1ST PRIZE: FELICIA SIMION

I chose this photograph for the strength of its presence and the subtle complexity it conveys. The rich textures, heavy folds, and deep blacks of the child’s costume, together with the dignity of his attitude, evoke an almost timeless figure of authority. What at first appears playful reveals a far more serious undertone, suggesting a fragile yet compelling performance of adulthood. – LEA THOUIN

This photograph shows how black and white photography lets you travel in time, whether to your own lifetime or long before, to archaic times. A simple composition, a bit of an environmental background, and a model wearing his heart on his sleeve is all it takes to create a profoundly meaningful image.  But it takes a lot of work to refine and get your photography to this level. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – From the series The Playground.

When I was 19, I found myself confronting the end of childhood, and staring down the beginning of adulthood, which caused a violent disruption in everything I knew and was before. In an attempt to understand my own “ripening”, I started to document the changes in thought and action of my 4-year-old cousin Felix (now seven), who was growing up in a small village in Romania, which many generations of my family have called home throughout their lives.

In this quiet corner of Romania, subdued by transition and aging population, Felix spends his holidays living with my Grandmother, who almost never leaves the village. His childhood is quite untouched by modern technology, and instead, Felix grows and learns through traditional avenues. Rather than spending hours staring into a tablet’s glowing screen, he plays in the sand and finds joy in swimming in a small blow-up pool from the supermarket. He offers to teach me to ride the bike and finds himself mesmerized by the Milky Way in warm summer nights, while people from the village fill the dusty alleys on their way home from yet another evening of drinking with their neighbors.

By watching Felix’s games and reactions to the new, the unknown, I discovered a way back from the gradual shift into adulthood, in an effort to regain the raw, unaltered spirit cultivated during childhood. I would be the photographer–the storyteller–and he would act out the roles of various characters: a blonde little girl he named Lola, a dog, a cowboy or a firm young man. Time would be lost (or gained?) by make-believe situations that would put the anxiety of becoming on hold.

In The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupery writes: “And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”

I therefore entered a world I was trying to keep and to protect, that was nothing else but the representation of my own childhood. My own playground, with no rush and constraints, no virtual connection – a reality I thought I would lose if I became an adult. Documenting Felix’s growth in a technology-free environment offered me the chance to find silence self-sufficient, and to search for my true identity, without being afraid the process. Each morning, the rising sun would swallow up the fear of growing old with its nourishing light, making Felix’s courtyard and its surroundings become my playground once again.

2ND PRIZE: YAQIN LI

This photograph imposes itself on the viewer; one has no choice but to look. Its intensity lies in its oppressive quality, reinforced by the close framing and stark contrasts. I was particularly struck by the subtle presence of a drop of sweat, whose transparency seems to carry the full nuance of the black-and-white palette. – LEA THOUIN

The photographer builds drama and creates a cinematic scene by using black and white for an anti-portrait. The character is reduced to a minimum: no environmental background, no colors, no gestures or actions, not even a full face. Still, the portrait is intense and revealing, the story is there, and the viewer is eager to know more. Well done for the daring and very artistic manner to embrace portraiture! – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – HeChun.

ROLAND KERSTING

The absence of color doesn’t mean dullness or a lack of creativity. On the contrary, this photographer proves that they can create an appealing, fun, and memorable shot with mostly black and white patches, a few lines, and a silhouette. The space is used admirably, the leading lines are simple and efficient, and the fact that one of them starts from the character’s heart is playful and impactful. This abstract composition, surreal as it might be, won’t pass unnoticed. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Leipzig, August 2025.

MYRIAM AADLI

The overlapping of dynamic and static energy is mesmerizing and generous in visual cues. This black and white composition is beautifully constructed to document a unique moment in time and invites the viewer to recognize their own reminiscences in the scene. The aesthetics removes distractions and makes the photograph much more personal. It becomes as much about the viewer as it is about an unknown kid running with a dog. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – In November 2024, I returned from a photography trip to Cuba. From the moment I landed, Cuba proved that it understood that photography is above all a human connection. It hits you with the smell of cigars and strong (and not particularly tasty) coffee, old American cars travelling against the flow of time, and people who smile even when they have almost nothing. The music manages to enter the frame even without sound, and your heart dances.

