reFocus Awards - Black and White Photo Contest

reFocus Awards is an international photography competition organization. The Black and White Photo Contest is one of reFocus Awards' themed competitions, focused exclusively on monochrome work. Submissions are accepted across 19 categories: Abstract, Architecture, Landscape, Portrait, Street, Wildlife, and others.

The judging is unusually heavyweight relative to the contest's size — the panel includes Gabriel H. Sanchez (Photo Editor, The New York Times), Irene Opezzo (Photo Director, Robb Report), Rasha Kahil (Creative Director, HTSI Financial Times), Karin Mueller (Condé Nast Traveller UK), and Daniel Melamud (Editor, Rizzoli), alongside curator Carol Olona. The structure is a two-step blind review process with jury selection followed by a public People's Vote Award.

Cash prizes total $4,000 across categories, with top winners receiving $2,500+. Beyond cash, winners receive a custom engraved crystal trophy, a published interview, press release and digital badges, public artist directory profile, placement in the winner's gallery, and international media exposure.

Entry fees are pay-per-entry: $25–$30 (Non-Pro/Pro) for a single image; $40–$50 for a series of 2–5 images. Additional category entries are 50% off. Bundle packs are available: 5 credits for $88–$105, or 10 credits for $175–$210.

Eligibility is open globally to professional and non-professional photographers. Previously published or award-winning images are accepted, and images may be entered to multiple contests simultaneously. AI-generated images are not accepted. Submissions are JPEG or PNG, minimum 1,500 pixels on the longest edge, max 10 MB, no watermarks or logos. The 2026 deadline is May 25; results announced June 17.