AAP Magazine #59: Shapes: Discover the Winning Photographs

Curves and Contrast: An Abstract Study in Shape

What happens when photographers stop looking at the world through objects and start seeing it through shapes?

That question lies at the heart of AAP Magazine #59: Shapes, the latest issue of All About Photo’s international photography publication. Bringing together photographers from 15 countries across four continents, the issue explores the visual language of form through architecture, landscape, portraiture, abstraction, everyday objects, light, shadow, and unexpected compositions.

Rather than simply photographing recognizable subjects, the selected photographers pay attention to the structures hidden within them. Lines become patterns, shadows become silhouettes, buildings become geometric compositions, and familiar scenes take on a new visual identity.

Seeing the World Through Shape

Shape is one of the most fundamental elements of visual composition, but it can also be one of the most powerful. A circle, a diagonal line, a repeated pattern, or the outline of a human figure can completely change how an image is perceived.

The photographers featured in AAP Magazine #59 approach the theme from very different directions. Some create carefully balanced compositions built around symmetry and repetition. Others embrace abstraction, unusual viewpoints, strong contrasts, or visual tension.

Together, the photographs demonstrate that shape does not have to be obvious to be effective. Sometimes it emerges through light and shadow; sometimes through the relationship between people and their surroundings. In other images, it becomes the subject itself.

The Winning Photographers

First Place: Tom Zimberoff (United States)
ReNude

Known for his extensive career in portrait photography, Zimberoff presents an intimate exploration of the human form, using the body as both subject and shape.

Second Place: Matthew Garbutt (United Kingdom)
Unit of Work: 20 Industrial Estates

Garbutt finds rhythm, repetition, and structure within industrial environments, transforming functional spaces into compelling visual compositions.

Third Place: Nicolas Castermans (France)
First Language

Castermans explores form and perception through a highly personal photographic language, creating images that invite viewers to look beyond the immediately recognizable.

Merit Award Gallery

The Merit Award Gallery brings together photographers from around the world, further emphasizing the international scope and diversity of this issue.

Marco Parenti (Italy), Maya Meshel (United States/Israel), Jaroslav Mareš (Czech Republic), Michael Prais (United States), Klaus Lenzen (Germany), Zechen Huang (China), Stuart Chape (Australia), Kazutoshi Takeuchi (Japan), Alireza Bagheri Sani (Iran), Olena Zubach (Ukraine), Claudio Limiti (Italy), Ralph Milewski (Germany), Emily Neville Fischer (United States), Kevin Lyle (United States), Julie V Garner (United States), Jaeseok Lim (South Korea), Carlos Esguerra (Philippines/United States), Julia Classen and Magdalena Lepka (Germany/Austria), Peter Harlow (United Kingdom/Australia), Dede Pickering (United States), Francesca Pompei (Italy), and Tracy Burke (United States).

A Different Way of Looking

From architectural details to human silhouettes, from industrial structures to fleeting patterns of light, AAP Magazine #59: Shapes encourages us to slow down and reconsider what we see every day.

The strength of these photographs lies not only in their technical execution, but in the photographers’ ability to recognize visual possibilities where others might see only ordinary surroundings. A wall, a shadow, a body, a building, or a repeated object can become something entirely different when viewed through the lens of photography.

Ultimately, Shapes is an invitation to look more closely. To notice lines, curves, patterns, spaces, and relationships—and to discover how much visual poetry can exist within the simplest forms.

Explore the winning photographs from AAP Magazine #59: Shapes and discover the photographers who transformed form into visual storytelling.

All About Photo Presents 'Cuba es Vida' by American Photographer David Saxe

Cuba Beyond the Frame: Why the Quietest Moments Often Tell the Biggest Stories

Some places are photographed so often that they become almost impossible to see with fresh eyes. Cuba is one of them. Search for images of the island and you'll find an endless collection of vintage American cars, brightly painted buildings, cigar smoke, and lively streets. They're beautiful scenes—but they're only part of the story.

Photographer David Saxe approached Cuba differently.

Rather than chasing iconic locations, he spent three trips observing everyday life, allowing the people he met to shape the direction of his camera. The result is *Cuba es Vida* ("Cuba Is Life"), a photographic series that replaces tourist clichés with genuine human moments.

The photographs don't rely on spectacle. A fisherman prepares his boat before sunrise. A young boxer trains with complete concentration. Musicians rehearse in nearly empty theaters. Children practice ballet with remarkable discipline. Elderly Cubans sit quietly, their expressions revealing years of experience that no history book could fully explain.

These are the moments that rarely appear in travel brochures, yet they often leave the strongest impression.

