While regular practice is the ultimate way to become a good photographer, critiquing other people’s images is also an important aspect of your development.
The more types of photography you observe, the more critical your eye becomes – an important skill needed for producing your own images.
And now, with the Exposure One Awards having opened its People’s Vote Award as part of the 2026 Photographer of the Year, what better way to not only see a vast array of new monochrome imagery, but to hone your eye further.
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Each year, the black-and-white contest – which also accepts sepia and single-color-tone images – puts all entries nominated by judges for the Photographer of the Year Award forward for a People’s Vote Award, too.
At this year’s event, images across some 20 categories have been nominated, with themes including wildlife, architecture, abstraction, nudity, portraiture, photojournalism and landscapes.
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To cast your vote, simply head to the People’s Vote webpage, spend some time critiquing the nominated shots – there are many, by the way – and select your winner.
So far, almost 30,000 votes have been cast and, according to the rules, you’re allowed to vote once per day until the deadline, which is 05:00 BST on October 12 (be sure to convert this to your local time).
If you’re keen on taking part, then my tip is to vote once per category, so you’re exposed to the breadth of this year’s nominated images.
Personally, I’ve been impressed by Brazilian photographer Ronaldo Andrade’s shot titled Travessia, or “Crossing”. The scene depicts Pesca da Tainha, a traditional artisanal mullet fishing ritual that takes place annually between May 01 and July 10 in Florianópolis, Brazil.
I’m also a fan of Parisian Pierre-Yves Cruaud’s image of a pair of old hands on top of one another. A simple yet intriguing frame, it’s a great example of how seemingly everyday moments, like resting one’s hand on a table, can make great pictures.
The event organizers haven’t yet said when the People’s Vote winners will be announced, but keep an eye on the event webpage for updates. We’ll also be covering further updates about the 2026 Exposure One Photographer of the Year Award here on Digital Camera World, so stay tuned.
Here’s our monochrome expert, Seb Oakley’s pick of the best cameras for black and white photography.