portraiture—this competition welcomes all categories and subjects. Unleash your creativity!

For All Photographers: Open to both professional photographers and enthusiasts alike. Submit a cohesive body of work or portfolio that reflects your unique vision.

EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS:

Featured Solo Exhibition: Your work will be showcased for a full month across our Home Page, Competition Gallery and Photography Exhibition Directory.

Exclusive Interview: In-depth insights and unique exposure

Permanent Online Presence: Your Solo Exhibition will be permanently accessible on All About Photo Showroom + A dedicated portfolio page showcasing 20 images in our Photographers Directory

Social Media Exposure: Reach a global audience through our Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter accounts.

A Special Edition Newsletter exclusively dedicated to announcing your Solo Exhibition.

International Press Coverage: Get featured in major media outlets with guaranteed publications on Bored Panda, Visura and Photophiles Magazine.

Sell Your Work, Commission-Free: Sell directly to buyers with no commission fees—maximize your earnings!

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
Open Theme
Submit 6 to 14 images for a flat fee of $45.
Only cohesive projects or portfolios will be published as a Solo Exhibition.

Why Wait? Submit Today! Seize the opportunity to gain international visibility, connect with industry experts, and elevate your photography career. Enter the Solo Exhibition competition now!

MORE INFORMATION HERE

Fotomuseum in Maastricht presents Italian photographer Franco Zecchin

© Franco Zecchin - Brotherhood of Holy Crucifix. Palermo 1988


27 September 2025 – 25 January 2026

Fotomuseum aan het Vrijthof in Maastricht, the Netherlands, presents an exhibition by Italian social documentary photographer Franco Zecchin from 27 September 2025 until 25 January 2026. The exhibition Life in Sicily features fifty iconic black-and-white photographs taken on the Italian island between 1975 and 1994. During this turbulent period, Sicily faced large-scale mafia violence, political corruption, and social inequality.

In 1975, Franco Zecchin moved to Palermo and began his career as a photojournalist for the daily newspaper L’Ora, paying particular attention to the influential mafia organization Cosa Nostra. The engaged photographer captured assassinations, funerals, protests, and the everyday reality of people trying to live in the shadow of this threat. Zecchin’s images reflect an island in crisis and the resilience of its inhabitants.

The photographer is considered one of the most important visual chroniclers of Sicily’s bloody mafia era. The exhibition offers a penetrating view of the struggle between organized crime, civil society, and government. The images also show the complexity of a society where violence and beauty often coexist uneasily. In 2019, a selection from this extensive photo series is bundled in the book Continente Sicilia.

Franco Zecchin (Milan, 1953) worked intensively with his partner, photographer, and anti-mafia activist Letizia Battaglia. From 1988 to 1991, he was an associate member of the Magnum Photos agency. The photographer explored themes of nomadism and religious feasts in the 1990s. Besides exhibitions in Europe and the United States, his internationally acclaimed work is included in the collections of the Maison Européenne de la Photographie (MEP) in Paris and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. Since 2006, Zecchin has been living and teaching in Marseille.

More information here

© Franco Zecchin - The 'Lapa', a popular and family car. Palermo 1980

© Franco Zecchin - Benedetto Grado's wife and daughters at the scene of his murder. The family was already mourning the son Antonio's murder. Palermo 1983


More information here

Saturday, June 7, 2025

London: BLACK PANTHERS & REVOLUTION: STEPHEN SHAMES

Amar Gallery, 12-14 Witfield Street, London, W1T 2RF
29 May - 10 August 2025

Amar Gallery is proud to announce Black Panthers & Revolution: Stephen Shames, the first London gallery show for Stephen Shames, photographer of the Black Panther Party, whose archive of Panther images is the largest in the world.

For the first time in London, Shames’ powerful civil rights images of Martin Luther King Jr, Bobby Seale, Huey Newton, Maya Angelou and Angela Davis, amongst others, will be on view at Amar Gallery.

At a time when racism is on the rise, Amar Gallery hopes this exhibition serves as a reminder that equality has been a struggle for millions often suppressed due to race, gender, or sexuality. Black Panther founder Bobby Seale, who co-authored a book with Shames, said of the tribulations the Black Panthers faced: “They came down on us because we had grassroots, real people’s revolution, complete with the program, complete with the unity, complete with the working coalitions, where we crossed racial lines.” The people’s revolution, programmes and working coalitions were documented by Shames for years, protecting the legacy, history and spirit of the equal rights movement.