One of the most compelling aspects of the project is its visual style. Saxe doesn't strive for flawless technical perfection. Instead, he welcomes deep shadows, soft focus, and movement. The images feel less like frozen moments and more like memories—fleeting, emotional, and open to interpretation. Rather than documenting every detail, they capture the atmosphere of being there.

This approach reminds us that photography isn't always about showing everything. Sometimes what remains hidden tells the richer story.

*Cuba es Vida* also reflects the fascinating relationship between history and the present. Decades-old architecture stands beside everyday routines. Political and cultural history is visible throughout the landscape, yet daily life continues with remarkable energy. Families gather, artists create, athletes train, and neighbors share conversations that have likely taken place on the same streets for generations.

In many ways, the project becomes less about Cuba itself and more about the universal experience of community, resilience, and hope.

For photographers, *Cuba es Vida* offers another valuable lesson: memorable images often come from slowing down rather than moving faster. Instead of searching for the next famous landmark, spending time with people, observing patiently, and waiting for authentic moments can lead to photographs with far greater emotional depth.

The camera records what stands before it, but the photographer chooses what matters. In David Saxe's work, that choice is consistently the human experience.

Perhaps that's why these photographs stay with the viewer long after the first glance. They don't simply show a destination—they invite us to connect with the lives that give that destination its identity. And in a world filled with familiar travel images, that perspective feels both refreshing and timeless.

Discover the full exhibition here

Win an Exclusive Interview and a Solo Exhibition this September

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 portals on the web.
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 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

Win a Solo Exhibition Now. Deadline August 11, 2026

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

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

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

March Solo Exhibition: Civilization by Damien Aubin

This series explores environments shaped by human ambition, where structures operate at a scale that exceeds individual presence.

Whether meticulously maintained, fully operational, or marked by abandonment, these spaces persist. I do not seek to document decay, but rather to observe how these architectural forms continue to impose their systemic logic, even when human activity has withdrawn. In these images, human presence recedes in favor of massive, organized structures. Within this apparent coherence, a subtle form of decoherence emerges — a misalignment between monumental scale and lived experience, between operational systems and the tangible reality of the body. I approach these environments from a distance, observing how structure prevails over function. The act of photographing becomes a way of remaining within this tension — of confronting what both attracts and unsettles me. What remains is not decay as an end, but inertia — a quiet persistence of civilization beyond its visible utility.

Civilization is an ongoing body of work, conceived as an open and evolving series.

Discover the full exhibition here

New Solo Show: ‘When The Pavement Breathes’ by Margarita Mavromichalis

All About Photo is thrilled to unveil our February Solo Exhibition, ‘When The Pavement Breathes’ by Margarita Mavromichalis

When The Pavement Breathes is a vivid exploration of the unnoticed moments that quietly transform the mundane into the extraordinary. Rooted in spontaneous, candid observation, this body of work traces the pulse of the street, where chance encounters fleeting gestures, and unguarded expressions briefly surface before dissolving back into routine. The photographs, made across cities and streets in different parts of the world, reveal unexpected juxtapositions and subtle details that disrupt habitual ways of seeing.

Despite their varied geographic origins, the images speak a shared visual language. Humor, irony, beauty, and oddity emerge not as cultural exceptions, but as universal human experiences. Familiar gestures repeat across borders; emotions echo from place to place. In this way, the work emphasizes how daily life, wherever it unfolds, carries more in common than we often assume.

Moving through these global yet intimate moments, the series invites viewers to slow down and rediscover wonder within the everyday. Shadows converse with architecture, bodies mirror their surroundings, and the ordinary becomes momentarily strange or luminous. When The Pavement Breathes suggests that the street itself is alive, responsive, expressive, and filled with quiet surprises just beneath the surface. By paying attention to what is often overlooked, the work reframes the urban landscape as a living gallery, where the most compelling moments are unscripted and universally human.

Discover the solo exhibition here

All About Photo Presents 'Fay and Gay' by Samantha Yancey

Solo Exhibition January 1 - 31, 2026
A Portrait of Lifelong Togetherness

All About Photo is pleased to unveil its first Solo Exhibition of 2026, Fay and Gay by Samantha Yancey.

This intimate photographic project explores lifelong companionship through the story of twin sisters Fay and Gay, born in 1936 near Pelahatchie, Mississippi. Never having spent a day apart, they have shared a home, careers, routines, and passions for more than eight decades. From building their home together in 1969 to dressing alike by choice, their lives unfold in a quiet, enduring synchronicity.

With sensitivity and restraint, Samantha Yancey captures this rare bond, offering a subtle and deeply human reflection on time, devotion, and the beauty of an ordinary life lived side by side. The project resonates through its emotional clarity and gentle strength, inviting viewers into a world shaped by constancy and mutual presence.

