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Showcasing the Best in Color Photography: AAP Magazine 43 Contest Winners

Posted on November 07, 2024 - By Sandrine Hermand-Grisel
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Showcasing the Best in Color Photography: AAP Magazine 43 Contest Winners
Showcasing the Best in Color Photography: AAP Magazine 43 Contest Winners
We're thrilled to announce the winners of AAP Magazine’s 43rd photo contest, dedicated to the vibrant theme of Colors. This edition celebrates the diverse ways in which photographers capture the richness and depth of color in the world around us. Colors are far more than simple shades—they're powerful storytellers, reflecting the range of emotions, moods, and moments we experience every day.

This year’s selection showcases 25 talented photographers from 15 countries and 4 continents. From striking, bold palettes to delicate pastels, each image demonstrates a unique approach to color that elevates both the aesthetic and emotional impact of the scene. These photographers use color not only as a visual element but as a fundamental layer that enhances storytelling and evokes sensory experience.

In AAP Magazine 43, we invite you to explore these compelling perspectives on color, which underscore the magic that hues bring to the art of photography.

The Winner of AAP Magazine 43 Colors is Fabien Dendiével (France) with the series United Colors

Fabien Dendiével

Alpha Beer from the series United Colors © Fabien Dendiével


On my return from a trip to Athens, I captured this photo. I’d bought a few beers at the airport to toast my week in Greece. As I opened one mid-flight, the light became beautifully soft, perfectly illuminating the beer I’d set on the tray. With one shot left on my Pentax 67, I seized the moment. Curious glances came from nearby passengers, but I’m used to it by now. I hadn’t thought of William Eggleston’s iconic photo of the cocktail on a plane at the time, but I like to think this image might bring it to mind.
www.fabiendendievel.com
@fabien_dendievel
All about Fabien Dendiével


The Second Place Winner is Pietro Di Giambattista (Italy) with the series Romani People

Pietro Si Giambattista

Gypsy Woman from the series Romani People © Pietro Di Giambattista


This project has been carried out since 1999, both in the old camps– where people lived in extreme conditions, with no water and no electricity – and in the new camps– which are legally authorised, and where different ethnic and religious groups cohabit together. We are living in a moment of disconcerting approval of hateful feelings which result in stigmatizations, hostile statements, incitement to discrimination of the other, within a climate which is sadly fostered by some of the highest institutional offices. Roma and Sinti are privileged victims. People still cannot dominate the inclination to deal with the uncertainty in life by finding an enemy, a culprit that could be blamed for one’s problems.Roma are the victims of century-long prejudices: they are child kidnappers, vagrants, lazy; theft runs in their blood, they force their children to beg… In 2008 a survey by S. Tosi Cambini, La Zingara Rapitrice (The Gipsy Kidnapper)was published,where the verdicts of Italian trials over ten years were examined.It was demonstrated that no missing child has ever been found in a travellers’ camp. Besides, to consider them as nomads is misleading, as they have not led an itinerant life for generations. Begging is almost exclusively practiced by women and children, who are proud to contribute to the support of the family. Today in Italy, 85% of the 180 thousand Roma people live in houses, have a job, pay the rent and are integrated. But the image that is used to represent this ethnic group is that of the Roma people who live in camps, dressed in rags, dirty and scroungy - only 26 thousand, 0,04% of the entire Italian population. Instead of a loud airing of views for mere propaganda purposes, we should seriously cope with these camps, real ghettos where a hideous form of racial segregation is carried out – a purulent wound in the conscience of a country that claims civilization.
@pdigiambattista
All about Pietro Di Giambattista


The Third Place Winner is Kaveh Maghsoudi (Iran) with the series 'One color but endless feelings'

Kaveh Maghsoudi

Blue from the series 'One color but endless feelings' © Kaveh Maghsoudi


Blue is a deep color with high ambiguity like the depths of the ocean. The ambiguity that is mixed with an unknown and invisible person in this blue and gives the audience a dumb and unfamiliar feeling and at the same time weightlessness and timelessness.
www.kavehmaghsoudi.com
@kavehmaghsoudii
All about Kaveh Maghsoudi
Merit Gallery
Verônica Alkmim França (Brazil/Sweden)

