Exposure One Awards Celebrates the Timeless Grace of Black and White Photography

The Exposure One Awards honor the elegance of monochrome photography with the announcement of its laureates. This distinguished black-and-white photography competition received submissions from 64 nations, with Mexican photographer Arturo Gómez Sierra claiming the title of International Photographer of the Year. His photograph Lux, depicting light cascading down to highlight a cross, exemplifies the pure beauty of black and white work. By eliminating all color, Gómez Sierra employs high contrast and the moment’s symmetry to guide our gaze along the cross. It’s a serene, enchanting image truly deserving of recognition.

Another prominent winner at the awards is artist Dulcie May, recognized as International Discovery of the Year for her series of sensual, yet not excessively sexual, representations of the human form. In an imaginative collection, May focuses closely and utilizes the curves of the human body to craft something resembling a surreal landscape, once more revealing the transformative nature of working in black and white.

Judges from esteemed institutions, such as the Leica Gallery and SFMoMA, also awarded prizes across 20 categories in both professional and amateur divisions. The competition showcased various genres, with winners like “The Rhino and the Flock of Birds” by Alessandro Marena in Wildlife and “Solidarity within the Muslim community” by Chris Mozyro in Photojournalism. These compelling pieces illustrate how black-and-white photography continues to engage viewers by highlighting contrast, form, and emotion.

Other distinguished winners include James Flanagan’s “Lilies” in Still Life, and Frank Proost’s “A Soft Reminder In A Sharp World” in Fine Art, reflecting the versatility and richness of this artistic medium. For further exploration of these fascinating works, the Exposure One Awards website provides the complete collection of winners and finalists.