AAP Magazine #58: Discover the 25 Winning Black & White Photographers

Black and white photography has an extraordinary ability to distill a scene to its essence. Without the distraction of color, light, shadow, texture, shape, and emotion take center stage, inviting us to experience the world with renewed attention. Timeless yet constantly evolving, monochrome photography remains one of the most expressive visual languages, embraced by photographers working across every genre.

We are delighted to present the 25 winning photographers of AAP Magazine #58: B&W, selected from an exceptional international pool of submissions. Representing 12 countries across 3 continents, these photographers each bring a distinct vision to black and white photography, demonstrating its remarkable versatility and enduring relevance.

The winning portfolios span an impressive range of subjects—from intimate family stories and compelling documentary work to evocative landscapes, portraits, architecture, and quiet moments of everyday life. Some images are bold and graphic, others subtle and contemplative, but all share a thoughtful approach to storytelling through light, composition, and atmosphere.

What stood out throughout the judging process was not a single style or technique, but the diversity of perspectives. Each photographer uses black and white differently, proving that monochrome is far more than the absence of color. It is a deliberate creative choice that strips away distractions and reveals what truly matters.

First Prize was awarded to Anastasia Pagonas (United States) for her image Francis.

Second Prize went to Eric Kunsman (United States) for his series Life-Lines Throughout the United States.

Third Prize was awarded to Tzion Essel (United Kingdom) for his series Of Birds and Being.

The remaining winners are Dev Kumar (Malaysia), Jaeseok Lim (South Korea), Michael Trueblood (United States), Isabelle Kettner (Netherlands), Antonio Denti (Italy), Kathryn Audet (Canada), Lera Zilbershtein (Russia), Tommy Jiang (China), Thibault Gerbaldi (France/United States), Paul Adams (United States), Troy Colby (United States), Paul Gibert (United States/Spain), Lena Sokolova (Russia), Eric Renard (United States), Kelly O'Leary (United States), Rikk Dunlap (United States), John Gubertini (Italy), Max Chu (China), Brice Weaver (United States), Jim Lustenader (United States), Ylva Sjögren (Sweden), and Richard Evnen (United States).

Congratulations to all the winners for their exceptional work and for reminding us that, in black and white photography, what is left out is often just as meaningful as what remains.

Submit your work to AAP Magazine 60 Nature!

Nature Unveiled: Capturing the Splendor of Landscapes, Wildlife, Flora & Fauna

Our 60th printed issue of AAP Magazine will feature the best projects showcasing the theme "Nature".

Nature photography is a captivating and diverse genre that focuses on capturing the beauty and essence of the natural world. It encompasses various aspects such as landscape photography, wildlife photography, as well as flora and fauna, each offering its own unique charm and opportunities for exploration.

Landscape photography reveals the grandeur and vastness of our planet—from breathtaking mountains and rolling hills to serene lakes, cascading waterfalls, and dramatic coastlines. It can also include abandoned, man-made structures reclaimed by nature, where vegetation takes over what humans left behind.

Wildlife photography is another prominent aspect of nature photography. It involves photographing animals in their natural habitats, capturing their behavior, movements, and interactions. Wildlife photographers often venture into diverse ecosystems—from lush rainforests to arid deserts—to document the incredible diversity of species across the globe.

Flora and fauna photography delves into the intricate beauty of plants, flowers, and other living organisms. It seeks to capture the details, colors, and textures of vegetation, showcasing the diversity and delicacy of the plant kingdom.

In all its forms, nature photography conveys the harmony, diversity, and fragility of the natural world. It evokes wonder, appreciation, and connection with nature, encouraging viewers to respect and protect the environment. Through their images, nature photographers inspire conservation and raise awareness about preserving our planet for future generations.

Please send us a cohesive body of work or portfolio. Only a unified group of photographs will be published in AAP Magazine. Images previously published in AAP Magazine cannot be submitted again.

Winners will receive $1,000 in cash awards, publication of their winning image(s) or full portfolio in AAP Magazine Vol. 60, extensive press coverage, and worldwide recognition.

All winners will have their work published in the 60th printed issue of AAP Magazine, receive a complimentary copy of the magazine, and have their portfolio showcased in the Winners Gallery of All About Photo.

Applications will be judged on three criteria: creativity, originality, and the visual and emotional impact of the images. Winners will be announced on All About Photo and across our social media channels.