Verônica Alkmim França

Cinderellas from the series Sanctuarium Domesticum © Verônica Alkmim França


Image of an ongoing series being produced in the suburbs of Brazil, where poor families and some with no income struggle to survive. Due to the lack of resources, they improvise their homes with what little they have, get from others or find in rubbish dumps. Some borrow energy from their neighbours. These are individuals who live in a gap between this reality and the developments of the technological world. This is an interesting factor to note, because considering this condition, they are digitally excluded, without the opportunity to learn new skills, imperatively less able to consume, and therefore value domestic life more, surviving on what they can, creating and building aesthetically interesting environments.
www.veronicaaf.com
@veronicaalkmimfranca
All about Verônica Alkmim


Gabriel Wong (Canada)

Gabriel Wong

Lone Light in the Blue Abyss from the series Finding Blue © Gabriel Wong


Living in Toronto, it’s challenging to find spots untouched by light pollution due to the city’s towering skyscrapers and constant activity. This photo series explores using a single light source in dark settings. In each image, the subject holds a lantern that serves as the primary light, softly illuminating them and reflecting off surrounding water to create a gentle, secondary glow. I created this photo series to show that less can be more; a single light can guide you better than an overwhelming array of choices. The subjects are focused, highlighting that sometimes, one light is all you need to find your way.
@capturedbygabe.w
www.lifeshuttercount.com


Thierry Camus (France)

Thierry Camus

Hexagonal from the series Lines and Colors © Thierry Camus


My camera is my best friend and we are always together. We both love colors, lines and the unusual. What is the point of photographing the normal and the expected!?
en.tcphotos.fr
@tcphotosparis
All about Thierry Camus


Vivian Wan (United States)

Vivian Wan

Dance Troupe © Vivian Wan


This photograph reflects the photographer's exploration of the connection between fantasy, storytelling, and photography, with a focus on the evolution of staged images. Influenced by Victorian tableaux vivants, the images present a contemporary take, blending aspects of the real and the surreal to create visions that are both dreamlike and haunting.
vivianwan.studio
@vwan415


Olena Zubach (Ukraine)

Olena Zubach

Untitled#42 from “Forms” project, 2024 © Olena Zubach


In my work, I explore the relation of photographic imagery and painting. I use basic, almost ascetic forms. By combining them into a well thought-out geometric composition, I strive to achieve ideal simplicity. I believe that geometry is the language of nature, and art is the language of humanity. Therefore, I try to combine them in my artwork to create my own dimension of visual expression. Working on still lifes, I seek for a beauty in simplicity, in traditional forms that humanity has used for millennia. In today’s world of saturation, this minimalist project “Forms” provides an opportunity to distract from the superficial and focus on what’s fundamental.
@olena.zubach


Shawna Gibbs (United States)

Shawna Gibbs

Chicken Farmer from the series My Summer with Optimus Prime © Shawna Gibbs


My Summer with Optimus Prime is a collaborative family project between photographer, Shawna Gibbs, and her superhero-loving kids. Started in the summer of 2013, this is a personal, ongoing series that is meant to be whimsical and fun as we document our family adventures with two imaginary Autobot friends.
www.shawnagibbs.com


Abhishek Basak (India)

Abhishek Basak

Krishna with graffiti © Abhishek Basak


This image captures a harmonious dance between tradition and modernity. The vivid graffiti face, adorned with tribal patterns, symbolizes ancestral roots and the vibrancy of cultural heritage. From behind the door, a figure painted as Krishna emerges—a timeless deity peeking into the contemporary world. The blue face of Krishna contrasts with the bold, warm hues of the mural, bridging myth and modern art. Together, they tell a story of duality: the ancient coexisting with the new, the mystical with the urban. It invites reflection on identity, continuity, and the beauty of cultural synthesis in an ever-evolving world.
@abhishek.basak.714
All about Abhishek Basak


Kaat Stieber (The Netherlands)

