Street Stories Unveiled: Celebrating the Winners of AAP Magazine 44

We’re delighted to reveal the names of the 25 talented photographers who won AAP Magazine #44: Street. They come from 11 different countries and 5 continents!

Street photography has been a cornerstone of the photographic journey since its inception, evolving alongside the urban landscapes it seeks to capture. From the cobblestone streets of Paris to the towering skylines of New York, and now to the bustling megacities of our globalized world, this genre has continually reinvented itself. It chronicles the relentless rhythm of modern life, the interplay between individuals and their ever-changing environments, and the fleeting connections that define our shared experiences.

This issue of AAP Magazine 44: Street celebrates that evolution. As photographers, we dive into the pulse of urban life, weaving through crowds to capture the unexpected, the extraordinary hidden within the everyday. Street photography thrives on serendipity—the chance encounters, the fleeting glances, the singular moments that speak volumes about humanity. It’s a practice rooted in observation, responsibility, and a desire to help others see the world anew.

As Robert Doisneau aptly said, ''A photographer who made a picture from a splendid moment, an accidental pose of someone or a beautiful scenery, is the finder of a treasure.'' The projects featured in this issue are exactly that: treasures. They capture the humor, the chaos, the beauty, and the poignancy of life on the streets, offering fresh perspectives on scenes we might otherwise overlook or take for granted.

Congratulations to the winners and thank you for allowing us to experience the hustle and bustle of streets around the globe through your lens. I hope you enjoy this compilation of diverse approaches to street photography as much as I enjoyed curating it.

The Winner of AAP Magazine 44 Street is Tommi Viitala (Finland) with the series 'Hunting Shadows'

This photo was taken from my work place window in October 2024. I happened to look out the window and noticed this beautiful sunset light and ran to get my camera right away from my desk. I Love deep contrasts and storytelling so I think this perfectly defines my style of photography.
tommiviitala.com
@tommiviitala
All about Tommi Viitala


The Second Place winner is Andrea Torrei (Italy) with the series 'The silent wait'

A long and silent wait marks the days preceding the celebration of Saint Mary the Crowned of Carmel before everything melts into a riot of dances and songs. Pagani - Italy
Legend says that a painting of a Madonna buried beneath the earth was found by some hens scratching in a coop. The image is said to have performed eight miracles in a short time. It all began in 1609. In Pagani, a small town in south of Italy, seven days after Easter, people celebrate Saint Mary the Crowned of Carmel (commonly known as Our Lady of the Hens). It is both a religious and civil festivity.
The long wait for the Madonna marks the days preceding the celebration when the statue, covered with live birds, moves throughout the city streets and alleyways. It passes by shrines finely set with satin and lace. They are called toselli, symbols of maternity. This results in the tradition of every family giving hens or doves or turkeys to the church for this period, as a symbolic gift. The population participates animated by a strong faith until the day of the feast when everything melts into a riot of dances and songs.
www.andreatorrei.com
@andreatorrei
All about Andrea Torrei


The Third Place winner is Rens Dekker (The Netherlands) with the series 'Les Carolos: L’Âme du Pays Noir'

For years, I have visited Belgium as a source of inspiration. Particularly, the old mining town of Charleroi (once unfairly labeled as the ugliest city in Europe) captured my heart. Its many scars reveal the city’s contrasting history, but I was especially drawn to its people—the Carolos, as they proudly call themselves.
The persistent prejudices about the city remained unconfirmed for me—quite the opposite, in fact. The residents, often portrayed as aggressive and dangerous, turned out to be warm, welcoming, and above all, proud. They gave me access to their personal lives without expectations or suspicion. I was amazed at how readily they allowed themselves to be photographed in their own ‘Pays Noir’.
Each time I returned to Charleroi, I sought out the people I had previously photographed to deliver their framed portraits to them. Their reactions were emotional and heartwarming. The Carolos felt seen, understood, and proud.
Charleroi is a city often misunderstood by those who pass by or through it, as they judge it solely based on what they see, failing to take the time to uncover the beauty hidden within. What one sees in another often says more about the observer than about the one who is—or isn’t—seen.
To me, the Carolos are the vibrant soul of the black land: Les Carolos, l'Âme du Pays Noir.
www.rensdekker.nl
@rensdekker_


Merit Award Gallery
Mischa Lluch (Spain)