Discover the full solo exhibition here

New Call for Entries: Win a Solo Exhibition in January 2026!

Get International Exposure and Connect with Industry Insiders, Art Collectors and Potential Buyers

Want Your Own Solo Photography Exhibition? Here's How to Get Featured Worldwide

Each month, one talented photographer is selected for a Solo Exhibition on All About Photo’s dedicated showroom pages — offering unparalleled visibility to a global audience of collectors, editors, curators, and photography lovers.

Next Exhibition Dates: January 1–31, 2026

Why You Should Enter the Solo Exhibition Competition

At All About Photo, we believe great photography deserves to be seen. Whether you’re a professional or an emerging photographer, this is your chance to have your work showcased in a powerful, month-long online exhibition.

This isn’t just another online feature — it’s a launchpad.

What You Get if Selected

Solo Exhibition for One Month Your work is featured across our website — including our home page, exhibition gallery, and global photography directory.

Exclusive Interview Share the story behind your project in an in-depth feature shared with our audience.

Permanent Online Presence Your work remains permanently accessible via a dedicated portfolio page with up to 20 images in our Photographers Directory.

Widespread Social Media Exposure Reach thousands of followers via our Instagram, Facebook, and X (Twitter) channels.

Special Edition Newsletter Your exhibition is highlighted in an exclusive email sent to our international subscriber base.

International Press Coverage Your work is guaranteed to be featured on major platforms including Bored Panda, Visura, and Photophiles Magazine.

Sell Your Work, Commission-Free Interested buyers can contact you directly — no gallery cut, no commissions. Open to All Genres, All Levels

All Photographers Welcome — Whether you're a seasoned pro or a passionate enthusiast. All Styles & Subjects — From documentary and fine art to landscape, portrait, or abstract. Submit a Cohesive Project or Portfolio — We’re looking for work with a strong visual voice.

More information here

NEW PHOTO CONTEST: AAP Magazine 54 NATURE

Nature photography is a captivating genre that celebrates the beauty and diversity of the natural world. It embraces landscapes, wildlife, flora, and fauna — each offering its own visual poetry and emotional depth.

Landscape photography captures the grandeur of mountains, rolling hills, lakes, waterfalls, and coastlines, as well as the quiet power of man-made structures reclaimed by nature. Wildlife photography reveals the behavior and spirit of animals in their natural habitats, from tropical rainforests to arid deserts. Flora and fauna photography highlights the intricate colors, textures, and patterns of plants and living organisms, showcasing the delicate artistry of the natural world.

Across all its forms, nature photography seeks to convey the harmony and fragility of our planet. It invites viewers to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the environment — inspiring awareness and a deeper respect for the wonders that surround us.

Winners will receive $1,000 in cash awards, their winning image(s) or full portfolio published in AAP Magazine Vol.54, extensive press coverage and global recognition.

All winners will have their work published in the 54th 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.

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.

1st Place winner
Cash Prize: $500 (US Dollars).
Exclusive interview and winning image(s) or portfolio published in AAP Magazine, Volume 54: Nature
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 54: Nature
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 54: Nature
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 23 winners (ranked from 4 to 25) will have their best image(s) or portfolio published in AAP Magazine Vol.54.

NEW PHOTO CONTEST: Win a Solo Exhibition in December 2025

Juror: Ed Kashi

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!

New Solo Show: 'Blueprint' by Benita Mayo

All About Photo is thrilled to unveil our October Solo Exhibition, 'Blueprint' by Benita Mayo

This project is a deeply personal exploration of memory, loss, and inheritance. Sparked by the sudden passing of my father in 2020, it reflects on the weight of history, the scars of collective trauma, and the fragility of memory. Rooted in Virginia’s complex legacy—from slavery and civil rights struggles to the private wounds carried within families—it weaves together words and images to confront silence, honor resilience, and seek healing through remembrance.

BLUEPRINT:

Memory is unreliable, and time has a way of bending the truth. I have always been on ajourney to unearth and examine the stories that live within me—some through my own experience, but most through inheritance.

When Daddy suddenly passed in 2020, the tectonic plates of my life forever shifted. In an instant, I knew life would never be the same. As I find myself longing to understand the past, the impermanence of memory is palpable. I feel as if I’m racing toward an invisible finish line.

My parents were born in Virginia, a state with an indelible imprint on America’s most painful and pivotal chapters: the rise of slavery, the Civil War, and the long struggle for civil rights.Over 350,000 men, women, and children were sold from Richmond’s auction block. Virginia was the capital of the Confederacy, and the Fall of Richmond marked the end of the CivilWar. Later, during a time of “massive resistance,” a neighboring county chose to close its public schools rather than integrate them. This was the Virginia into which my father was born.

