Discover the Winners of AAP Magazine 57 Portrait

Portrait photography is far more than a mere physical record of a face. It is a profound artistic genre operating at the crossroads of technical mastery and raw human sensibility. While early portraiture in 1839 mimicked the stiff aesthetics of classical paintings for the upper class, modern portrait photography has evolved into a dynamic celebration of the subject. A truly great portrait captures a privileged, fleeting moment where alchemy happens, allowing the photographer to peer beneath the surface and capture the very personality of the subject.

In this newest edition of AAP Magazine, the selected winners beautifully showcase innovative, contemporary approaches to portraiture alongside striking, timeless traditional work. From intimate studio sessions to sensitive documentary approaches that capture fleeting raw emotions, these images go beyond the ordinary to express the full scope of photographic creativity. A powerful portrait can elicit a vast spectrum of responses—it can describe, reveal, embellish, question, or deeply unsettle.

While a portrait may have a thousand faces, we could only display a select few. We are absolutely delighted to reveal the 25 talented photographers from 12 different countries and four continents who won AAP Magazine #57: Portrait. Each artist shares a deeply personal narrative, reflecting a unique aesthetic and a distinct approach to the human form.

Discover the extraordinary global galleries and meet the visionaries shaping the future of portrait photography today.

The Winner is Kevin Smith (United States) with the series 'Characters, New York'

The Second Place Winner is Ian McFarlane (United States) with the series 'Of The South'

The Third Place Winner is Emily Neville Fisher (United States) with the series 'Natural Tendencies'

Discover all the winners here

New International Photo Contest Open to All: AAP Magazine 59 Shapes

MORE INFORMATION HERE

Our 59th printed issue of AAP Magazine will feature the best projects showcasing the theme "Shapes". A shape is the form of an object or its external boundary, outline, or external surface. Look around you, observe all the points, lines, patterns or silhouettes that surround us. Square or circle, triangle or hexagon, rectangle or oval, the choice is yours!

Reveal us the elements that abstract into light, texture, shape and shadow!

The rhythm of surfaces, lines, and values is for me the essence of photography; composition should be a constant of preoccupation... an organic coordination of visual elements Henri Cartier-Bresson

Send us your images - series preferably- both where shapes may not just influence the pictures, but where it may also be the subject solely. Whether in architecture, portrait, landscape, nude, street or any other form of photography - classic or experimental: we're open to all genres and we want to discover the best and most interesting photography from all over the world.

Winners will receive $1,000 in cash awards, their winning image(s) or full portfolio published in AAP Magazine #59, extensive press coverage and global recognition.

All winners will have their work published in the fourth 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 HERE

st Place winner
Cash Prize: $500 (US Dollars).
Exclusive interview and winning image(s) or portfolio published in AAP Magazine, Volume 59: Shapes
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 59: Shapes
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 59: Shapes
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 22 winners (ranked from 4 to 25) will have their best image(s) or portfolio published in AAP Magazine Vol.59.

MORE INFORMATION HERE

All About Photo Presents 'Fading Shehuo' by Chris Yan

Discover the solo exhibition here All About Photo is pleased to present Fading Shehuo, a compelling photographic project by Chris Yan, featured in our latest online solo exhibition. Shehuo is a traditional folk celebration associated with the Chinese Spring Festival. Rooted in ancient rituals honoring the land and fire, it has evolved over thousands of years into a vital expression of China's agricultural heritage. More than a festive performance marking the Lunar New Year, Shehuo embodies collective memory, strengthens community bonds, and preserves the cultural identity of rural villages across Northwest China.

Today, however, this centuries-old tradition faces an uncertain future. Rapid urbanization has led many young people to leave their hometowns in search of opportunities in the cities, leaving behind aging communities and shrinking rural populations. As younger generations become increasingly disconnected from village life, the cultural significance of Shehuo risks being forgotten. The demanding skills required to perform and sustain the tradition require years of dedication, yet offer little financial reward, making it difficult to attract new practitioners.

Through Fading Shehuo, Chris Yan documents a tradition standing at a crossroads. His photographs capture not only the vibrant costumes, rituals, and performances that define the celebration, but also the resilience of the communities determined to keep it alive. Despite the challenges, Shehuo continues to be performed each Spring Festival, drawing villagers together in a shared expression of hope, remembrance, and cultural pride.