Prizes

1st Place Winner

• Cash Prize: $500 (USD)
• Exclusive interview and winning image(s) or portfolio published in AAP Magazine, Volume 60: Nature.
• One complimentary copy of AAP Magazine, distributed worldwide through Blurb.
• Winning work showcased in the online Winners Gallery on All About Photo.

2nd Place Winner

• Cash Prize: $300 (USD)
• Winning image(s) or portfolio published in AAP Magazine, Volume 60: Nature.
• One complimentary copy of AAP Magazine, distributed worldwide through Blurb.
• Winning work showcased in the online Winners Gallery on All About Photo.

3rd Place Winner

• Cash Prize: $200 (USD)
• Winning image(s) or portfolio published in AAP Magazine, Volume 60: Nature.
• One complimentary copy of AAP Magazine, distributed worldwide through Blurb.
• Winning work showcased in the online Winners Gallery on All About Photo.

Particular Merit Mention

The next 22 winners (ranked from 4th to 25th) will have their best image(s) or portfolio published in AAP Magazine Vol. 60.

ENTER NOW HERE

All About Photo Presents 'Where the Earth Remembers' by Oliver Klink

Discover the full exhibition here

A Photographic Journey Through Rural Europe

As modernization continues to reshape the European countryside, many centuries-old traditions and ways of life are quietly disappearing. In Where the Earth Remembers, photographer Oliver Klink documents communities across Central and Eastern Europe where the connection between people, faith, memory, and the land remains deeply rooted.

This compelling documentary photography project goes beyond picturesque landscapes. Instead, Klink captures the quiet dignity of everyday life, revealing how agricultural work, religious rituals, and family traditions continue to define communities living in close harmony with nature. His images of weathered homes, worn hands, and sacred spaces speak to generations whose stories are embedded in the land itself.

Raised on a farm in Switzerland, Klink approached the project with a personal understanding of rural life. That shared experience helped him build meaningful relationships with the people he photographed, allowing him to work with patience, empathy, and respect. Rather than observing from a distance, he creates portraits that feel intimate and authentic, reflecting trust between photographer and subject.

Throughout the series, faith is not presented as ceremony alone but as an essential part of everyday existence. It is present in work, family life, hardship, and celebration, providing continuity in communities where traditions have endured for generations despite the pressures of a rapidly changing world.

Where the Earth Remembers is ultimately a meditation on cultural heritage, belonging, and resilience. It reminds us that memory is preserved not only through monuments and written history but also through landscapes, rituals, and the daily lives of ordinary people. Klink's photographs invite viewers to reflect on what is being lost as rural communities evolve—and on the enduring human values that continue to connect people to the places they call home.

Blending documentary photography with visual storytelling, Oliver Klink has created a timeless body of work that honors the resilience of Europe's rural communities while preserving their stories for future generations.

Discover the full exhibition here

Maximize Your Photography Exposure with an International Solo Exhibition in August

ENTER THE SOLO EXHIBITION

Every photographer dreams of having their work seen by a wider audience. Whether you're an emerging artist looking for your first major feature or an established professional ready to present a new body of work, a solo exhibition remains one of the most powerful ways to build recognition and connect with collectors, editors, curators, and photography enthusiasts around the world.

That's exactly what the All About Photo Solo Exhibition Competition was created to offer.

A Global Platform for Exceptional Photography

Photography has the power to tell stories, challenge perspectives, and create emotional connections that transcend borders. At All About Photo, we're committed to celebrating photographers whose work deserves international attention.

Unlike traditional competitions that reward a single image, the Solo Exhibition Competition is dedicated to complete photographic projects and cohesive portfolios. It gives photographers the opportunity to present their vision exactly as it was intended—through a carefully curated series of images.

Why Enter?

International Exposure

Your work will be featured for an entire month on one of the world's leading online photography platforms, reaching thousands of photographers, collectors, editors, publishers, and photography lovers from across the globe.

All Photography Genres Welcome

Whether your passion is:

• Street Photography
• Documentary Photography
• Fine Art Photography
• Portrait Photography
• Landscape Photography
• Wildlife Photography
• Architecture Photography
• Travel Photography
• Conceptual Photography
• Photojournalism

...or any other photographic style, your work is welcome.

