1ST PRIZE: XAVIER AUTREY HOLSCHNEIDER

This image is striking for its surreal design, where shadows, mystery, and a painted eye blend perfectly. It sparks imagination, evokes emotion, and pulls viewers into a dreamlike world full of hidden meaning. – HENGKI KOENTJORO

One must appreciate this monochrome perspective of the human inner struggle and the continuous search for identity and purpose. The photograph is a raw radiograph of the tumultuous human condition governed by a not-always-friendly mind, and that’s a powerful message to embed in an image. There is a sense of poetry that stands out, created by the juxtaposition of elements and a rhythmic alternation of highlights and shadows. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Nocturnal Reveries explores the labyrinth of the subconscious, reflecting how negative self-criticism can lead us down dark, narrow paths where we become unrecognizable, even to ourselves. These six black-and-white images are entirely unedited, with all effects created in-camera, emphasizing the raw and organic nature of our inner struggles and the shadows they cast on our identity.

2ND PRIZE: LOTTIN LORENZA GEORGIA

This photo is captivating because it shows deep compassion and connection. The black-and-white contrast enhances its raw emotion, while the human touch between the subjects evokes warmth, love, and a timeless bond. – HENGKI KOENTJORO

This is a touching portrait, full of love and light. The black background makes the models stand out while speaking about the unknown we all experience and fear. Humankind is small and fragile in the face of nature but somehow manages to survive. This picture emphasizes what makes us so resilient, which is the purity of love and connection, and does so by artistically placing the models in the light. Light is hope. Light is love. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Legacy of Light is a black-and-white photograph from my series “BITO BASU” that captures a moment of pure tenderness and universal connection between a mother and her child. The strong contrast in tones highlights the duality of light and shadow, symbolizing resilience and fragility–two forces that coexist within every human being. The choice of monochrome transcends color, anchoring the image in timelessness and universality, while emphasizing the texture of the skin and the raw expression of emotions.

At the heart of this work is an albino woman carrying her child with grace, embodying humanity in its most essential form: flesh, bone, and the profound bond between mother and child. The image challenges visible differences by celebrating a fundamental truth–we are all equal in our bodies, in our capacity to create life, and in the strength we pass on to future generations. Motherhood here becomes a unifying force, connecting the individual to the collective.

The artistic intent lies in shedding light on the overlooked beauty and dignity of marginalized communities while exploring the mother-child relationship as a universal symbol. The mother’s soft yet powerful presence, paired with the child’s natural gesture, reflects an intergenerational transmission of strength and tenderness.

Technically, the tight framing draws the viewer’s focus to the subjects’ intimacy, while the sculpted lighting enhances the contours of their faces and bodies. The depth of the blacks amplifies the emotional intensity, inviting silent contemplation where viewers are encouraged to look beyond appearances and connect with the essence of our shared humanity.

RICK FRANCIS

This is what it means to be in the right place, at the right time, and with an eye for whatever comes your way. This complex composition was created in a split-second by a photographer who was present and open. It shows the beauty of our surrounding world and the miracles that happen continuously. An instantaneous, ephemeral yin-yang. One has only to look, listen, and love to capture them. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – A fortunate moment in downtown Toledo provided this monochrome opportunity.

SORIN DAN RECHITAN

Nature sure does know how to impress us. The photograph captures a raw, natural phenomenon using only shapes, textures, and contrast. By using a monochrome palette, the photographer allows us to see the details often hidden behind colors, and to experience the phenomenon’s full strength. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Tyrrhenian Ballet. The photograph was taken in September 2024, on Elba Island, Italy.

ANDRE HIDAYAT

This is such an artistic composition and intelligent use of the black and white aesthetic. The black background emphasizes the forms of the hats, creating a rhythm of shapes across the frame. Overall, the image has a strong focal point that speaks about an entire culture and its traditions most simply and efficiently. It is very difficult to look away. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Torajanese Woman, Indonesia.

GUSSY LÖWENHIELM

The photographer creates an artful anti-portrait in which the character and the environment work in perfect unison. The skilful use of geometric elements and the minimalist composition invites the viewer into a charming world where light and shadow coexist peacefully. It’s one of those photographs that makes one wonder, eager to know more about the visual story that is presented, eager to step with the subject into the darkness. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Shy, Stockholm.

KERRIE BUROW

The image is a good representation of underwater photography in black and white. In the absence of color, contrast takes the scene and emphasizes every single detail. The photographer accentuates the effect by adding other relevant visual elements, such as diagonal framing, conceptual contrast, and scale contrast. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Papua New Guinea Wreck.