Combining elements of documentary and street photography, Yan's work offers a powerful visual record of a living tradition confronting the pressures of a rapidly changing world. His images serve as both a celebration of cultural heritage and a poignant reflection on what may be lost if these customs are allowed to disappear.

Discover the solo exhibition here

Publish your work in our printed magazine Black and White and win $1,000 cash prizes

More information here Our 58th printed issue of AAP Magazine will feature the best projects showcasing the theme "Black and White".

EBlack and white photography evokes timeless poetry, nostalgia, and emotional depth. By removing color, monochrome photography emphasizes contrast, composition, texture, light, and form, revealing the pure essence of the subject. This enduring photographic style continues to inspire photographers across genres and generations.

This black and white photography contest is open to all interpretations of monochrome photography, including but not limited to photojournalism, street photography, documentary photography, portraiture, nude photography, landscape photography, wildlife, urban photography, architecture, fashion photography, and fine art photography.

Applicants are invited to submit a cohesive body of work or photographic portfolio, consisting of at least 3 images that clearly belong together as a unified series or project (connected by subject, style, or idea); submissions are expected to be presented as a series rather than single images, and any images previously published in AAP Magazine are not eligible for submission.

Winners will receive $1,000 in cash prizes, along with publication of their winning image(s) or full portfolio in AAP Magazine Vol. 58, international press coverage, and global exposure within the photography community.

1st Place winner
Cash Prize: $500 (US Dollars).
Exclusive interview and winning image(s) or portfolio published in AAP Magazine, Volume 58: 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 Volume 58: 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 Volume 58: 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 seventeenth winners (ranked from 4 to 20) will have their best image(s) or portfolio published in AAP Magazine Vol.58.

More information here

Discover the Winners of AAP Magazine 56 Shadows

AAP Magazine is pleased to announce the 25 winners of AAP Magazine #56: Shadows, an international photography competition celebrating the creative power of light and shadow.

Photography has always been defined by light—its ability to reveal, shape, and transform what we see. Yet shadows are just as essential to the language of the medium. They add depth, mystery, rhythm, and emotion, turning ordinary scenes into compelling visual stories.

With its 56th edition, AAP Magazine invited photographers from around the world to explore the creative power of shadows and their ability to shape narrative, atmosphere, and composition. The goal was to celebrate images where shadows are not simply present, but essential—where they become a force of expression in their own right.

The 25 selected photographers—coming from 11 different countries across 4 continents—offer a remarkable diversity of interpretations. From bold graphic contrasts to subtle, poetic atmospheres, their work reveals how shadows can conceal, reveal, suggest, and transform. Spanning fine art, street photography, documentary, and minimalist approaches, the selected images demonstrate the many ways photographers use darkness to illuminate meaning.

Together, these works create a rich visual dialogue and remind us that shadows are far more than the absence of light—they are an essential part of how we experience photography.

Selecting the winners was no easy task, and we thank all photographers who shared their vision with us. The following 25 winning photographers each bring a unique perspective to this exploration of shadows in contemporary photography.

The Winner is Derry Ainsworth (United Kingdom) with the series 'Highs & Lows'

The Second Place Winner is Federico Borobio (Argentina) with the series 'Chronicles of Earthquake Street and Other Magical Alleys'

The Third Place Winner is Bernice Williams (United States) with the series 'Shadow Catching'

The other winners featured in the Merit Award's Gallery are:

Costas Delhas (Greece), Tom Zimberoff (United States), Jozef Macak (Slovakia), Manuel Besse (France), Matthew Garbutt (United Kingdom), Marika Poquet (France), Tommi Viitala (Finland), Rémy Pinaton (France), Giacomo Sannipoli (Italy), Alfredo Diano (Italy), Jens Hoffmann (Germany), Klaus Lenzen (Germany), Colin Page (United Kingdom), Hendrik Wolf (Germany), Ave Pildas (United States), Demetrio Jereissati (Brazil), Margo Ryan (United Kingdom), Wendy Stone (United States), Mary Kay Kirsner (United States), Ludovic Vievard (France), Sarah and Lucy Jenkins (Australia), Rupert Chambers (United States). Discover all the 25 winners here