MonoVisions Photography Awards 2027

The MonoVisions Photography Awards are an international competition devoted entirely to black and white photography. They are run alongside MonoVisions, an online magazine that publishes monochrome work from photographers around the world, and they give black and white photographers a stage that colour-dominated competitions rarely offer.

The 2027 edition has two main titles. The Black and White Series of the Year receives $3,000, and the Black and White Photo of the Year receives $2,000. Twelve categories cover almost every genre, from street photography and portraits to abstract work, fine art and photojournalism, and in each category the jury names winners and honourable mentions.

The rules are open. Professionals and amateurs compete together, digital and film work are both welcome, toned images such as sepia or selenium are accepted, and photographs that have been published or have won other contests can still be entered. The jury is made up of gallery owners, publishers, editors and other photography professionals.

Who Can Enter the MonoVisions Photography Awards?

Photographers from any country who are at least 18 years old. All levels of experience are welcome, from amateurs to professionals. Entries are made online only; prints are not accepted.

It is particularly relevant to:

• Fine art and street photographers
• Film and darkroom photographers
• Documentary photographers and photojournalists working in monochrome
• Portrait and landscape photographers
• Photographers with a cohesive black and white series

What Can You Enter?

Black and white photographs, as single images or as series. Toned images, such as sepia, selenium or gold toning, are accepted, as are scanned film and colour images converted to black and white.

Single Photo

One image in one category.

Series

Two to eight images that share a concept, entered in one category.

Categories

• Abstract
• Architecture
• Conceptual
• Fine Art
• Landscapes
• Nature and Wildlife
• Nude
• People
• Photojournalism
• Portrait
• Street Photography
• Travel

You can enter several categories; each additional category costs $10.

Entry Fees

Early deadline (until 17 January 2027):

• Single photo: $20
• Series (up to 8 images): $25

Final deadline (until 16 May 2027):

• Single photo: $25
• Series (up to 8 images): $30

Fees are paid online by PayPal or card.

What Do Selected Entrants Receive?

• Black and White Series of the Year: $3,000
• Black and White Photo of the Year: $2,000
• Grand prize winners: an individual certificate, a digital statue and coverage by media partners
• Category winners and honourable mentions: certificates and digital statues
• All winners: publication in the online winners' gallery

Cash prizes are paid by PayPal in US dollars.

Submission Requirements

• JPG files, 1,200 pixels on the longest side
• No signatures, logos, watermarks or copyright text on the image
• Series images uploaded together in one category

If you are selected, the organisers contact you by email to request high-resolution files to confirm the entry.

Important Rules

• All images must be black and white; toned images are accepted.
• Post-processing is allowed.
• Images that are published or have won other awards can be entered.
• Copyright stays with the photographer.
• Winners give MonoVisions non-exclusive rights to use the images, with credit, to promote the awards.
• The jury's decisions are final.

When Will Entrants Be Notified?

An international jury of gallery owners, publishers, editors and industry professionals reviews all entries after the final deadline. Selected photographers are contacted by email for high-resolution files, and the winners are announced on 25 July 2027.

Things to Consider

• Enter early to save. The early deadline cuts every fee by $5.
• Edit your series tightly. A series can have two to eight images; six strong ones beat eight uneven ones.
• Think in tones. Black and white is judged on light, contrast and form. Pictures that rely on colour rarely convert well.
• Pick the right category. Street, People and Portrait overlap; choose the one that matches the intent of the picture.
• Use your archive. Published and previously awarded images are accepted, so strong older work can compete.
• Look at past winners. The 2026 winners' gallery shows the range of styles the jury rewards.

Enter the Competition

Interested in submitting your work?

Enter the MonoVisions Photography Awards 2027

For the complete rules, category descriptions and the entry form, visit the official MonoVisions Awards website.

Looking for more open calls? Browse all competitions and opportunities on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: October 2, 2026