Stephen Shames and The Black Panthers:
In 1966, as the largely nonviolent Civil Rights movement swept through America, Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale founded the legendary Black Panther Party in Oakland, California. The party burst onto the scene with a bold vision for social change and the empowerment of African Americans. During the height of the movement, from 1967 to 1973, photographer Stephen Shames, who was a student at the University of California, Berkeley, had unprecedented access to the organization.

Shames captured not only its public face—street demonstrations, protests and militant armed posturing—but also, life behind the scenes, from private Party meetings to Bobby Seale at work on his Oakland mayoral campaign.

About the Photographer:
Stephen Shames’ images are in the permanent collections of over 40 international museums and collections, including: the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; Museum of Modern Art, New York; Museum of Fine Arts Boston; International Center of Photography, New York; National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C.; Dolph Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas, Austin, Texas; Museum of Photographic Arts, San Diego; University of California's Bancroft Library, Berkeley; San Jose Museum of Art; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco; the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York; and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington, D.C.

About Amar Gallery:
Amar Gallery was opened in Islington, London January 2017 to show world-class post-war and contemporary art. Amar Gallery is managed by director Amar Singh who started dealing art in 2010. He is a patron of the Tate & India’s anti-trafficking organisation Shakti Vahini and India’s organisation We Power which provides dignified employment opportunities for women survivors of human trafficking. The gallery also runs a programme of donating artworks by artists of colour, women and LGBT+ to museums worldwide: https://www.amargallery.com/donations - over $4 million worth of art by such overlooked artists has been donated to date - www.amargallery.com

Monday, June 2, 2025

New Call: AAP Magazine 49 B&W

All About Photo launches the new edition of AAP Magazine B&W.

Black and white photography evokes poetry, nostalgia. The timelessness of black and white images focuses on its subjects, highlights contrasts, lines and enhances the power of light.

The contest is open to any B&W photography interpretation, from photojournalism, street photography, artistic photography, portrait, nude, landscapes, nature, wildlife, urban, architecture, fashion, fine art or documentary photography.

Winners will receive $1,000 in cash awards, their winning image(s) or full portfolio published in AAP Magazine Vol.49, extensive press coverage and global recognition.

All winners will have their work published in the third printed issue of AAP Magazine, a free copy of the magazine and their portfolio showcased in the Winners Gallery of www.all-about-photo.com.

Please send us a cohesive body of work or portfolio. Only a unified group of photos will be published in AAP Magazine.
More information here
1st Place winner
Cash Prize: $500 (US Dollars).
Exclusive interview and winning image(s) or portfolio published in AAP Magazine, Volume 49: B&W
One free copy of AAP Magazine that will be for sale and distributed on Blurb.com
Winning work showcased on the online Winners Gallery of All About Photo

2nd Place Winner
Cash Prize: $300 (US Dollars).
Winning image(s) or portfolio in AAP Magazine, Volume 49: B&W
One free copy of AAP Magazine that will be for sale and distributed on Blurb.com
Winning work showcased on the online Winners Gallery of All About Photo

3rd Place Winner
Cash Prize: $200 (US Dollars).
Winning image(s) or portfolio published in AAP Magazine, Volume 49: B&W
One free copy of AAP Magazine that will be for sale and distributed on Blurb.com
Winning work showcased on the online Winners Gallery of All About Photo

Particular Merit Mention
The next twenty winners (ranked from 4 to 20) will have their best image(s) or portfolio published in AAP Magazine Vol. 49.

More information here
More information here

All About Photo Awards 2025: WINNING IMAGES

Saturday, April 19, 2025

New Call: AAP Magazine 48 Portrait

AAP Magazine #48 "Portrait" invites photographers to explore humanity in each of us. From the classic studio portraits to the rise of the selfie, the best portraits give a glimpse into somebody's soul, a connection formed across countries, cultures and ages.

We seek the submission of photographs that celebrate the aesthetic and conceptual considerations involved in the creation of the portrait: celebrate diversity, creativity, honesty and self-expression. Studio portraits, candid street shots, self-portraits, conceptual and fine art all welcome. With 7.57 billion people to choose from around the world, show us the ones that matter to you.

All genres, capture types, color and B&W, traditional and non-traditional photographic and digital post-production processes are welcome for submission.

