“Street photography begins with honesty. It doesn’t wait for perfection or performance. It asks us to notice what everyone else walked past,” explains Dimpy Bhalotia, Co-founder and Creative Director, Pure Street Photography.

Since its launch in 2020, the Pure Street Photography Awards have quickly become one of the world’s leading competitions dedicated exclusively to street photography. Now the prestigious awards have announced their 2026 winners – eight outstanding street shots across the Open and Black and White categories.

After last year’s success, when more than 25,000 people visited the winners’ exhibition in Mumbai in six days – making it India’s first dedicated street photography exhibition – this year’s winners’ images alongside 158 finalists’ photos will be exhibited from November 20 to 22 at Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur, India.

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Open CategoryGrand Winner


Taken at one of France’s most prestigious horse derbies “Prix de Diane” (Image credit: Daniel Kashi)

Chantilly June 2025 by Daniel Kashi (France)

Judge’s Comment: “I was really drawn to the abstract nature of this image of reflection. It’s a complex, atmospheric clash of activity and the band of clouds captured at the top of the frame gives it a surreal, Daliesque quality.” – Fiona Shields, Head of Photography, The Guardian


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First, Second & Third Place

Image 1 of 3

Crowd of people, including a man holding a flatbread, a woman with red flowers, and a baby, surrounded by raised hands under a clear blue sky

This photograph was made during a religious celebration in Southern Italy

(Image credit: Leone Von Dizic)

A person in pink clothing and a heart-patterned hat takes a selfie outside a large brick building, while another person stands in the background

Photographed in front of Tokyo Station

(Image credit: Taichi Naitou)

A man in a suit stands with hands behind his back, facing people walking ahead inside a sunlit building. Large shadows cover parts of the scene

This photograph was taken at the entrance of the Cathedral of Catania in October 2025, just a few minutes before sunset

(Image credit: Marco Cajazzo)

Black and White CategoryGrand Winner


At the heart of the Lambe Sujo and Caboclinhos Festival in Sergipe, a young boy looks out at the world through the lens of his heritage. Surrounded by his elders, he carries on his skin and in his expression the resilience, pain, and beauty of one of Brazil’s most powerful folk traditions (Image credit: Cesare Simioni)

Soul Beneath the Paint by Cesare Simioni (Brazil)

Judge’s Comment: “Indeed this is a great photograph. Humanism is one of the characteristics very important of Street Photography. It’s a very impressive image. The black and white is perfect, as well as the composition and the light measurement.

“As dear Dimpy used to say, as well as me, this is a ‘oh my goodness, wow’. Congratulations to this deserved award.” – Rui Palha, Internationally Acclaimed Street Photographer

First, Second & Third Place

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Black-and-white photo of five sailors in uniform drinking and smoking outside a building

This image captures something deeply human – the need for connection after moments of reflection and duty

(Image credit: Chris Mozyro)

First Place

First Place
From Salute to Cheers by Chris Mozyro (United Kingdom)

Black and white photo of a subway train with a woman standing in the open door looking out while blurred figures move on the platform

Untold Story was made on a New York City subway platform during an ordinary commute

(Image credit: Jonathan Varjabedian)

Black and white photo of a person with an umbrella walking down a rainy street between buildings with wet pavement and falling rain

Taken during the rainy season in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico, this image was made in the middle of a sudden downpour that transformed the street into a temporary river

(Image credit: Sven Delaye)

Pure Street Photography Awards

Founded by award-winning photographers and curators Dimpy Bhalotia and Kamal Kumaar Rao, Pure Street Photography is an international platform dedicated exclusively to street photography, offering awards, exhibitions, grants, memberships, interviews and educational initiatives.

With a global audience of more than 300,000 photographers and photography enthusiasts, the platform champions both emerging and established photographers through thoughtful curation, meaningful recognition and long-term artistic development.

For more information, visit the Pure Street Photography Awards website.

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