The ability to produce stories through photography depends less on the physical place we are in and more on our conscious, deliberate and intentional place, moving from documentary photography to personal documentary photography. In order to produce an aesthetic and interesting personal photograph. It depends on our inspiration and imagination. Using the camera settings to create the compression and precision that our eyes are incapable of and in our bodies to document unusual angles. Vision of location as a set of creative materials converging in a frame.

Multi-layered photography through attention and framing of light and darkness, movement and stillness, textures, eyes and different depths of field, transforms a document of reality into a personal document by choice. Photography is not reality. It is the product of many choices made at a given moment. Choices that also allow the viewer to interpret their reality. I chose to photograph with a tacit agreement, an encounter. So I may seem triggered.

MICHAEL KNAPSTEIN

The photographer treats visual layers like chapters of a book, building the story and the composition on a very solid narrative line. The viewer is led through time and space, infusing their experience with fictional and personal memories. The clarity and depth are outstanding, the picture resembling more a movie set that keeps changing than a two-dimensional frame. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Swing of Time.

ANNA REZNIKOV

What an intimate and sensitive take on the playfulness and innocence of youth! The lighting design does justice to the composition and adds a sense of depth and movement. It creates a hide-and-seek game that captures the viewer’s attention, lifts their mood, and opens up their hearts. It’s impossible not to care, not to be caught in the child’s universe. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – A girl on the autism spectrum playing with a curtain.

MAGDALENA HAŁOŃ

Portraiture is one of the oldest photographic genres, and still, photographers don’t cease to impress us with new perspectives and styles. To capture the gracious, seraphic expression of the model, the photographer breaks the rules and tunes each parameter on the same frequency. There is no need for color, contrast, clarity, pose, or frame positioning. Tunnel vision does it all. – LIFE FRAMER

ALAIN MICHELS

The artistry of street photography is to capture moments that show us the diversity of life and provide food for thought. Is this the story of a city, a family, or an encounter? It may very well be about all or none of them. The photographer did a very good job at using light to create a strong focal point, keeping the frame clean, and adding a subtle leading line to guide the viewer towards the main subject. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – From a series made in Lisbon in February 2026.

ALES KRIVEC

Despite featuring a spectacular view, what strikes the viewer is not bare beauty, but a powerful narrative. The story shines through like sunshine through the clouds. The contrast between the minuscule human establishments and the grandiose mountains tells the story of belongingness, bonding, and interconnectedness. An artful composition that takes the viewer back to the oldest stories in humankind’s book. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Cottages in the Dolomites. I really like Black and white photography as sometimes it’s easier to show the story with the image without any distractions.

MAX RAULFF

The most difficult part about being a photographer is noticing the world around you and deciding what you want to say and how you want to deliver the message. Although the photographer is not standing in front of the lens, this photograph conveys their emotions, mindset, and thoughts. The composition doesn’t play by the rules, with most of the elements in the frame trying to hide the focal point, and still, one can feel the intensity of the moment, the passion, the joy of love. Not because the photographer pressed the shutter at the right moment, but because they felt it, too. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – The Kiss. One of my favourite pictures taken during an erasmus semester in Rome. It was very late in the night – or rather very early in the morning – and my friend and artist Antovani, who is a Brazilian and very crazy, dragged me into this Brazilian bar for “one last drink”, where I caught this photo. I’ve had (and still have) the habit of dragging a beaten-up old Fujifilm camera with me everywhere I go, and that night, that paid off.

FX PELISSIER

Contours and shapes that make one curious, an undeniable whimsicality, and a powerful concept are all features of this photograph. Pose, gestures, and face expressions are thoughtfully chosen to silence your thoughts and let intuition speak for once. The composition is beautifully executed, minimalist and fluid, enhancing the serenity of the message and highlighting the photographer’s artistic voice. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Posture of peace, sovereign presence.

In this series, Cleopatra wears neither crown nor scepter. And yet, she reigns. Her face, immersed in absolute black, is cut sharply against a neutral background. The light does not reveal — it sculpts. The contrast between the black body and the white garment transforms the figure into a timeless icon.