Applications will be assessed on three criteria: creativity, originality and the visual / emotional impact of the image. The winners will be announced on All About Photo and social media.

Please send us a cohesive body of work or portfolio. Only a unified group of photos will be published in AAP Magazine.

Winners will receive $1,000 in cash awards, their winning image(s) or full portfolio published in AAP Magazine #48, extensive press coverage and global recognition.

All winners will have their work published in the 40th printed issue of AAP Magazine, a free copy of the magazine and their portfolio showcased in the Winners Gallery of www.all-about-photo.com.

More information
1st Place winner
Cash Prize: $500 (US Dollars).
Exclusive interview and winning image(s) or portfolio published in AAP Magazine, Volume 48: PORTRAIT
One free copy of AAP Magazine that will be for sale and distributed on Blurb.com
Winning work showcased on the online Winners Gallery of All About Photo

2nd Place Winner
Cash Prize: $300 (US Dollars).
Winning image(s) or portfolio in AAP Magazine, Volume 48: PORTRAIT
One free copy of AAP Magazine that will be for sale and distributed on Blurb.com
Winning work showcased on the online Winners Gallery of All About Photo

3rd Place Winner
Cash Prize: $200 (US Dollars).
Winning image(s) or portfolio published in AAP Magazine, Volume 48: PORTRAIT
One free copy of AAP Magazine that will be for sale and distributed on Blurb.com
Winning work showcased on the online Winners Gallery of All About Photo

Particular Merit Mention
The next seventeenth winners (ranked from 4 to 20) will have their best image(s) or portfolio published in AAP Magazine Volume 48: Portrait
They will receive one free copy of the magazine that will be for sale and distributed on Blurb.com and their portfolio showcased in the Winners Gallery of www.all-about-photo.com
More information
More information

Saturday, February 15, 2025

NEW CALL: AAP Magazine 46 Women

International Women Photography Contest: Celebrating Women’s Strength & Beauty

Early Bird savings end February 27, 2025

Since the birth of photography, women have been both muses and creators, shaping the visual storytelling landscape. From documentary photography to fine art, women have used the camera as a powerful tool for self-expression and to capture the world around them. Now, AAP Magazine invites photographers from around the globe to participate in its 46th edition, dedicated entirely to celebrating women.

This prestigious international photography competition is open to all artists, whether amateur or professional, who wish to highlight the essence, strength, beauty, resilience, and impact of women. The theme is completely open—your work can span genres such as fashion, portrait, documentary, sports, fine art, or commercial photography. Whether you shoot in digital, film, or monochrome, all techniques and styles are welcome.

Why Enter AAP Magazine #46: Women?

Participating in AAP Magazine’s competition provides photographers with an exceptional platform for global exposure. Winners will receive a total of $1,000 in cash prizes, extensive press coverage, and the opportunity to have their work published in a renowned international photography magazine.

1st Place Winner will receive $500, an exclusive interview, and their winning image(s) or portfolio published in AAP Magazine #46: Women. They will also receive a free copy of the magazine and have their work showcased in the online Winners Gallery of All About Photo.

2nd Place Winner will be awarded $300 and receive the same prestigious publication opportunities.

3rd Place Winner will receive $200, along with a feature in AAP Magazine #46: Women and a free copy of the magazine.

Honorable Mentions: The next 22 winners (ranked 4th to 25th) will also have their work published in this special edition.

More information here

Saturday, January 25, 2025

Win a Solo Exhibition In March 2025

We want to showcase incredible work. Photography that awakens our imagination, transforms our way of thinking, or simply resonates with who we are.

The Solo Exhibition enables you to reach a wider audience through our independent magazine that has become one of the most vibrant portals of photography on the web.

The Solo Exhibition competition is open to any category of photography or subject matter. Photojournalism, street photography, artistic photography, portrait, nudes, landscapes, nature, wildlife, urban, architecture, fashion, fine art, or documentary photography, the subject doesn't matter, unleash your creativity!

Whether you are a professional photographer or a photography enthusiast, please send us a cohesive body of work or portfolio.
Only a unified group of photos will be published as a solo exhibition.
Make your online photo gallery stand out. Submit one project or a body of work that showcases unity.
You can submit between 6 and 16 images for a flat fee of $45!