Open to Photographers Worldwide

Professionals, emerging artists, and passionate enthusiasts are all encouraged to submit. What matters most is the strength and coherence of your photographic vision.

Exclusive Benefits for the Selected Photographer

The winning photographer receives an exceptional promotional package designed to provide lasting visibility:

• Featured Solo Exhibition for an entire month
• Prominent placement on the All About Photo Home Page
• Inclusion in the Competition Gallery and Exhibition Directory
• An exclusive interview introducing your artistic journey
• A permanent online exhibition that remains accessible indefinitely
• A dedicated portfolio page featuring up to 20 photographs
• Promotion across Instagram, Facebook, and X (Twitter)
• A dedicated newsletter sent to an international audience
• Guaranteed international media coverage through Bored Panda, Visura, and Photophiles Magazine
• Sell your work directly with 100% commission-free sales

Submission Guidelines

• Theme: Open
• Submit: 6–14 images
• Entry Fee: $45
• Only cohesive photographic projects or portfolios will be considered.

Why a Solo Exhibition Matters

In today's competitive photography world, visibility is everything.

A thoughtfully presented solo exhibition helps you:

• Build your professional portfolio
• Strengthen your artistic reputation
• Reach galleries, publishers, and curators
• Increase your online presence
• Gain valuable international recognition
• Connect with potential collectors

Unlike a single award-winning image, a complete exhibition demonstrates consistency, storytelling ability, and artistic depth.

Copyright Always Remains Yours

Photographers retain full copyright of their images at all times.

Submitted photographs are used solely in connection with the competition and the promotion of the awards and All About Photo. Images are never resold or licensed to third parties. Should another organization or publication express interest in your work, the request will be forwarded directly to you.

Take the Next Step

If you've been waiting for the right opportunity to present your photography to an international audience, this is your chance.

Your portfolio deserves more than a quick scroll on social media—it deserves its own exhibition.

Submit your work today and let your photography reach viewers around the world.

ENTER THE SOLO EXHIBITION

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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

All About Photo Presents 'Passing Through' by Olivia Vivanco

Passing Through is a new solo exhibition by Mexican photographer Olivia Vivanco that reflects on how to represent the migrant experience with care, dignity, and nuance. Rather than relying on images that expose, stigmatize, or reduce displacement to a single narrative, the project turns toward traces, objects, and spaces that hold the memory of those who passed through them.

Rooted in journeys across Mexico, the series moves through migratory routes, shelters, and transitional spaces where waiting, uncertainty, and movement shape daily life. Roads, refuges, abandoned belongings, dining halls, pathways, and railway tracks become quiet witnesses—fragments of presence that suggest the stories of migrants without revealing their identities directly.

At the heart of the project is an ethical approach to image-making. Passing Through resists criminalizing or stereotypical portrayals of migration, choosing instead to focus on resilience, solidarity, and hope. By shifting attention from the face to the trace, the work creates a visual language that is both restrained and deeply human.

The exhibition invites viewers to consider how photographs can bear witness without overexposing, and how absence itself can become a form of testimony. In doing so, Passing Through offers not only a portrait of migration, but also a meditation on memory, vulnerability, and the moral responsibility of representation.

Discover the full solo exhibition here

All About Photo Awards 2026: Winners Selected by Steve McCurry

Top Image: Window to the Past from the series 'Revolutionary Revelations' © Matt McClain, Photographer of the Year 2026

All About Photo is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 All About Photo Awards – The Mind’s Eye, marking the competition’s 11th anniversary with acclaimed photographer Steve McCurry serving as juror. This year’s selection features 45 winning images that reflect the beauty, complexity, and urgency of the world today.

Representing 15 countries across four continents, the winning photographs demonstrate the wide range of contemporary photography. Chosen by McCurry, the final selection brings together documentary, conceptual, and poetic approaches, offering a vivid portrait of the medium as it stands today. From the United States to Spain, India to Indonesia, and China to France, the images travel across borders while remaining grounded in place, memory, and lived experience.

A Broad View of Photography Today

The 2026 winners present a layered and expansive view of contemporary photography. The selected images span subjects and settings as diverse as Colonial Williamsburg, the borderlands of West Africa, the grasslands of Tibet, and the urban energy of Mumbai, Havana, and Beijing.

