Color Photography Award Editors’ Picks of April 2024

Following the results of our recent Color Photography Award, judged by world-renowned Spanish photographer Pia Riverola, we are thrilled to present a selection of entries that didn’t quite make it to the final round, but impressed us immensely with their strength, quality, and innovative interpretation of the theme.

From picturesque, painting-like landscapes, to vivid portraits and vibrant depictions of life across the globe, the submissions we received spanned a diverse array of styles and genres, offering a fascinating glimpse into the diverse tapestry of contemporary color photography. While we couldn’t recognize every participant, we are privileged to spotlight the work of a few extraordinary artists whose images we believe are well worthy of exposure.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the participants for sharing their remarkable work with us.

“Misty Sunrise” - Ban Rak Thai, Northern Thailand
Ban Rak Thai is a small highland village nestled in the lush backcountry of Mae Hong Son province in Northern Thailand. It is set in a valley surrounded by hills and tea plantations on the edge of a reservoir. © Yosh Hase
“Northern Red Fox” - Hokkaido, Japan
Northern red fox photographed during Japanese winter against perfect blue and white. © Rujipart Thaveelabtanachok
“Infinite Loop” - Rajasthan, India
Stepwells in Rajasthan, India, boasts a rich history dating back over a thousand years. Initially built to harvest rainwater and provide access to groundwater, they evolved into architectural marvels and communal spaces. Constructed by digging into the earth, these structures were adorned with intricate carvings, serving as both utilitarian and aesthetic symbols. Stepwells facilitated water storage in arid regions, crucial for agriculture, drinking, and rituals. They also served as meeting points, offering respite from the scorching desert heat. Over time, step-wells declined with modernization, but their cultural significance endures, inspiring art, literature, and conservation efforts. Today, they stand as poignant reminders of India’s ingenuity in water management and architectural prowess. © Barry Crosthwaite
“Jelly Fish” - West Papua, Papua New Guinea
The orange tones and organic silhouettes of the jellyfishes reflected in the calm water surface of the waters of West Papua © Martin Broen
“Glam Girl”
A playful take on the slinky, a covering meant to protect a horse’s braided mane. Miss Ferarri turns to face the camera adorned in a sparkling sequin skirt. © Justina Reinhart
“Safeway” - San Francisco, USA
During my inaugural visit to San Francisco, I found myself entranced by the myriad opportunities to capture the city’s captivating essence along the Bay Area. Our adventure brought us to Twin Peaks, offering panoramic vistas that sprawled across the urban landscape. © Thaddaus Biberauer
“Blue Sentinel - The Cosmic Explorer”
Beckoning adventurers to traverse the cosmos, he navigates the star-strewn expanse, charting courses through galaxies yet to be explored. His presence a testament to the boundless curiosity of the human spirit. © Val Juma
“Múlafossur Waterfall” - Faroe Islands
For years, I had yearned to visit the Faroe Islands, drawn by the allure of its epic landscapes rather than its sunsets. However, fate had a pleasant surprise in store for me one evening near a waterfall. As if on cue, the sky burst into a breathtaking display of colors, allowing me to capture the stunning hues in all their magnificence. © Jennifer Esseiva
“Call to Prayer” - Erdene Zuu monastery, Mongolia
Description: A young monk blows the Shankha, the sacred conch shell, to signal the start of prayer at Erdene Zuu monastery in Mongolia. Erdene Zuu monastery is one of the few Buddhist monasteries that survived the communist purges, in part because locals safeguarded relics by burying them in the mountains, often at great risk to their own lives. These days the monastery is fully operational again, although no monks live there anymore. © Diana Barthauer
“Fade to Black”
With an old Polaroid camera, I preserve memories and fleeting contemplations. It freezes snapshots from life. A bird dies, a flower bursts out, winter passes and most of it fades away, in silence. The images are photographed with a Polaroid film called Fade to Black. If left alone the polaroid images degrade and eventually fade entirely to black. I snap a shot and the chemistry slowly darkens the film in a gradient from blue-green tones to yellowish-browns over approximately 24 hours until the images turns black. I have to stop the degrading by destroying the polaroid, essentially separating the layers of the film and halting the chemical process inside. The expression can be affected but it is never possible to completely control it. I am fascinated by the random as a part of the expression. It’s like life, you can not control everything. © Martina Holmberg
“Heritage In Faces | Echoes Of Poland” - Poland
Studio portrait of Zofia Surowiak, a member of The song and dance Ensemble BESKID. © Agnieszka Trzoch
“White Swirl” - Vanuatu
Aerial view taken from a light aircraft of a sand island in Vanuatu © Stuart Chape
“Senses”
"In this photo, I want to show a different and more creative approach to the senses. By hiding the girl’s mouth and eyes, I want to show that even without our basic senses, human beings can feel and sense through their soul." © Alex Othwnos
“Half Circle” - Inle Lake, Myanmar
An Intha woman attends to the drying of colorful garments over Inle Lake, in the Shan Hills of Myanmar. © Alex Stoll
“Reverie - landscape”
In the “Reverie” series, I invite the viewer to embark on a journey through the kaleidoscope of dreams. Each photograph serves as a portal into the subconscious, a reflection of the fantastical visions that dance at the edges of our slumber. Much like the evanescent nature of dreams, these works capture moments of clarity within the abstract, only to morph into elusive forms that challenge recognition. The photographs embody the paradoxical essence of dreams — vivid and ephemeral, logical yet surreal. © Julia Wimmerlin

Published May 13, 2024 - Congratulations to all selected artists: Yosh Hase, Rujipart Thaveelabtanachok, Barry Crosthwaite, Martin Broen, Justina Reinhart, Thaddaus Biberauer, Val Juma, Jennifer Esseiva, Diana Barthauer, Martina Holmberg, Agnieszka Trzoch, Stuart Chape, Alex Othwnos, Alex Stoll, Julia Wimmerlin,

black and white street photo of woman walking by Mania De Praeter

2025 Black & White AWARD

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