FADING – It is a subjective view of the American suburb, challenging the perceived ideal of life. The project delves into the emotional landscape of broken dreams, inviting viewers on an introspective journey.
I use cinematic visual language to shape the narrative of this project. While its portrayal of the everyday shares similarities with 'New Topographics' photography, its true inspiration lies in Eugene Atget's work's emotional depth and subjectivity and the melancholic depth of Humberto Rivas's outdoor photography. Also, Andrei Tarkovsky's atmosphere, tempo, and reflective necessity resonate in these series.
I shoot handheld, always from the car, with a 6x9 rangefinder camera on color negative film. This project aims to open the door to fiction within reality. It is an external gaze that seeks to reveal the invisible. I capture the Bay Area of SF in CA until I lose myself, driven by the obsession to find an image that captures the moment things fade, becoming a broken dream. The concept of absence, almost dystopian, serves as a mirror between us and them, inviting viewers to explore the hidden layers of suburban life.
www.mischalluch.com
@mischalluchphoto


Luca Regoli (Italy)

“This image was taken in Rimini in Italy, it plays with reflections, but the main element is the elegant man sitting on the bench, who seems immersed in his thoughts. This photo is part of a project that revolves around the benches, an element of urban furniture that is in some way part of people's lives.
@luca_regoli_street
All about Luca Regoli


Joseph Cheung (Malaysia)

A person walks past a giant eye on a shopping facade, with a colorful umbrella positioned perfectly at the center, creating the illusion of an 'umbrella eye.'
@josecyf
www.facebook.com/joejoe2004
All about Joseph Cheung


Spiro Bolos (United States)

All photos taken with a smartphone at the northernmost bench of the Ravenswood Metra stop in Chicago, Illinois. Metra is a commuter rail service serving the Chicagoland metropolitan region.
spirophoto.posthaven.com
@oripsolob
All about Spiro Bolos


Mariana Basurto (Mexico)

Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2024
In Bangladesh, where trains ferry thousands upon thousands daily, there exists a paradoxical oasis of peace. Amid the clamor and rush, individuals discover moments of profound stillness and serenity, space in which to steal a nap. It's a fleeting, almost magical experience, where the din of the world fades into a hushed silence, offering a rare pause in the rhythm of life. This unexpected tranquility amidst the relentless motion provides a sanctuary, a brief rest for the weary soul, reminding us that even in the heart of perpetual movement, there can be islands of calm waiting to be found.
www.worldfrommyeyes.com
@maribasurtophotography
All about Mariana Basurto


Alessandro Deluigi (Italy)

Summer is often associated with sun, relaxation and fun. I took these shots trying to capture less usual, more unusual aspects of this season of the year, telling how often behind the absolute desire for escapism and sharing that the summer season brings, there lingers a subtle yearning, a subtle melancholy. The realization that the deepest joy is in waiting for the summer that when it begins is already announcing to us its inevitable end.
@aledelu75
All about alessandro-deluigi


Jelisa Peterson (United States)

My image “After Prayers” depicts the large, principal mosque on Mozambique Island. While the building began in 1922, the fading green walls stand strong today despite a twenty war for independence from Portugal and then twenty more years of civil war. Indeed, the mosque has also withstood years of increasingly violent cyclones which in 2019 flattened the most of the island.
After documenting life in Mozambique Island since 2003, seeing a man resting on the edge of the stairs of the grand mosque is not an incredible sight. But it is a reminder of how strength and longevity can build feelings of enough trust and safety to close one’s eyes with ease.
jelisapeterson.com
@jelisapeterson


Matthew Steaffens (United States)

City of Spies is a street photography project that explores the complex and mysterious dynamics of social relationships in Washington, DC. In a city shaped by status and power, everyday interactions are charged with intrigue, leaving you to wonder about the stories behind the faces and moments you encounter. Through candid and atmospheric images, this series captures the quiet tension and unanswered questions woven into daily life in the nation’s capital.
www.matthewsteaffens.com
@matthew.steaffens
All about Matthew Steaffens


Eric Davidove (United States)

My photo project is a collection of candid moments in California urban settings. The moments are fleeting, inconsequential, and appear to be hardly real. Had it not been for me and my camera, they would have been gone instantly, like a dream that vanishes soon after waking.
edovephotos.myportfolio.com
@edovephotos
All about Eric Davidove


Susanne Grether (United States)

susannegrether.com
@susannegrether
All about Susanne Grether


Adriana Ferrarese (Italy)

When going to Cuba I was pretty much expecting to be confronted to a stereotyped image of colorful and joyful culture. While there, I could not avoid being dazed by the harsh life condition of the Cuban people and their cruel lack of freedom. The voluntarily staged and stereotyped scenery for tourists almost swallowed this condition, especially in an almost post-war atmosphere of Havana, where even the usual olds cars seem to escape as if they were running away from an evil presence.
www.adriana-ferrarese.com
@adriana_s_pics
All about Adriana Ferrarese