Each work adds to a larger narrative shaped by human presence, cultural memory, and visual storytelling. Some photographs address urgent realities, while others explore identity, ritual, history, and the quiet beauty of everyday life. Together, they show how photography continues to function as a universal language—one that can record, question, and transform the world around us.

Top Prize Winners

First Place goes to Matt McClain for Window to the Past, a quiet and cinematic reflection on time and history. Captured through a misted window in Colonial Williamsburg, the image blends past and present into a single contemplative frame.

Second Place is awarded to Brooke Shaden for Obscura, a conceptual self-portrait that examines identity in the digital age and blurs the boundary between authenticity and performance.

Third Place goes to France Leclerc for Celestial Ladies, a striking composition that balances form, ritual, and coincidence in a moment of stillness.

Fourth Place, by Javier Arcenillas, captures an intimate scene aboard a Tunisian train, where light, color, and composition reveal solitude within motion.

Fifth Place goes to Beamie Young for Bringing Home the Birds, a poetic black-and-white photograph set in Cuba that evokes childhood, freedom, and tradition.

Merit Award Gallery

The Merit Award Gallery extends the story even further. Among the honored works are photographs that confront labor conditions, climate fragility, and political unrest, alongside images that turn toward spirituality, tradition, and cultural continuity.

Other works embrace a more poetic sensibility, capturing fleeting moments such as a cyclist reflected in a drop of dew, a diver suspended among whales, or a beam of light illuminating a remote chapel. These images remind us that the extraordinary often exists within the everyday, waiting to be seen.

The full Merit Award winners are: Tittu Shaji Thomas (India), Wahyu Budiyanto (Indonesia), Buck Holzemer (USA), Max Chu (China), Thaddäus Biberauer (Austria), Florian Wurzinger (Austria), Khaichuin Sim (Malaysia), Jordi Cohen (Spain), Shrikanth Poojari (India), Gavin Libotte (UK/Australia), Chris Yan (China), Zhang Lintao (China), Thibault Gerbaldi (France/United States), Jiri Kostal (Czech Republic), Takeshi Yamamoto (Japan), Andrew Newey (United Kingdom), Md Tanveer Rohan (United States), Eric Seidner (United States), Marco Di Marco (Italy), Prescott Lassman (United States), Gabi Steiner (Austria), Tommi Viitala (Finland), Cesare Simioni (Italy), Asako Naruto (Japan), Kerry Faulkner (Australia), Archie Cludven (China), Fenqiang Liu (United States), Robert Lie (Indonesia), Hervé Boutrouille (France), Marie Kent (France), Seppo Tuomaala (Finland), and Tebani Slade (Australia).

Steve McCurry’s Selection

In choosing this year’s winners, Steve McCurry presents not a single visual style, but a broad and nuanced view of photographic practice. His selections highlight images that are immediate yet timeless, grounded in specific moments while resonating more universally.

The result is more than a competition outcome. It is a collective visual narrative of the world as seen through the eyes of today’s most compelling photographers.

Recognition and Reach

Open to photographers worldwide and across all genres, the All About Photo Awards – The Mind’s Eye continue to champion visual storytelling, emotional depth, and originality. The 2026 winners receive $5,000 in cash prizes, along with international exposure through AAP Magazine, online exhibitions, and global media distribution.

Founded in 2015, the competition has become a respected platform for emerging and established photographers alike. The annual award recognizes work that is not only visually compelling, but also socially, culturally, and environmentally resonant.

The title The Mind’s Eye is inspired by Henri Cartier-Bresson’s idea of the alignment of “one’s head, one’s eye, and one’s heart.” That philosophy remains central to the awards, underscoring an approach to photography where observation, emotion, and composition come together to create meaningful work.

Discover the 45 winning images here

Photo Contest: AAP Magazine 57 Portrait

MORE INFORMATION HERE

AAP Magazine#57 "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 #57, extensive press coverage and global recognition.

All winners will have their work published in the 57th 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.

Why enter All About Photo Competitions?

Elevate your career!
All it takes is one industry insider to change the course of your career. Share your work with our audience of editors, book publishers, gallery owners, festival directors, creative directors, curators, and online media publishers!

Permanent Exhibition on All About Photo online gallery
All About Photo is a leading platform in the photography industry showcasing the work of famous photographers as well as new talents. Don't miss the opportunity to be featured in our online gallery

International Press Exposure
Share your work with the world and catch the attention of diverse media outlets. We will promote each selected photographer on our website and on our social profiles.

