Childhood is a pivotal time in our lives that beautifully represents a journey of growth. As children, we have the chance to explore the world while we aim to discover more about ourselves and our surroundings. We can live life in a carefree fashion, since being a kid is all about making mistakes and learning from them. Yet, being so young can be equally as scary as it is exciting. Growing up and becoming an adult with responsibilities is often intimidating, especially when you have the whole wide world before you. The B&W CHILD photography contest gives photographers the opportunity to display this emotional juxtaposition–which is typically felt and not seen–on a visual platform.
In 2015, the competition’s judges received over 5,000 entries depicting the very best monochromic photography of children, encapsulating the essence of innocence and childhood. Amongst these photos, a diverse range of kids were captured in various emotional states. Some are serious and seem to be pondering a complex question. Others are playing and exude energy. Most importantly, the contest’s snapshots represent children from all over the world, giving us an inside look at the universality of what it’s like to be a kid in the 21st century.
Above: Untitled by Ashley Carlton, USA (3rd Place in The Silhouette Category, Second Half)
The Breakfast Club by Karen Osdieck, USA (1st Place in The Silhouette Category, First Half)
Happiness by Chee Keong Lim, Malasya (3rd Place in The Lifestyle Category, Second Half)
Playing by Chee Keong Lim, Malaysia (3rd Place in The Documentary & Street Category, First Half)
Out There by Trisha Clancy, Qatar (3rd Place in The Silhouette Category, First Half)
Praying by Chee Keong Lim, Malaysia (1st Place in The Lifestyle Category, First Half)
Wish by Ewa Cwikla, The Netherlands (1st Place in The Fine Art Category, First Half)
Balkan by Istvan Kerekes, Hungary (2nd Place in The Documentary & Street Category, Second Half)
The Butterfly Pet by Kelly Tyack, Australia (3rd Place in The Fine Art Category, Second Half)
B by Lee Jeffries, UK (1st Place in The Portrait Category, First Half)
The Eye Face by Andi Abdul Halil, Indonesia (1st Place in The Conceptual And Photo Manipulation Category, First Half)
Untitled by Rhiannon Logsdon, USA (2nd Place in The Conceptual And Photo Manipulation Category, First Half)
Rose by Uliana Kharinova, Russia (1st Place in The Fine Art Category, Second Half)