Kaat Stieber

Orange Juicy from the series “Feathered Fables' © Kaat Stieber


In the captivating world of Kaat Stieber's latest fable series, 'collaboration' takes center stage, as the animal kingdom translates our everyday struggles with or without each other. Explore the surprising twists of life, filled with the magic of being together. Enjoy yourself in the tales full of wisdom and humor.
kaatstieber.com
@kaat_stieber_
All about Kat Stieber


Tom Flathers (United Kingdom)

Tom Flathers

Shades of Blue: Erling Haaland Training © Tom Flathers


As Manchester City Senior Photographer a key part of my role is capturing the players in training. In the image Haaland rises high to volley the ball with a blue sky behind. Manchester City’s brand is blue and so this image shows it well.
www.tomflathersphoto.com
@tomflathers_mcfc
All about Tom Flathers


Isabel Mombaerts (Belgium)

Isabel Mombaerts

Julio © Isabel Mombaerts


'Julio' is an evocative odyssey across contemporary Cuba, stretching east to west and unraveling the heart of an island shaped by resilience. Since the 1960s, Castro’s revolution declared Cuba a socialist state, igniting decades of palpable tension with the United States. Today, that isolation has deepened, affecting nearly every aspect of Cuban life. In 2023, Cuba faces its greatest trial: the ripple effects of the global pandemic, dwindling tourism, and the fading alliance with Russia have eroded the economy. Once-bustling hotels stand empty; streets carry a new quiet. 'Julio' captures how the Cuban people navigate this crossroads, balancing survival and pride with determination that feels both fierce and graceful. Yet Cuba’s colors, vibrance, and rhythm remain unbroken. Through 'Julio,' we explore the soulful cadence that defines the Cuban identity—a testament to a culture that, despite hardship, thrives in the dance between struggle and celebration.
www.isabelmombaerts.com
@isa.nvers.photography
All about Isabel Mombaerts


William Ropp (France)

William Ropp

Dive into a Dream from the series The color of compassion © William Ropp


As far back as I can remember I’ve been fascinated by the human being as a whole. This image is the perfect expression of this; the face is abnormally absent which, in my opinion, reinforces the mystery emanating from this character... is she looking at this landscape or is this landscape the projection of his own imagination? This fascination was first expressed through books (I devoured them daily), then through theatre (as a director), and finally (at the age of twenty-seven) through photography. I have a deep respect for human beings that I think is reflected in my photographs. My images come from the depths of the soul. They’re true – this cannot be faked.
william-ropp.com
All about William Ropp


Anna Biret (France/Poland)

Anna Biret

From the series The Color Movement © Anna Biret


*The Color Movement* is a photographic series capturing the harmonious play of color created by the dynamic movement of individuals. Each image reveals the fluid energy of people in motion, blending colors as if painting the air with their bodies. This series explores color as both a visual and emotional experience, using movement to uncover unexpected hues that emerge when people interact with space. The result is a vibrant visual symphony, where each movement tells a unique story of color, light, and human expression. I took selected photos in Mexico and Kyrgyzstan.
www.annabiret.com
@annabiret
All about Anna Biret


Chris Panas (Poland)

Chris Panas

The Edge Of The Deep Green Sea From the series Dreams © Chris Panas


The idea for the series was to capture ordinary moments/places/people but make them seem like something unique/dreamy was happening.
chrispanas.com
@chris.panas
All about Chris Panas


Marika Poquet (France)

Marika Poquet

Passing From the series Colors of Harar © Marika Poquet


I was wandering the streets of Harar and I suddenly saw this beautiful purple silhouette against this green wall and just clicked the shutter.
www.marikapoquet.com
All about Marika Poquet


Nicola Balestrazzi (Italy)

Nicola Balestrazzi

A Typical Day In The Caribbean From the series Warm Tones © Nicola Balestrazzi


A local young man is going to collect a few coconuts in the morning as his daily chore. This shot was taken on Corn Island, Nicaragua.
@nicolabalestrazzi
All about Nicola Balestrazzi


Emmanuel Monzon (France/United States)

