These Are the 2024's Best Black & White Photos (12 Pics)

Edited By: Bhavesh B.

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The reFocus Awards have revealed the winners of their prestigious Black & White Photo Contest, and the images are nothing short of breathtaking.

Black-and-white photography, known for its ability to capture raw emotion and striking contrasts, takes center stage in these powerful winning images. From Karylnne Wintels' artistic shot of contrasting cats to Roberta Vagliani's captivating classroom portrait in Zanzibar, each photo tells a unique story. The contest, which honors both professional and non-professional photographers, highlights the beauty and impact of this timeless art form.

Scroll down to check out some of the exceptional winning images from this year's contest.

1. “Feline Harmony” by Karlynne Wintels. First Place Non-professional, Gold Non-professional Street

2024 Black & White Photo Contest Winners

The Dutch photographer skillfully used the stark contrast of black-and-white photography to capture black cats against light backgrounds and white cats on dark backgrounds.

2. “The Right to Know” by Roberta Vagliani. First Place Professional, Gold Professional Photojournalism

A poignant portrait from a school in Zanzibar.

3. “Andalusian Stallion at Liberty” by Ida Kehoe. Gold Non-professional Domestic Animals

The Andalusian Stallion is a breed of horse that originated in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in the region of Andalusia, Spain. They are one of the oldest horse breeds in the world and are known for their elegance, athleticism, and intelligence.

4. “Half Brothers” by Kyriakos Kaziras. Third Place Professional, Gold Professional Wildlife

Portrait of two cheetah brothers.

5. “Romance in the Cottonwoods” by Michael Paul. Gold Professional Wildlife

Two moose together in the Wyoming wilderness.

Related: The Sea is Captured Perfectly in 20 Black and White Photos

6. “A Bite of the Big Apple” by Salvatore Corso. Gold Professional Event/People

"Everything happens, in New York City. Individuals who look tiny and insignificant, in comparison to the immensity of this place, can appear as large as buildings at street level, on the most important day of their lives."

7. “Winter at Cape Disappointment” by Patrick Campbell. Gold Non-professional Landscapes

During the winter months, huge waves pound the shore at Cape Disappointment on the Washington coast.

8. “Mors tua vita mea (Your death is my life)” by Christian Basetti. Gold Non-professional Architecture, Fine Art

Nature relentlessly reclaims abandoned spaces, breathing new life into them. As the ancient Romans aptly put it: "Mors tua vita mea"—your end becomes my beginning.

9. “This Ain't My First Rodeo” by Kate Cash. Gold Non-professional People

A young girl sits attentively on the ground in a rodeo event, observing the happenings with wistful interest.

10. “Aghori Sadhu, Varanasi, India” by David Stoltz. Gold Non-professional Portrait

The Aghori Sadhus are a mystical Hindu sect found in Varanasi, India. They worship Shiva and the goddess Kali, embracing the dark and the divine. Aghoris seek spiritual liberation by rejecting societal norms, living in cremation grounds, and practicing rituals involving human skulls, ashes, and other unconventional methods.

11. “Wave Washing on Iceberg, Antarctica” by Jeff Schewe. Gold Non-professional Landscapes

Antarctica's icebergs are majestic, floating monoliths calved from glaciers and ice shelves. Ranging from small bergy bits to massive ice islands, they drift through the Southern Ocean, influencing marine ecosystems and reflecting the continent's dramatic, climate-driven transformations.

Related: Incredible Winners of the 2022 Black & White Photo Awards

12. “Morning Light” by David Zlotky. Gold Professional, Film/Analog, Fine Art

"Sometimes the photography gods present us with just the right play of light in just the right place to create a magical scene. I photographed this example on film using a Hasselblad camera. Lens flare created pentagonal shapes and streaks of light that added to the atmosphere quality."