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. Images that were previously published in AAP Magazine cannot be submitted again

MORE INFORMATION HERE

1st Place winner
Cash Prize: $500 (US Dollars).
Exclusive interview and winning image(s) or portfolio published in AAP Magazine, Volume 57: 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 57: 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 57: 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 25) will have their best image(s) or portfolio published in AAP Magazine Volume 57: 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 HERE

All About Photo Presents ' Alpine Hiatus: The Snow No Longer Tastes Like Snow' by Filippo Poli

All About Photo is proud to present Filippo Poli as the winner of the April 2026 Solo Exhibition with his project Alpine Hiatus: The Snow No Longer Tastes Like Snow. The series will be featured exclusively on All About Photo throughout April 2026.

In Alpine Hiatus, Italian photographer and architect Poli captures the Alps caught between memory and transformation. Returning decades after childhood winters in the Aosta Valley, he finds snowfields replaced by reservoirs, snow cannons, and infrastructure. By juxtaposing his family’s archival black-and-white photographs with contemporary color images, Poli explores the emotional and environmental erosion of a once-familiar landscape.

The project blends architectural precision with poetic restraint, documenting both loss and resilience. Alpine Hiatus is a meditation on climate change, memory, and the shifting bond between humans and landscape. Through this exhibition, All About Photo continues to highlight photographers whose work addresses urgent global themes through a personal lens, offering viewers a quiet yet powerful act of witness.

'Alpine Hiatus' is on view at the Showroom of All About Photo through April 2026.

Discover the exhibition 'Alpine Hiatus'

Discover the 25 winners of AAP Magazine 55 Women

The marginalization of women in the history of photography is rooted in a long-standing tendency to undervalue their creative voice. For decades, women were more often seen as muses or assistants, rather than as artists shaping their own vision. Early visual culture reinforced this imbalance, portraying women as passive figures, while limiting both their representation and their role behind the camera.

Yet throughout history, women have continuously challenged these boundaries—using photography to document, question, and redefine how the world is seen.

With its 55th edition, AAP Magazine celebrates the strength, resilience, and creative power of women through the work of 25 selected photographers. Among them, 17 women are joined by 8 men, representing 12 countries across 3 continents, whose diverse approaches form a compelling tribute to the theme.

From fine art to street photography, documentary to portraiture, the selected works offer a wide range of perspectives—some intimate and introspective, others outward-looking and socially engaged. Together, they create a rich and nuanced dialogue on how women are represented and empowered through photography today.

The Winner is Silvia Alesssi (Italy) with the series 'The Cut'

The Second Place Winner is Natalya Saprunova (France/Russia) with the series 'Boreal People'

The Third Place Winner is Angelika Kollin (Estonia) with the series ‘You Are My Mother’

The other winners featured in the Merit Award’s Gallery are: Somenath Mukhopadhyay (India), Ezio Gianni Murzi (Italy), Ron Cooper (United States), B Jane Levine (United States), Aline Smithson (United States), Donna Gordon (United States), Alain Schroeder (Belgium), Mandy Ross (UK), Justin Roque (France), Oscar González (Costa Rica), Leonie van der Helm (Netherlands), Sebastian Sardi (Sweden), Nina Nelson (United States), Valentina Sinis (Italy), Beth Stahn (United States), Jelisa Peterson (United States), Mary Dondero (United States), Oksana Zhila (Russia), Ingetje Tadros (Netherlands), Leonor Benito de la Lastra (Spain), Clark James Mishler (United States) and Cheryl Clegg (United States).

The top three winners will receive a prize of $1,000, and all winning photographs will be prominently featured in the All About Photo Winners Gallery and published in the printed issue of AAP Magazine #55: Women Discover all the winners here

New Call for Entries: Win a Solo Exhibition this May

More information here 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: Showcase your work to a wide international audience through one of the most dynamic photography platforms online.

Open to All Genres: Whether you work in photojournalism, street photography, fine art, landscape, or portraiture — all categories and subjects are welcome. Unleash your creativity.

