2026 Black & White Photo Contest

“The reFocus wins, particularly being awarded International Discovery of the Year, undeniably triggered great interest in my work. This was evident in the number of visits to my website, of which I reached several hundred, and the number of invitations to interviews and participation in leading publications. I owe a lot to reFocus and how it presented my work to get it noticed by a wider audience.”

João Coelho

Angola

“Receiving this honor further bolstered my credibility and boosted my confidence. It has had a hugely positive impact on both a personal and professional level and is a great calling card. This award led to two print publications as well as many digital ones. It’s also opened and continues to open doors and unlock new opportunities within the industry - including not so long ago being able to get my work featured on a website I really wanted to partner with.”

Mario Tarantino

Spain

“reFocus is a great portal to the world, helping me to make a career with my photos.”

Antonio Flores

México

“Winning the reFocus Awards helped lend immense credibility to my work. This win shared the story of my photography way outside of my current network. This award has helped to validate my work as fine art, which is incredibly important as I prepare for a museum show.”

Bill Pack

United States

“Winning at the reFocus Awards was a real honor and a tremendous incentive. The competition is one of the most important in contemporary photography, with impressive work and an influential jury.”

João Coelho

Angola

“Your contest is not just a form of recognition but a real springboard to new professional opportunities. Thank you for creating a bridge between photographers and the global art scene.”

Jozef Danyi

Czechia

“Through the awards I've received at reFocus, I've had print sales and met collectors; being able to say I won an international award with you is a huge boost. Every aspect of the reFocus Awards is elevated.”

Jatenipat Ketpradit

Thailand

“This award significantly increased the international visibility of my work, thanks to the reFocus Awards’ high standards and global reach. This was important to me, as my photography aims to raise awareness of significant social issues. Seeing my image travel the globe was enormously satisfying, both as a photographer and as a person.”

João Coelho

Angola

“I have received awards in many international competitions, but winning the reFocus Awards was my greatest success. This award, especially the cash prize, had a meaningful impact on my life and those I love.”

Serkan Doğuş

Turkey

“Winning a reFocus Award affirmed years of artistic exploration and perseverance. It was a meaningful recognition that marked a milestone in my career.”

Jozef Danyi

Czechia

“Since receiving recognition from the reFocus Awards, I’ve been fortunate to gain several exciting collaboration opportunities. These include working with Taipei Fashion Week and Taiwanese designer brands such as Incoder,Tang Tsung Chien, PINHENG, Seven Pears Suit. As well as participating in art and brand projects with 333 Gallery, Hermès Taiwan, and other luxury labels. In addition, the award has helped me build a long-term creative partnership with the Taiwanese indie band Ero Gent, where I contribute visual direction and conceptual photography for their music releases and performances. I’m truly grateful that this recognition has opened doors in both the art and fashion worlds, and I’m happy to see how far-reaching the impact has been.”

Li Tung

Taiwan

“I’ve been fortunate to win awards in other competitions, but receiving this honor from the reFocus Awards was especially meaningful. I consider reFocus one of the most important platforms in international contemporary photography, and it was gratifying to have my work chosen from thousands of submissions by a highly respected jury.”

João Coelho

Angola

“Winning gave me something that I think is more valuable in the long run than a job or press coverage. And that was appreciating my work and giving me self-confidence in my work while motivating me to create and experiment.”

Laura Zalenga

Netherlands

“The reFocus wins, particularly being awarded International Discovery of the Year, undeniably triggered great interest in my work. This was evident in the number of visits to my website, of which I reached several hundred, and the number of invitations to interviews and participation in leading publications. I owe a lot to reFocus and how it presented my work to get it noticed by a wider audience.”

João Coelho

Angola

“Receiving this honor further bolstered my credibility and boosted my confidence. It has had a hugely positive impact on both a personal and professional level and is a great calling card. This award led to two print publications as well as many digital ones. It’s also opened and continues to open doors and unlock new opportunities within the industry - including not so long ago being able to get my work featured on a website I really wanted to partner with.”

Mario Tarantino

Spain

“reFocus is a great portal to the world, helping me to make a career with my photos.”

Antonio Flores

México

“Winning the reFocus Awards helped lend immense credibility to my work. This win shared the story of my photography way outside of my current network. This award has helped to validate my work as fine art, which is incredibly important as I prepare for a museum show.”

Bill Pack

United States

“Winning at the reFocus Awards was a real honor and a tremendous incentive. The competition is one of the most important in contemporary photography, with impressive work and an influential jury.”

João Coelho

Angola

“Your contest is not just a form of recognition but a real springboard to new professional opportunities. Thank you for creating a bridge between photographers and the global art scene.”

Jozef Danyi

Czechia

“Through the awards I've received at reFocus, I've had print sales and met collectors; being able to say I won an international award with you is a huge boost. Every aspect of the reFocus Awards is elevated.”

Jatenipat Ketpradit

Thailand

“This award significantly increased the international visibility of my work, thanks to the reFocus Awards’ high standards and global reach. This was important to me, as my photography aims to raise awareness of significant social issues. Seeing my image travel the globe was enormously satisfying, both as a photographer and as a person.”

João Coelho

Angola

“I have received awards in many international competitions, but winning the reFocus Awards was my greatest success. This award, especially the cash prize, had a meaningful impact on my life and those I love.”

Serkan Doğuş

Turkey

“Winning a reFocus Award affirmed years of artistic exploration and perseverance. It was a meaningful recognition that marked a milestone in my career.”

Jozef Danyi

Czechia

“Since receiving recognition from the reFocus Awards, I’ve been fortunate to gain several exciting collaboration opportunities. These include working with Taipei Fashion Week and Taiwanese designer brands such as Incoder,Tang Tsung Chien, PINHENG, Seven Pears Suit. As well as participating in art and brand projects with 333 Gallery, Hermès Taiwan, and other luxury labels. In addition, the award has helped me build a long-term creative partnership with the Taiwanese indie band Ero Gent, where I contribute visual direction and conceptual photography for their music releases and performances. I’m truly grateful that this recognition has opened doors in both the art and fashion worlds, and I’m happy to see how far-reaching the impact has been.”

Li Tung

Taiwan

“I’ve been fortunate to win awards in other competitions, but receiving this honor from the reFocus Awards was especially meaningful. I consider reFocus one of the most important platforms in international contemporary photography, and it was gratifying to have my work chosen from thousands of submissions by a highly respected jury.”

João Coelho

Angola

“Winning gave me something that I think is more valuable in the long run than a job or press coverage. And that was appreciating my work and giving me self-confidence in my work while motivating me to create and experiment.”

Laura Zalenga

Netherlands