Her raised palms do not impose force, but silence. This universal gesture draws a gentle boundary, an invitation to slow down and listen. Cleopatra is not a historical figure here. She is an archetype: calm power, dignity, mastery.

MATTEO LAVA

A photograph is the sum of decisions that ultimately reveal the photographer’s mindset, beliefs, and emotions regarding their subject. From this picture, one can get the mood of the moment, the web of clouds coming and going, the gracious collaboration between man and horse, and the implacable face of the lake. No actions, just feelings and sensations brought to life by the artful blend of light and shadows. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – I took this series of photographs last winter. I tried to intrigue the viewer by giving the images a dark force, to connect horse and rider in a sort of image made of dark tones and areas of light and to bring out the gloom of the lake landscape.

ERIKA HOWARD

The chiaroscuro effect in this black and white portrait is exceptional, highlighting the photographer’s technical and lighting skills, but also their knowledge of art history and composition. Nevertheless, the effect isn’t used for the purpose of using a fancy lighting design, but to emphasize the model’s features, accentuate their gaze, and convey their mood and personality. Impressive technical skills serve the inner sensitivity of the artist. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – In my work, I try to celebrate the essence of humanity in all its diversity.

ASAKO NARUTO

This photograph is pure poetry, and the black and white aesthetic couldn’t have suited it better. The level of artistry is impressive. Recognizable silhouettes localize the story, but the mix of textures enriches the symbolism and builds up the plot. The gray background, simple as it is, creates the atmosphere and allows the viewer to get lost in the sea of feelings. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – From the series All the Fading Words.

MICHAEL WIRTH

The photographer makes excellent use of the black and white aesthetic, composing the entire frame with just contours, contrast, and negative space. None of the elements is revealing by itself, but together, they produce a moving and memorable harmony that starts conversations and engages the viewer. The image flows freely, and the thoughts follow it seamlessly. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Social Unrest, Paris Bastille, France.

MAHESH BALASUBRAMANIAN

A chorus of silhouettes coming right at you is an unusual angle that takes the viewer by surprise and almost makes them get out of the way. The picture is dynamic, vibrant, and exciting. The movement is within reach, the wind is in your hair, and the birds’ screams reach your ear. You don’t have to imagine yourself there; the photograph transports you there instantly. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Flight and Horizon. Birds scatter across an open sky above figures on the ground. Movement fills the frame, balancing chaos with quiet human moments.

BERTA VITERI RAMÍREZ

Resembling a painting more than a photograph and honoring the ‘painting with light’ definition of photography, this image takes us into the deep, dark forest where the white hero lives. It’s impressive what imagination can do and how a mundane nature scene can transform into a full story if only you are pointed in the right direction by a creative photograph and a small, but mighty focal point. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Silent – A luminous ghost in the ink-black silence, serving as a single, fragile anchor of light within the void.

MARIO DIETRICH

The black and white aesthetic fits this composition like a glove. It empowers it by providing contrast, creating strong focal points, enhancing the separation between layers, and making the sun rays stand out. The frame becomes multidimensional, a carousel of visual elements that keep the viewer hooked. A beautiful, peaceful shot, like the day when it was taken. – LIFE FRAMER

VITALY GOLOVATYUK

Dramatic, dynamic, and documentative, this photograph intrigues the viewer and makes them curious, like a news title. Textures blend in smoothly, layers overlap naturally, and contrast fills the frame with energy. The composition is harmonious, although tumultuous, a rare combination that keeps the viewer engaged and delivers both mental and sensorial experiences. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Calm like a stone under the heat. A man steps into a massive bonfire during celebrations of Spring Festival.

ATSUYUKI WATANABE

What an impressive and artful way of composing with light! A street snapshot becomes an epic poem about who we are and who we want to be in the hands of a skillful photographer. The shadow of the future, the persona we impersonate, is a bigger focal point than our modest, present self. You think you enter a metro station, while in fact you enter the next chapter of your life. Well done! – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Apart. A figure moves through the lower corridor of the Oculus transit hub, caught mid-stride beneath the curved architecture. Their shadow falls on a different panel of floor entirely — separated, slightly ahead, going somewhere else. New York City, 2026.