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

EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS

• Featured Solo Exhibition — Presented for an entire month across our Home Page, Competition Gallery, and Exhibition Directory
• Exclusive Interview — Share your story and insights with a global audience
• Permanent Online Presence — Your exhibition remains accessible indefinitely + a dedicated portfolio page featuring up to 20 images
• Social Media Exposure — Promotion via Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter
• Dedicated Newsletter Announcement — A special edition sent to our international subscribers
• International Press Coverage — Guaranteed features on Bored Panda, Visura, and Photophiles Magazine
• Sell Your Work Commission-Free — Connect directly with collectors and keep 100% of your sales

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Open Theme
Submit 6–14 images
Flat fee: $45

Only cohesive projects or portfolios will be considered for a Solo Exhibition.

More information here

AAP Magazine 56 Shadows: A Global Photography Call for Entries Celebrating the Art of Light and Darkness

Unleash the Poetry of Shadows

Photography has always existed at the intersection of light and darkness. When light fades, shadows appear—stretching across surfaces, shaping forms, and revealing stories that might otherwise remain unseen. In photography, shadows are not merely the absence of light; they are a creative force capable of transforming the ordinary into something deeply evocative.

With its newest international call for entries, All About Photo invites photographers from around the world to explore this powerful visual language in AAP Magazine #56: SHADOWS. This upcoming edition will present a curated selection of compelling photographic projects dedicated to the artistic possibilities of shadow.

The Expressive Power of Shadows

Shadows are among the most poetic elements in photography. They shape composition, create atmosphere, and introduce a sense of mystery that encourages viewers to look deeper. A shadow may conceal as much as it reveals, leaving space for imagination and interpretation.

Throughout the history of photography, artists have used shadows to evoke emotion and mood—nostalgia, solitude, tension, or quiet serenity. A long shadow cast across a street can suggest the passage of time; a dark silhouette can transform a familiar subject into something symbolic and universal. For photographers, learning to see and use shadows creatively is often what elevates an image from simple documentation to visual storytelling.

The Beauty of Silhouettes

Silhouettes are an essential part of the language of shadows. By reducing a subject to its outline against a luminous background, photographers create striking graphic compositions that emphasize shape, gesture, and movement.

This technique removes unnecessary details and allows emotion to emerge through form alone. A solitary figure at sunset, a tree against a glowing sky, or a couple walking through a backlit street can instantly become timeless visual metaphors. Whether subtle or dramatic, silhouettes demonstrate how the balance between light and darkness can shape narrative and atmosphere.

What the Jury Is Looking For

For AAP Magazine #56: SHADOWS, submissions will be evaluated according to three key criteria: creativity, originality, and visual or emotional impact. The goal is to identify photographers who bring a distinctive voice to the theme and whose work resonates with viewers beyond aesthetics alone.

Rather than promoting a single interpretation of shadows, the call welcomes diverse perspectives—from minimalist compositions and abstract explorations to documentary and conceptual approaches.

A Platform for International Exposure

Participating in an All About Photo competition can be an important step in a photographer’s career. The platform is widely recognized in the international photography scene and regularly attracts the attention of editors, book publishers, gallery owners, festival directors, curators, and creative directors.

For emerging photographers, visibility can open doors to exhibitions, publications, and new collaborations. For established artists, it offers an opportunity to connect with new audiences and share their work within a global photography community.

A Lasting Online Exhibition

Selected photographers will benefit from international exposure through the All About Photo website, newsletter, and social media channels. The winning portfolios will also be featured in a permanent online exhibition, allowing the work to remain accessible to collectors, editors, and photography enthusiasts long after the competition results are announced.

This digital gallery becomes a lasting showcase of contemporary photography, highlighting how artists around the world interpret the same theme through different creative perspectives.

An Invitation to Explore the Darkness

Photographers interested in submitting their work should ensure that their images have not previously been published in AAP Magazine, as previously featured work is not eligible for resubmission. Beyond this requirement, the competition encourages artistic freedom and welcomes diverse interpretations of the theme.

The winners will be announced on the All About Photo website and across its social media channels, where a vibrant international audience of photography enthusiasts actively discovers new talent and contemporary photographic projects.

In a world saturated with images, the power of shadows remains uniquely captivating. They guide the viewer’s eye, create drama, and evoke atmosphere in ways few other visual elements can. Through AAP Magazine #56: SHADOWS, photographers have the opportunity to explore this timeless visual language and share their vision with a global audience.

For those who believe that light is only half the story, this call for entries is an invitation to reveal what lies within the darkness.

Submit your work, share your vision, and let your shadows speak.