History and politics shaped my family’s story. They directly influenced how we were raised.The most pervasive feelings I remember from childhood were fear and loneliness. We lived with trauma, sorrow, silence, and deep wounding. But at the heart of it all, there was love—and a steadfast hope that tomorrow could be better than today.

Toni Morrison, in The Bluest Eye, urges us not to “forgive and forget,” but to “remember and do better.” Too often, shame and embarrassment silence truth. But only through declaration and revelation can truth and insight rise. Only then can the cracks begin to mend, and healing begin.

Much of what I have struggled with throughout my life has roots in collective trauma. In mysearch to understand what happened to me, I’ve spent 1,571 hours in therapy. It has takendecades to identify the cycles, to stop the bleeding, to clean the wound, and to begin thework of healing. For any wound to heal, this must come first. Then, in time, new tissueforms—a foundation for new skin that is stronger, more resilient.

Through words and pictures, I recount the fierce determination of a man caught in the web of history. The deck was stacked against him. But he made a way out of no way. The calmness of the landscape conceals the quiet outrage, the mourning, and the sacred commemoration.

Curator: Aline Smithson

Discover the Solo Exhibition here

Discover the Solo Exhibition here

NEW PHOTO CONTEST: Win a Solo Exhibition in November 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!

Discover the Winners of AAP Magazine 50 Shapes

Discover the 25 winners here AAP Magazine is proud to announce its milestone 50th issue, Shapes, featuring a striking collection of photographs that explore form, geometry, and structure in visual storytelling. The issue presents a diverse range of approaches — from minimalism and balance to bold abstraction and inventive perspectives — showcasing how photographers transform everyday patterns into extraordinary images.

Selected from hundreds of submissions, the winning series and single images highlight the creativity and vision of the photographers, demonstrating how shape can both anchor and disrupt composition. This edition celebrates artists from 11 countries across 4 continents, underscoring the truly international reach of the competition. From architectural details to fleeting patterns of light, these photographs reveal the endless possibilities of one of the most fundamental elements of art.

The winners gain recognition not only in the print edition of AAP Magazine but also across All About Photo’s website and social media, offering exposure to a wide audience of photography enthusiasts, collectors, and curators.

AAP Magazine #50: Shapes invites readers to discover the beauty in lines, patterns, and silhouettes — proving that shapes are everywhere, and in the hands of these photographers, they become unforgettable works of art.

The Winner of AAP Magazine #50: Shapes is Julie Wang (United States) with the series ‘‘The Illusion of Poppies’.
The Second Place Winner is JP Terlizzi (United States) with the series ‘Tangled in Blue’.
The Third Place winner is Jingyi Zhang (China) with the series ‘Vacuum World’.

The other winners featured in the Merit Award’s Gallery are: Cristiano Bartoli (Italy), Stephen Rauch (USA), Elisabeth Ajtay (USA), Tommi Viitala (Finland), Tom van Eynde (USA), Fabien Dendiével (France), Frank Machalowski (Germany), Florian Kriechbaumer (Germany), Syan Hu (China), Ralf Dreier (Germany), Michael Hrankowski (United States), Bolko Stolberg (Germany), Alicia Paley (USA), Patrick Cicalo (USA), Tebani Slade (Australia), Mariana Basurto (Mexico), Hiroto Fukuda (Japan), Jeff Schewe (USA), Christer Björkman (Sweden), Alexandra Schmid (Switzerland), Lisa Donneson (USA) and Jaime Nisenbaum (USA).

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 #50: Shapes.

Discover the 25 winners here

New Solo Show: 'Rural Life in the Hudson Valley' by Susan Anthony

All About Photo is pleased to present ‘Rural Life in the Hudson Valley’ by Susan Anthony as the winning project of our September 2025 Solo Exhibition.

For the past five years, Anthony has been documenting the people and traditions of upstate New York. What began during the pandemic—walking rural roads with her camera and meeting local residents—has grown into an intimate portrait of a community deeply rooted in the Hudson Valley. Her photographs reveal multi-generational families, homeschooling households, and farming communities whose resilience and traditions continue to thrive.

The exhibition highlights Anthony’s passion for documenting communities over time, capturing both the quiet rhythms of everyday life and the strength of bonds that connect people to each other and to the land.

‘Rural Life in the Hudson Valley’ is on view in the Solo Exhibition section of All About Photo throughout September 2025.

Discover the full Solo Exhibition Here