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Color stepped aside in 2026—and honestly, it didn’t stand a chance. The Independent Photographer Awards 2026 put the spotlight squarely on black-and-white photography this year, proving once again that when you strip an image down to light, shadow, and timing, the truth hits harder. Judged by renowned monochrome master Jason M. Peterson, the competition set out to celebrate photography in its purest form—across street, landscape, portrait, and documentary worlds.
The 1st Prize went to Shannon Culpepper for “Stoic – Yellowstone National Park, Montana USA.” Shot in Lamar Valley during a snowstorm, the image captures a parent bison trudging forward with quiet authority while her calves—just outside the frame—play behind her. It’s survival, motherhood, and endurance wrapped into one icy, unforgettable moment inside Yellowstone National Park.
2nd Prize was awarded to Lou Fischer for “Winding Road – Door County, Wisconsin, USA.” Minimal yet moody, the photograph turns a simple road into a metaphor—drawing the eye forward and reminding us how black and white can make silence feel cinematic.
Taking 3rd Prize, Sanghamitra Sarkar delivered emotional depth with “Eyes of the Sea – A Bajao Child’s World, Southeast Asia.” A Bajao child emerges from the water wearing improvised goggles, eyes calm and curious. Behind him, boats and stilt houses float into view, grounding the image in a life shaped entirely by the ocean.
Together, these winning photographs prove something timeless: black and white doesn’t remove meaning—it sharpens it.
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#1. 1st Prize: "Stoic – Yellowstone National Park, Montana USA" by Shannon Culpepper
This image was taken in Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park during a snowstorm. This parent bison is trudging along ahead while her two juvenile bison (out of the frame) are playing tag in the snow and not following along behind her.
“The winter scene is simple and graphic, with a scale that goes beyond the size of the image. Single tree, single buffalo.” – Jason M. Peterson
#2. 2nd Prize: Winding Road – Door County Wisconsin, USA" by Lou Fischer
"This is a very photographic image. The pattern and composition in black and white. Amazing angle and depth." — Jason M. Peterson
#3. 3rd Prize: "Eyes of the Sea – A Bajao Child’s World, Southeast Asia" by Sanghamitra Sarkar
This black-and-white photograph portrays a child from the Bajao (Bajau) tribe, the legendary sea nomads. Wearing improvised diving goggles, the child emerges from the water with a calm, curious gaze, symbolizing a life shaped by the ocean. In the background, a small wooden boat carries other villagers across the rippling sea, while stilt houses rise along the horizon, grounding the scene in a floating maritime culture. The image reflects the deep bond between the Bajao people and the sea, where childhood, survival, and tradition are inseparably intertwined.
"Perfectly framed and timed, this photograph pulls the viewer directly into the heart of the Bajau world. By stripping away color, the photographer invokes a sense of profound timelessness, casting aside the modern world to focus on the enduring traditions of these legendary sea nomads" – The Independent Photographer Editors
#4. Finalist: "Anika" – Berlin, Germany by Leonard Drorian
Fashion portrait work shot in Berlin, Germany
#5. Finalist: "Lost in the dunes – Morocco" by Guillaume St-Amand
The nomad of the desert
#6. Finalist: "Sunrise – Bagan, Myanmar" by Dimple Agarwal
A country that was once the richest part of the British Empire now languishes under military rule, crushed further by Western sanctions. At sunrise, in dusty, beautiful Bagan, a town dotted with about 3000 stupas and temples, this family sat down to have their morning meal.
#7. Finalist: "The boatman – Niger" by Ingetje Tadros
A boatman gazes over the Niger River, a quiet moment amidst the flow of life. Niger 2024
#8. Finalist: "The World Is Yours – New York, USA" by Mike Szpot
Mist Garden at Flushing-Meadows Corona Park, Queens, 2022
#9. Finalist: "Stupa Stupa Kathmandu, Nepal, 2024" by Lux Corvo
A solitary figure moves through the foreground of a stupa, briefly intersecting with the architectural structure and suspended prayer flags. The image contrasts movement and stillness, placing human presence against a monumental and geometric backdrop.
#10. Finalist: "Jineteras – Havana, Cuba, 1997" by Bela Doka
The Special Period in Time of Peace (“Período especial”) in Cuba was a euphemism for an extended period of economic crisis that began in 1989, mostly due to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The period radically transformed the Cuban society and its economy, as it decreased the use of cars, and overhauled industry, health, and diet countrywide. A time during which most people were forced to live without the many goods they had become used to.
In Summary
What was the theme of the Independent Photographer Awards 2026?
The 2026 theme focused exclusively on black-and-white photography across all genres.
Who judged the competition?
The competition was judged by fine art photographer Jason M. Peterson.
Who won 1st Prize?
Shannon Culpepper won 1st Prize for his photograph “Stoic,” shot in Yellowstone National Park.
What makes the winning images stand out?
They combine emotional storytelling, strong composition, and the timeless power of monochrome.
Where can viewers see more winning photos?
The Independent Photographer Awards share featured images via their newsletter and social platforms.
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