ABOUT THE MONO AWARDS
THE COMPETITION
Now in its seventh year, The Mono Awards, presented by Synology, is dedicated to the art of black and white photography. The competition is hosted by Australian Photography and Capture magazines.
WHO CAN ENTER?
The Mono Awards is open to photographers from around the world.
WHAT IS MONO?
Images entered in The Mono Awards competition must be black and white or monochrome. For the purposes of this competition a black and white image is defined as one that only includes shades of black, white and grey. A monochrome image may only include shades of one colour, such as a sepia image. Images with more than one hue, such as split-toned, spot-colour, or colour images are not eligible. Images may be converted from colour to black and white or monochrome in post-production. Images may be captured digitally or on film.
ENTRY PRICING & DEADLINES
EARLY BIRD
$25 (3 February to 23 March 2025)
STANDARD
$30 (24 March to 4 May 2025)
LAST MINUTE
$39 (5 May to Sunday 8 June 2025)
All pricing in Australian Dollars (AUD). AUD$25 is approximately equivalent to USD$17, EUR€17, GBP£14.
Entries close 11.59pm (AEST) Sunday 8 June 2025.
Australian Photography magazine's 2023 Mono Awards special, published in October-November 2023.
PRIZES
Winners and Runners-Up will share in a prize pool valued at more than $16,000 including A$12,000 in prize money and three Synology 4-Bay NAS systems and hard drives valued at $1,499 each. For more information about prizes click here.
IMAGE PREPARATION
• Images must have been captured on or after 1 January 2023.
• Images must be in JPEG (.jpg) or PNG (.png) format and should be at least 2500 pixels on the longest edge. Image file size must be no larger than 5MB.
• Do not include watermarks, logos or any other branding on your images.
If you have any problems uploading your entry please email us at [email protected]. During business hours we'll try to get back to you the same day.
CATEGORIES
There are three categories in The Mono Awards: People, Places, Animals. You can enter one or more categories as many times as you like. For more information about the categories check the terms and conditions.
Images must be wholly photographic in origin. Images created wholly or in part with the assistance of artificial intelligence, 3D, or illustration processes may not be entered.
CAN I USE GENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE?
No. This is a photography competition and, as such, any entered images must have been entirely captured with a camera (digital, film or phone camera). Images created or edited using generative artificial intelligence may not be entered.
CAN I USE AI NOISE REDUCTION AND SHARPENING?
Yes, but... The use of AI noise reduction and sharpening technology is allowed, as long as the integrity of the original photographic image is maintained.
WHAT ABOUT DIGITAL IMAGE EDITING?
Up to a point. Adjustments may be made to cropping, noise, sharpness, shadows, highlights and contrast, including dodging and burning. Stitched panoramas, focus stacks, and HDR images, where two or more exposures are captured in the same location and merged to form a single image, are also permitted. Other composite images are not permitted. Cloning of dust spots, scratches, and minor distractions is permitted. Digital lens and perspective correction is permitted.
DO I KEEP MY COPYRIGHT?
Absolutely. We only ask for a limited-use authorisation to use your photographs for the sole purpose of running and promoting The Mono Awards.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
You can find our terms and conditions here. The terms and conditions contain important information about the competition – please read them before entering. Our terms and conditions have been approved by the PhotoWatchDog, the advocate for fair photo competitions in Australia.
RESULTS
Winners, Runners-Up, and Top 30 entries in each category will be published in Australian Photography (Oct-Nov 2025 issue, available mid September 2025) Announcements will also be made online at australianphotography.com, capturemag.com.au and themonoawards.com.au in September 2025.
Certificates will be emailed in September to entrants who receive Commended, Highly Commended, Finalist, Top 10, Runner-Up or Winner awards.
ABOUT US
The Mono Awards launched in 2019. The competition is run by Yaffa Media Pty Ltd, publisher of Australian Photography and Capture, Australia's most trusted photography media brands.
GOT A QUESTION?
Email us at [email protected]
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