Photography Contest
LensCulture Black and White Photography Award 2026
Deadline |
10/14/26Theme |
Black and WhiteTerritory |
WorldwideEligibility |
18+Entry Fees |
Between $10 and $45Prizes |
Cash PrizeHost |
LensCultureThe LensCulture Black & White Photography Awards 2026 is an international photography competition celebrating the expressive possibilities of monochrome imagery. Organized by LensCulture, the award invites photographers to submit compelling black-and-white work ranging from classic photographic approaches and darkroom processes to digital and experimental practices.
Photographers may enter either individual images or a cohesive series, with series submissions allowing up to 10 photographs presented as a unified thematic or aesthetic body of work. Eligible photographs should have been created within the last 10 years, giving entrants broad scope to present recent personal, documentary, conceptual, fine-art, or experimental approaches to monochrome photography.
The 2026 competition will recognize 33 photographers across prize winners, Jurors’ Picks and finalists. Selected work will be presented through LensCulture’s international platform, while the six top prize winners are scheduled to participate in a group exhibition in London during Photo London 2027.
Entry fee: One single image can be entered free per person; additional single images cost $10 each, five single images cost $35, and a series of up to 10 images costs $45. Enrolled students receive 30% off paid entry fees, and an optional written review for qualifying submissions costs an additional $25.
Prize
Six prize winners share $10,000 in cash awards: Series 1st Place receives $3,500, 2nd Place $2,000 and 3rd Place $1,000, while Single Image 1st Place receives $2,000, 2nd Place $1,000 and 3rd Place $500.
Seven Jurors’ Picks receive special distinction, and 20 finalists are also recognized. The six winners are scheduled for a group exhibition in London during Photo London 2027. Series winners receive a solo feature on LensCulture, while winners, Jurors’ Picks and finalists are presented in LensCulture’s permanent online competition gallery.
Photographers may enter either individual images or a cohesive series, with series submissions allowing up to 10 photographs presented as a unified thematic or aesthetic body of work. Eligible photographs should have been created within the last 10 years, giving entrants broad scope to present recent personal, documentary, conceptual, fine-art, or experimental approaches to monochrome photography.
The 2026 competition will recognize 33 photographers across prize winners, Jurors’ Picks and finalists. Selected work will be presented through LensCulture’s international platform, while the six top prize winners are scheduled to participate in a group exhibition in London during Photo London 2027.
Entry fee: One single image can be entered free per person; additional single images cost $10 each, five single images cost $35, and a series of up to 10 images costs $45. Enrolled students receive 30% off paid entry fees, and an optional written review for qualifying submissions costs an additional $25.
Prize
Six prize winners share $10,000 in cash awards: Series 1st Place receives $3,500, 2nd Place $2,000 and 3rd Place $1,000, while Single Image 1st Place receives $2,000, 2nd Place $1,000 and 3rd Place $500.
Seven Jurors’ Picks receive special distinction, and 20 finalists are also recognized. The six winners are scheduled for a group exhibition in London during Photo London 2027. Series winners receive a solo feature on LensCulture, while winners, Jurors’ Picks and finalists are presented in LensCulture’s permanent online competition gallery.
Image:
© Paul Westlake
Featured Photo Contest
AAP Magazine #62 / TRAVELS
Our 62nd printed issue of AAP Magazine will feature the best projects showcasing the theme: Travels. Reflect on your past or current adventures, expand our horizons from the four corners of the globe!
© Indranil Sengupta
Best Photography Contests in 2026
Each year, there are hundreds of photography competitions all over the world, so we've decided to select for you the best of the best! Our selection of the best photo contests in 2026 is thoroughly curated to help you, whether you are a professional photographer or an amateur, to help find your next creative breakthrough. These all-star competitions offer the greatest opportunities for international exposure and/or incredible financial benefits. Some of them are closing soon, so get your photo submissions in!
ENDS 10/11/26
Art is born out of passion. Fine Art photography is a perfect instrument, which allows a person to communicate with the world and share their vision. It results from the author's deep sensitivity, a need to express feelings through image.
ENDS 10/13/26
For 2026, the amount of the W. Eugene Smith Grant is $30,000, and two additional $10,000 Finalist Grants will be awarded.
ENDS 10/13/26
For 2026, the amount of the W. Eugene Smith Student Grant is $5,000. The grant provides two students with the opportunity to complete a photographic essay.
ENDS 10/14/26
This year we're excited to exhibit our Emerging Talent winners in Paris alongside Paris Photo, the world's largest international art fair dedicated to photography!
ENDS 10/14/26
From crossing paths with a black cat to honoring ancestors at vibrant altars, humans have always used stories, rituals, and visual symbols to make sense of fate, luck, and the unseen.
ENDS 10/15/26
A total of $8,000 in grants will be awarded to three outstanding artists
ENDS 10/15/26
€10,000 in cash plus an exhibition at PhMuseum Lab, screenings at PhotoVogue Festival, and more
ENDS 10/16/26
We are looking for your travel photographs, near and far, to the edge of the earth and to the places perhaps known only to you.
ENDS 10/31/26
If you're a passionate amateur or professional photographer, we invite you to share your photographic project with us.
ENDS 11/01/26
The best photographs will be presented in an exhibition in the Principality of Monaco, then touring in various locations around the world, as well as in a high-quality photography book.
ENDS 11/05/26
To help photographers improve their chances, we have launched a portfolio and contest submission review service.
ENDS 11/05/26
The acclaimed and renonwned photography grant contest from Gomma. The ninth year in the making. High international exposure and funding.
ENDS 11/22/26
The criteria for selection by a jury of professional in the photographic field are a height creative level, originality and a coherent personal vision.
ENDS 11/30/26
Selected photobooks will be featured in Der Greif’s Articles section, including a dedicated editorial feature highlighting the project, its context, and the maker(s).
ENDS 12/01/26
Empowering photographers and storytellers to tell powerful, long-term stories about the people and communities protecting our planet and wildlife.
ENDS 01/02/27
Turn your unique perspective on architecture into an award-winning visual narrative in the Luis Ferreira Alves Photography Competition.
ENDS 01/05/27
Dedicated to young photographers under 19 years-old - first prize is top Sony digital imaging equipment plus benefit from global exposure
ENDS 01/05/27
Rewarding the best single images! Enter for free and you could win $5,000, top Sony digital imaging equipment plus more!
ENDS 01/12/27
Rewarding the best photo series worldwide! Enter for free and you could win $25,000, a range of Sony digital imaging equipment plus more!
ENDS 02/07/27
Competition dedicated to telling food stories through photography
ENDS 03/31/27
Entries are open worldwide to photographers using an iPhone or iPad. Photos should not be published previously anywhere. The posts on personal accounts (Facebook, Instagram etc.) are eligible.
ENDS 11/26/27
Provides a platform for photography students worldwide - first prize is top Sony digital imaging equipment plus benefit from global exposure