Julio Marchamalo (Spain)

Hands are, in many ways, a reflection of humanity. They are tools for work, for love, for communication, and sometimes for struggle. Through them, I capture spontaneous gestures that tell silent stories—narratives that go beyond words. The hands become protagonists, showcasing the connection between the individual and their environment, as well as the emotions that each action can convey.
www.juliomarchamalo.com
@juliomarchamalo
All about Julio Marchamalo


Max Marienko (United States)

Street photography is about capturing the unexpected moments of city life where chaos, order and emotions mix together, showing the energy of the streets. These moments might seem messy and random, but they actually have their own rhythm, giving each city its unique vibe.
The photos in this collection appear to have no common theme, but they all come from the same lively source—the city. This randomness is intentional as it’s a natural part of life. Street photography shows how these pieces connect, revealing something bigger in the chaos - the raw emotion and beauty of the everyday life around us.
I like to work with complex compositions, using layers, shadows and cityscape elements that come together in surprising ways. But sometimes, the simplest photos that reveal emotions are the best. The best shots are often the ones that just happen without planning, when everything falls into place naturally. These unplanned moments can be the most powerful.
For me, street photography is about capturing unpredictably of life as it is — and finding harmony and beauty in that. It’s about balancing complexity with simplicity, movement with stillness and emotions with calmness - all are important in showing the true spirit of the city.
@max_m_ph


Paul Carruthers (United Kingdom)

Grockles. In the seaside towns of England’s south coast, few words define both the social and political reality as the word Grockle. In local parlance it means a tourist, and it is often used as both a joke and a slur. With second homes driving locals away, water shortages, and tourist economies overly reliant on seasonal work, Grockles has come to define a political moment of displacement. Paul Carruthers’ long term street photography project explores the impact of tourism from the inside.
www.swimstones.com
@swimstones
All about Paul Carruthers


Lauren Stewart (United States)

This image is from the series titled South Carolina State Fair, which is a street series documenting the people and the stories of our annual fair that takes place in October in Columbia, South Carolina.
@laurenalliephoto


Joanna Madloch (United States)

This series captures the fleeting interplay of light, shadow, and human presence on the streets. Each candid portrait is a testament to the serendipitous alignment of timing, texture, and motion—moments that exist only briefly, yet resonate with depth and meaning. Through these images, the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary, revealing the quiet poetry of life unfolding in passing.
www.joannamadloch.com
@joanna_madloch
All about Joanna Madloch


Antonio Denti (Italy)

Taci Tolu, Timor Leste. A young couple with a child walks towards the Taci Tolu esplanade where Pope Francis is expected to celebrate a mass. The choice of the large plain caught between the ocean and the salt lakes the is not casual: it is where the Indonesian army is thought to have dumped and buried the bodies of many young Timorese during the war of independence. Independence that Timor finally obtained in 1999.
''A Violin at the End of the World'' is a photographic account of what Pope Francis saw when he travelled the streets of the South Pacific in September 2024. The sediment of it - not surprisingly - is mostly made by human faces.
@antclick
All about Antonio Denti


Alex McClintock (Australia)

I always thought it was kind of crap that one of Sydney’s biggest landmarks is a giant old soft drink ad. But when I moved to an apartment close by, I began to appreciate the Coke sign’s neon glamour, a counterpoint to the faded neighbourhood of vape shops and shuttered strip clubs below. The sign catches the setting sun and glows blood red even before the lights turn on, so I shoot there as often as I can. I think it’s beautiful, but I don’t think this taxi driver stuck in traffic on Darlinghurst Road saw it the same way.
alexmcclintock.net
@axmcc


Nadia Eeckhout (Belgium)

On one of my walks along the streets of Brussels, I came across this lady sitting in a cozy café. An early sun on a cold morning shining on its windows made her look like a lady from the past, had it not been for the trendy flask; popping up as a kind of anachronism in a 19th century setting; a reason for me to click.
@nadia.eeckhout4


Colin Page (United Kingdom)

The idea of the project is to show that man/woman is the measure of all things, each individual's experiences and beliefs shape their understanding of reality, thus making them the measure of their own truths.
@snapper020


Aude Delannoy Dib (France)

Summer in the city, though less frequently captured by photographers than seaside escapes, is no less captivating. It brings vibrant clothing, stylish hats, oversized sunglasses, diverse skin tones, and the uncontrollable beauty of melting makeup. This ongoing series delves into the essence of feminity at the height of summer's heat in the cities.
audedib.wixsite.com/mabota111
@mabota11


Charles Klein (United States)

www.charleskleinphotography.com