The LensCulture Black & White Photography Awards 2025 celebrate the timeless power and enduring appeal of monochrome photography. This annual competition invites photographers from across the globe to explore the expressive depth of black and white imagery, whether captured through classic analog methods, digital processes, or experimental techniques. By focusing solely on the interplay of light, shadow, texture, and form, the awards highlight the unique artistry that black and white photography brings to visual storytelling.
Photographers are encouraged to submit either single images or cohesive series, offering flexibility for both emerging and established artists. With 37 photographers set to be recognized, the competition emphasizes diversity in style and subject matter, from fine art to documentary, portraiture, landscapes, street photography, and more. The awards are designed to amplify creative voices, providing participants with opportunities to gain recognition from an international audience of curators, editors, and collectors who value the evocative language of monochrome.
In addition to global exposure, top winners of the LensCulture Black & White Photography Awards 2025 will have their work showcased in a prestigious exhibition in New York, receive press coverage, and be featured in a dedicated solo profile on LensCulture. Through these platforms, the competition not only rewards technical excellence and artistic vision but also connects photographers with a vibrant community passionate about the enduring impact of black and white photography in contemporary culture.
Entry fee: Single image free; extra single images $10 each; 5+ single images for $35; a series entry (up to 10 images) costs $45.
Eligibility
Open worldwide to anyone aged 18 or over, professional or amateur photographers alike.
Prize
The competition offers Cash Awards & Recognition including for Series category: 1st Place $3,500; 2nd Place $2,000; 3rd Place $1,000; for Single Image category: 1st Place $2,000; 2nd Place $1,000; 3rd Place $500. Beyond that, additional distinctions via Jurors’ Picks and Finalists; the winners also get an exhibition in New York (2026), a solo feature on LensCulture, public exposure via the Editor’s Picks and the online gallery, plus international press exposure.