LENKA KLICPEROVÁ

This is a striking image that shows how regrettably easy it is to transform our mundane reality into a war zone. It’s an almost unbelievable scene, a contradiction in terms, which makes its message even more powerful. The use of a monochrome palette intensifies the drama and the cry for help. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – The Price of Freedom. Bachmut, Kreminna, Marjinka, Avdijivka… Until recently, these were relatively unknown towns of regional significance. Today, they are well-known from reports on the human tragedy in Ukraine. No one could have imagined the extent of suffering and devastation at the end of February 2022. Now, it has become a part of everyday reality, no longer surprising anyone. However, on the frontlines, human dramas unfold every day. Rockets strike, civilians and soldiers perish. Will it ever end? The end of this nightmare is still nowhere in sight…

ANNA BIRET

It’s impossible to capture such an opportune juxtaposition of shadows and textures without completely immersing oneself in the moment. The composition is well-balanced and interestingly framed. For a short moment, the viewer has clarity over the subject, and then everything goes back into the shadows, which makes them perceive the passing of time, the dynamic of the scene, and the instant change in perspective. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Mexico. I do candid street photography, simplifying the chaotic mess of life with a sense of beauty, to bring out a bit of mystery. I like to capture those moments that make every moment beautiful in everyday life.

AZIM KHAN RONNIE

Shooting a scene that is clearly very colorful in black and white creates a challenge but is worth the effort every time. The photographer noticed the powerful effect of the texture and used it to fill the frame and create a strong focal point. This shows engagement with the subject, attention to detail, and the openness to embrace each scene as it is. It’s a striking image that won’t let the viewer leave so easily. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – The man of golden fibers, Bangladesh.

SUBHASH PANIKAR

What a dramatic view! The storm cloud, dark and menacing, hovering over the small white boat and rendering the sea black, emphasizes the force of nature and conveys a powerful message. At the same time, the photographer makes good use of multiple types of contrast, proving that a monochrome landscape can be as beautiful and telling as a color one. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Ship in a Storm . This was shot on a boat ride to Ko Samui , Thailand, just before the onset of rain.

TODD STERN

A surreal but playful Halloween scene, this photograph uses the black and white aesthetic to enhance contrast and add drama. The composition is simple and immediate, with a strong focal point and surprising elements here and there. But what makes this image stand out is the subject and the contradictions that seem to be found with them momentarily out of character. – LIFE FRAMER

CHRIS YAN

A bizarre image, extremely graphical and sharp, the photograph takes the viewer to a surreal world that defies gravity. Physics rules don’t apply here, but compositionally speaking, the photographer has paid attention to negative space, leading lines, and composition. The scene is unusual, well-balanced and engaging. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Unreal World.

STEFAN GROEPPER

A dance in a trance, a fluid portrait, an exquisite photograph. The chiaroscuro effect intensifies the dramatic scene and gives it a glowing intensity. It’s a magnificent use of lighting that flatters the model’s features. The completely black background adds depth and creates an architectural tridimensionality that lures the viewer in, giving the illusion of a living statue. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Move in Silence, 2023. Martin Kuhlmann, Frankfurt, Germany.

RUSSELL GRAY

Do you see the sea with a surfer in the background or a surfer with the sea in the background? This playful composition, far from the ordinary framing of such a scene, is a conversation starter. It makes you look, think, smile, talk about it, and then look some more, only to come up with a different theory. It’s witty and whimsical and makes very clear the artistic power of shooting in black and white, as well as capturing something of the magic that draws people into the world of surfing. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – The Contemplating Surfer.

WILLIAM LINDSEY

This aerial view takes one’s breath away. By using black and white, the photographer makes a wise artistic choice. The background fades out, allowing the majestic subject to stand out. The textures of nature never stop surprising us and reveal the interconnectedness of all its elements. Through the medium of photography, we remind ourselves we are part of it, too. – LIFE FRAMER

RENATA DUTRÉE

This photograph is infused with symbols and tells a profound and complicated story. Nothing is left to chance; the photographer takes care of all the details and layers of meaning. The mix of shiny and matte surfaces adds to the story in a very subtle fashion. It also creates a compelling contrast and balances the composition. It’s a clever, unusual depiction of a person in transition, that acts to capture an element of state of mind. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Transition. Venus is currently in transition as a transwoman.  Signs of her changing body through hormone therapy are becoming visible. She is wearing an orchid flower dress, by couturier D’Angelino Tap. Orchids have hermaphrodite flowers and present both male and female sex organs. This dress seemed the perfect choice to underline the current physical situation Venus is in now captured with light-painting.

LIEVEN ENGELEN

This photograph is a lesson in composition and has all the elements of a successful shot. There is a strong focal point and a second subtler but equally as charming one. There are symmetries, contrast, and plenty of negative space. There is the necessary depth to produce a three-dimensional view. And there is a calm and peaceful feeling that emerges from the frame, surrounding the viewer. It’s the kind of photograph one feels the need to meditate in front of. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – The Slide, Oosterduinse Meer, The Netherlands.

PAULA CAPDEVILA BAHI

An impressive silhouette of a mountain fills the frame, providing a beautiful leading line. But whilst the viewer is taking in the view, a tiny human silhouette magically appears on top of the mountain. It’s a powerful metaphor for the human condition in the world, showing our true nature, almost always on the brink of an abyss. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – On the brink of the abyss, Lanzarote.

NOAH DOLINSKY

Shooting portraits in black and white not only smoothens the skin and creates a flattering contrast but also adds a lot of drama. As a result, this portrait taken in the context of a theater benefits enormously from the color palette choice. The picture-in-picture technique also helps with making the character stand out in the spotlight. The photographer has made all the right decisions to convey the story behind this scene. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Backstage at a Chinese opera performance in Bangkok, Thailand.