The Monochrome Photography Awards Have Announced The Winners Of 2023

The winners of the 2023 Monochrome Photography Awards have been announced! This time, the title of Monochrome Photographer of the Year went to Érico Hiller for his captivating shot of an acid attack survivor, Geeta.

The Monochrome Photography Awards is an international competition that celebrates black-and-white photography. It recognizes and honors photographers who demonstrate exceptional skills and creativity in the field of monochrome imagery. Scroll down to view the winning images in categories: Abstract, Architecture, Conceptual, Fashion/Beauty, Fine Art, Landscapes, Nature, Nude, Photojournalism, Photomanipulation, Portrait, Street, and Wildlife.

More info: monoawards.com | Instagram

10 PHOTOS

#1 3rd Place In The Wildlife Category: "Baby Back" By Baiju Patil, India

"This photo was taken at Daruji National Park Karnataka India. This photo was taken while the mother was walking down the rock, but the cub was not ready to get off her back. When she was coming down, she cried like a baby and quickly climbed onto her mother's back."

#2 1st Place In The Wildlife Category: "Our Kingdom" By James Lewin, Kenya

"Lions have been momentous symbols to humankind for thousands of years. Their bravery, strength, courage, loyalty, and close family bonds have inspired millions of people in their day-to-day lives. My aim in Ndutu this year was to create a group portrait that would resonate with and connect us to this most iconic mammal and highlight their noble qualities.

For a worthy portrait to materialize, I needed the subject, location, composition, light, background, and sky to come together simultaneously, which, of course, is totally out of my control. These few and far-between split seconds have become what I search long and hard for. There is simply no better feeling than when it all pays off.

I am especially drawn to how the proud noble gaze of the lion represents the stability and leadership that dominant males bring to pride and how the intent stare of the lioness reminds us of their loyalty to the pride and powerful hunting capabilities. It brings a subtle balance to the frame, highlighting the inspiring qualities of such a famous and highly regarded species."

#3 1st Place In The Street Category: "Snowfall" By Beata Zawrzel, Poland

"A boy plays in the snow after sudden and intense snowfall following a rather mild first month of winter. Kraków, Poland on February 3, 2023."

#4 2nd Place In The Street Category: "Bubble Fun" By Tebani Slade, Spain

"I came across this bubble thrower on my walk home one afternoon. For the small change they make from donations, they bring so much joy to children who jump and dance to pop the bubbles as they float into the air. It’s a magical feeling."

#5 3rd Place In The Nature Category: "Love Language" By Fenqiang Liu, United States

"On a serene spring morning in Central Florida in 2020, a majestic Great Egret gracefully returned to its nest, where its young baby egret had patiently waited. I was privileged to observe and document the profound and tender bond between parents and offspring through my camera lens."

#6 2nd Place In The Nature Category: "The Leader" By Xavier Ortega, Spain

"Camargue horses running through the marsh."

#7 1st Place In The Landscapes Category: "Dust-Laden Hooves: Saga Of The Volcanic Riders" By Mahendra Bakle, India

"The Tenggerese people, known as 'The Horsemen of Bromo' in Indonesia, embody a captivating cultural legacy in the stunning landscape surrounding Mount Bromo. Their vibrant customs and role as horseback guides create an immersive experience for visitors exploring the volcanic terrains. These horsemen, with their traditional attire and deep-rooted rituals, offer travelers not just a ride but an encounter with the rich heritage of the region."

#8 Monochrome Discovery Of The Year 2023: "My Kingdom" By Simon Biddie, United Kingdom

"Male California sea lions are distinct from female sea lions; they are larger, have thick necks, and possess a protruding, grey sagittal crest. During mating season the dominant males become territorial and protect their harem, which can be up to 30 females. This male bursts through a shoal of sardines, with his harem seen behind him. At Los Islotes, in the Espiritu Santo National Park, Mexico, the California sea lion has been protected under Mexican law since 1994. As part of the Islas del Golfo de California Flora and Fauna Protection Area (APFF-IGC), the area is a no-take zone enforced by La Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (CONANP), which positively impacts predators’ food sources such as sardine shoals. Espiritu Santo Island has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2005 and was declared a National Marine Park in 2007. Thanks to these efforts, the sea lion colony at Los Islotes has expanded and is estimated at 400 - 800 individuals, making it now one of the most stable colonies in the area. Restricting direct human activity has hugely benefited the California sea lion population in Espiritu Santo."

#9 3rd Place In The Photojournalism Category: "Rapa Das Bestas" By Hans-Maximo Musielik, Mexico

"The entire body of work was taken over 4-5 months between April and August of 2022 in different parts of the Val Miñor region in Galicia, Spain. This photo in particular was taken at the Torroña "curro" in Pontevedra on June 5th, 2022. The "Rapa das Bestas" or "shaving of the beasts" is a Galician tradition that takes place every summer on different dates and places mostly along the Galician southern rural mountainous areas. The horses are rounded up and locals in a communal effort, drive them to the "curros" which are mostly stonewalled rodeo-like structures, where their manes and tails are shaved, and mandatory microchips are implanted on the newly born foals. After all these processes they are let go to roam freely for another full year. I wanted to document the entire process in different locations where different catching techniques were applied. The picture shows just a part of "curro" where horses have been rounded up. For obvious reasons, I immediately identified the white horse from the rest of the herd and snapped a couple of pictures."

#10 2nd Place In The Landscapes Category: "Mt.fuji" By Kantapat Phutthamkul, Thailand

"I took this photo during my trip to Japan. Mountain Fuji is the most iconic here."