1ST PRIZE: Nigel Malone

“This is a wonderful portrait of a bull-ride competitor. The proud gaze of the well-dressed, young man juxtaposed with the under-the-stairs location is compelling. Shot on film, the expansive tones are lovely, and I can imagine how beautiful this would look as a darkroom-printed photograph.”— Monica Denevan

2ND PRIZE: Rajiv Shenoy

“This winter landscape appears deceptively simple. Yet, the extreme conditions, the mysterious hole in the ice that mimics the barely visible sun, and the strangely ominous shadow on the ice tell a different story. The subtlety of this restrained variation on white on white is well done.”— Monica Denevan 

3RD PRIZE: Olivia Mazzola

“A breathtaking monochrome portrait that brings to mind the mid-century fashion images of Lillian Bassman. Stripping away color to rely entirely on the power of light, shadow, and movement, the photographer beautifully balances the dramatic, fan-like pleats against a palette of soft, subtle monochromatic tones, while the motion blur adds a layer of abstraction, dissolving the figure into a kinetic, painterly presence. It is a powerful testament to the strength of black and white photography, a fleeting moment transformed into a timeless piece of art.”– The Independent Photographer Editors