The Solo Exhibition is an amazing promotional tool designed to showcase your work worldwide!
Why should you enter the Solo Exhibition Competition? Because you will receive the following benefits:

Featured Solo Online Exhibition from March 1- March 31, 2025
Your Solo Exhibition will be featured in our Competition Gallery and in the New Showroom pages, the Home Page, our 'Top Stories', as well as in our 'Featured Photographer', 'Photo Exhibitions' and 'Article' pages.

Sell your work online with no commission fees!
Want to sell your work? No problem! In today's economy, almost 50% of sales come online! Don't miss this opportunity and skip the middleman, All About Photo won't charge any commissions if you make a sale. We will just put you directly in contact with the buyer.

Permanent Exhibition on All About Photo Online Gallery
Your solo exhibition will be permanently accessible in our past exhibitions as well as in our Article directory. You will also have a permanent page showcasing 20 images of your work in our Photographers Directory.

Your work Showcased to our Social Media Community
Gain International Visibility and Press Coverage by publishing your work across all of our online channels.
The winning photographer will be profiled via our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts.
The Solo Exhibition will also be featured in our Newsletter!

International Visibility and Press exposure
The winning photographer will receive press coverage from publications and media outlets around the world. Past winners from All About Photo Competitions have been featured in major publications including The Times UK, National Geographic Espana, The Sun, The Daily Mail, The Eye of Photography, Digital Camera, and Competences Photo.
The Solo Exhibition will also be promoted on Art.Base.Co, Private Photo Review, and Visura.

All About Photo connects you directly with industry experts from around the world.
Seek this new opportunity to reach a broader audience on a global scale!

More information here

Friday, January 24, 2025

Win $5,000 Cash Prizes! Enter All About Photo Awards 2025

More information here

Our 10th edition of the All About Photo Awards invites photographers from around the world to submit their best work for consideration. In reference to Henri Cartier-Bresson's photo essay, The Mind's Eye investigates the depth and thoughts behind each image.

"To take photographs means to recognize - simultaneously and within a fraction of a second - both the fact itself and the rigorous organization of visually perceived forms that give it meaning. It is putting one's head, one's eye and one's heart on the same axis".
Henri Cartier-Bresson

Embark on a transformative journey with us as we celebrate the 10th edition of the All About Photo Awards - The Mind's Eye! Over the years, we've propelled hundreds of talented photographers into the spotlight, providing a global stage for their incredible work and dishing out a staggering $105,000 in awards.

Why submit your masterpiece? Our esteemed panel of international jurors reads like a who's who of photography legends, featuring luminaries such as like Frank Horvat, Sabine Weiss, Ed Kashi, Ami Vitale, Keiichi Tahara, Aline Smithson, Liu Bolin, John Rankin, Henry Horenstein, Laurent Baheux, Denis Dailleux, Alison Wright, Stefano De Luigi, Stephan Vanfleteren, Claudine Doury, Hiroshi Watanabe, Ian Berry, Manfred Baumann, Lisa Kristine, Harvey Stein, Baldwin Lee and many more! Their discerning eyes, coupled with the expertise of gallery directors, editors, and writers, ensure your work gets the attention it deserves.

Ready to make your mark in the world of photography? Submit your best shots now and join the ranks of those who've experienced the unparalleled thrill of international recognition and a chance to claim a share of the impressive prize pool!

Don't miss out on this golden opportunity! Seize the moment, let your creativity shine, and become the next All About Photo Awards sensation!

Winners will receive $5,000 in cash awards, extensive press coverage and global recognition.
The grand prize is $2,500, the 2nd prize is $1,000, the 3rd prize is $750, the 4th prize is $500, and the 5th prize is $250!

All winners will have their work published or showcased in the All About Photo Winners Gallery, newsletter, social media, and will be featured in the printed issue of AAP Magazine "Special Edition All About Photo Awards 2025".
In addition, a selection of entrants of particular merit will be invited to display their portfolio on the website www.all-about-photo.com .

Jury Panel

Janet Delaney: Photographer
Sarah Gilbert: Features Photo Editor The Guardian
Ann Jastrab: Executive Director, Center for Photographic Art, Carmel, CA.
Tatsuo Suzuki: Photographer
Karl Taylor: Photographer & Filmmaker, Hasselblad and Broncolor Ambassador
Sandrine Hermand-Grisel: Photographer, Founder & Editor of All About Photo

More information here