15 Winning Images From The “Black and White Minimalist Photo Awards 2024”

The art of photography often speaks volumes through simplicity, where minimalism takes center stage, stripping away distractions to reveal the essence of a subject. In the realm of black and white photography, this minimalist approach becomes even more pronounced, harnessing the interplay of light and shadow to create striking visual narratives.

#1 “In Great-Grandpa’s Hands” by Yvonne C. Krystovsky. First Place Winner.

Image source: bnw minimalist photography prize

“The photograph shows the hands of a great-grandfather holding those of his great-grandchild in a moment of tender connection. The wrinkles and scars on the old man’s skin tell of a lifetime of experiences, while the child’s soft fingers reflect the innocence and curiosity of youth. Photographed in black and white, the details emphasize the emotional depth of the moment and the contrast between old and young. Every line, texture, and nuance reinforces the significance of this intergenerational love. This photograph is a touching testament to the beauty and depth of the connection between generations.”

#2 “Decisive Steps” by Rohit Rattan. Honorable Mention.

Image source: bnw minimalist photography prize

“The particular image was shot in the dunes of the Liwa Desert in the southernmost settlements of Abu Dhabi, which is an escape into the empty quarter stretching for almost 100 km of pure sand oasis. The image provokes thought for one to be durable against the adversaries of life and walk with decisive steps in the unknown oasis of life.”

#3 “On Light and Shadows” by Go Kochiya. Honorable Mention.

Image source: bnw minimalist photography prize

“In the plaza of a certain facility, several huge pillars were creating shadows. One of them was in a state of sharp V-shaped refraction due to a series of shadows, creating a flat composition of light and shadow. In order to make this composition appear three-dimensional, I photographed a man walking in a position that had both light and shadow in the landscape.”

#4 “Minimalist Concrete Staircase” by Daniel Zaleski. Second Place Winner.

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“Newly designed and constructed concrete staircase in an old refurbished building (former slaughter house). I was immediately enthralled by the light, tones and simple lines.”

#5 “Presence” by Soma Szebelledi. Honorable Mention.

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“The figure of a woman breaks the strict shapes of the composition and becomes the dominant presence in contrast to the immense mosque wall. Her presence there felt visually and metaphorically rebellious. The scene interchanges different zones of exposure and textures in a geometrical way while she is blissfully out of place.”

#6 “Island of Youth” by Dennis Schulz. Honorable Mention.

Image source: bnw minimalist photography prize

“The Insel der Jugend is a real beauty in Berlin. Especially in the colder seasons, it shows itself in different facets and is always worth a visit. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to take this photo on a thick foggy day.”

#7 “Bridge Walker” by Klaus Lenzen. Honorable Mention.

Image source: bnw minimalist photography prize

“A pedestrian on a bridge over the Rhine in Dusseldorf (Germany). Captured below the bridge access.”

#8 “The Tree in the Winter Field” by Tomas Tison. Honorable Mention.

Image source: bnw minimalist photography prize

“My attention was captured by the solitary tree standing as a sentinel in this snowy scene. Its silhouette creates a strong contrast against the white background. I was also fascinated by the cloud structure above the tree, forming an almost poetic arc around it, as if nature itself wanted to emphasize its uniqueness.”

#9 “Windows” by Manfred Gruber. Honorable Mention.

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“Austria/Vienna.”

#10 “Making Tracks” by Roy Curtis. Honorable Mention.

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“A roe dear crossing an alien landscape of plastic agricultural fleece, leaving faint tracks as it goes.”

#11 “Baby Baboon Silhouette” by Turgay Uzer. Honorable Mention.

Image source: bnw minimalist photography prize

“There is a stand of baobab trees in Zambia’s Luangwa National Park where the sunset acts as backlighting. This image was taken at that time, using the last rays of the sun, which were illuminating a family of baboons.”

#12 “Dried Wood” by Marleen Van Hove. Honorable Mention.

Image source: bnw minimalist photography prize

“A non-conventional view of the dried trees in Deadvlei, Namibia.”

#13 “Natural Light and Nude” by Jacinta Tomyn. Honorable Mention.

Image source: bnw minimalist photography prize

“‘Self-Portrait, Natural Light and Nude’ was captured in my home studio in Adelaide, South Australia, 2023, with myself both as photographer and muse. Using natural light only, I strived to subtly illuminate and present the nude with simplicity and elegance.”

#14 “Quiet Time” by Andrew Whettam. Honorable Mention.

Image source: bnw minimalist photography prize

“Shingle Street in Suffolk, England.”

#15 “Dilemma” by Hadi Dehghanpour. Honorable Mention.

Image source: bnw minimalist photography prize

“The photo shows the footprints of two off-road vehicles in the desert. In the middle of this crossroads, a person stands and does not know which way to go.”