Summary
- Entries for the LensCulture Black & White Awards close on October 14, 2026.
- The total cash-award fund is $10,000.
- Winning photographers will exhibit in London in 2027.
Event Details
The black-and-white photographs in your archive still have a chance to reach a wider audience: the LensCulture Black & White Photography Awards 2026 accept entries until Wednesday, October 14, offering $10,000 in total cash awards and a winners’ exhibition in London in 2027.
If you already have a considered selection, this is the moment for a final edit. The aim is to choose photographs in which light, tone and composition carry the work, rather than rush through a handful of monochrome conversions.
One photograph or a cohesive series?
Single images and series made within the last decade are eligible. A free entry option is available; a series of up to ten images costs $45, with an optional written review for an additional $25. Enrolled students receive a 30% entry-fee discount.
For a series, consider whether each photograph adds something to the previous one. Two almost identical frames can weaken the edit even when both work individually. Being allowed to submit ten images does not mean you have to use every slot.
If you prepared work for the APOY 2026 black-and-white round, which closed in June, you can revisit that selection for this separate competition after checking its own entry conditions.
Cash awards and an exhibition in London
The $10,000 is the total cash-award fund, rather than a single prize for one photographer. The planned London exhibition in 2027 adds another reason to consider entering: an opportunity for the work to be seen in a physical space, beyond a screen.
There are 33 distinctions: six winners, seven jurors’ picks and 20 finalists. Photographers retain copyright; limited use of selected work is permitted to promote the artists and the competition.
What to prepare before submitting
The official upload guidance calls for high-quality JPEGs measuring at least 1,200 pixels on the longest side, with 2,000 pixels recommended as a better option. The maximum file size is 10 MB, and filenames must be shorter than 50 characters.
Enter through the official competition page using a LensCulture account. Check the final cost of your chosen entry and complete the process early: an October 14 deadline alone does not establish the closing time in Greece.
What we think
For photographers with a finished body of monochrome work, this call deserves a careful look, particularly for its exhibition opportunity. We would not rush to pay for a series just because the deadline is approaching: a rigorous edit matters more than a last-minute submission.
Frequently asked questions
Is the written review included in the series entry fee?
No. It is an optional extra, so budget for it separately if you want that service.
Is the entry deadline also the exhibition date?
No. Entries close on October 14, 2026, while the winners’ exhibition in London is planned for 2027.