Emmanuel Monzon

Around Mexico and USA From the series Urban Sprawl Emptiness © Emmanuel Monzon


In my artwork there is no judgment, no denunciation, only the picture itself. If I could sum up the common theme of my photos, it would be about emptiness, about silence. My pictures try to extract from the mundane urban landscape a form of estheticism. Where most people only pass through, I stop and look for some form of poetic beauty. I like repetition, I like series, and I like driving around.
admonzon.format.com
@emmanuelmonzonphotography
All about Emmanuel Monzon


Elias Achy (Lebanon)

Elias Achy

It’s a Sign From the series Hidden in Chaos © Elias Achy


An homage to Beirut: Amidst it’s vibrant streets, this photograph reveals the hidden simplicity I seek as an artist in the urban geometry of this beloved city.
@achyelias
All about Elias Achy


Edwin Carungay (United States)

Edwin Carungay

Curas Blancos From the series A Great Divide © Edwin Carungay


This photo captures an unscripted – and surreal moment from a community-led pre-Lenten ritual in México’s southern state of Oaxaca.
reygun.com
@gammareygun
All about Edwin Carungay


Jaroslav Mares (Czech Republic)

Jaroslav Mares

Garages © Jaroslav Mares


In the latter half of the 20th century, rows of garages were built near urban housing estates across many towns in Czechia. These structures, often constructed spontaneously and without much planning, lacked aesthetic appeal. Nowadays, most of these garages are no longer used for parking. Many stand abandoned, while others serve as makeshift storage spaces or workshops, with their metal doors showing signs of rust and grime.
However, some garage owners take pride in maintaining them. Their doors are carefully painted in various colors, usually reflecting the owner's personal taste. In winter, when snow blankets the area, concealing any clutter, these colorful garage doors create unexpectedly striking and vibrant compositions, crafted unintentionally by their owners.
www.fotomares.cz
@mares.policka
All about Jaroslav Mares


Thibault Gerbaldi (France/United States)

Thibault Gerbaldi

A Divine Presence from the series An Alpaca Farming Community © Thibault Gerbaldi


This portrait series captures the alpaca farming communities of the high-altitude Peruvian Andes, where each village proudly showcases unique embroidery and patterns, symbolizing their rich heritage. Vibrant colors and intricate designs are more than decoration—they are vital expressions of identity, history, and tradition, woven into the fabric of daily life and passed down through generations. These embroidered textiles tell the stories of nature, spirituality, and community.
www.tgcrossroads.com
@tg_crosssroads
All about Thibault Gerbaldi


Barry Guthertz (United States)

Barry Guthertz

Lilypads In Autumn from the series Exotics In Color © Barry Guthertz


What strikes me first when looking at exotic plants is their color, followed by their shapes, contours, textures and their appearance. It’s a challenge to capture the very essence of exotic plants and flowers – to share their attractiveness, especially when they don’t meet the “normal” criteria for beauty
Nearly all my botanical images are shot outdoors in public, private or in my own gardens. The added benefit of following my passion for photographing flowers is that I’ve become an avid gardener, and by doing so develop a deeper connection with the plants, creating a special opportunity to capture more intimate images.
www.barryguthertz.com
All about Barry Guthertz


Dennis Church (United States)

Dennis Church

Naples, Florida 2021 from the series Americolor © Dennis Church


The series or project is a retrospective look at my work from 2007 to 2024. I saw a large exhibition of Color Field painters in early 2024 at The NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A painting by Frank Stella particularly enthralled me and I was puzzled why it had such a strong hold on me. A few days later I was editing photographs and came across my photograph, Bonita Springs, Florida 2012, and I immediately felt a connection and the reason why the Stella painting was so entrancing. I found that many of my photographs have a similar feel with layered subjects and a planar feel: some more, some less. I decided to edit a group of photographs into a book paying homage to the color field painters, therefore my title, AMERICOLOR: Exploring Urban Color Fields. I recently published the book in collaboration with Palm Beach Atlantic University where I also showed an exhibition of about one third of the 116 photographs in the book.
www.dennischurch.com
@dennis_church_photographs
All about Dennis Church


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