The 11th edition of the All About Photo awards, titled The Mind's Eye, has announced its 2026 winners, showcasing a diverse array of captivating images from around the world. The competition awarded $5,000 in cash prizes, with first place going to Matt McClain for his poignant photograph capturing a moment at Colonial Williamsburg.
First Place: Window to the Past by Matt McClain
Matt McClain's winning image features Megan Day, a 20-year-old intern, working in Margaret Hunter's Millinery Shop at the Colonial Williamsburg history museum in Virginia. The photograph is part of a larger story exploring the life of Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, as the 250th anniversary of its signing approaches. McClain's work offers a quiet, cinematic meditation on time and legacy.
Second Place: Obscura by Brooke Shaden
Inspired by Plato's allegory of the cave, this conceptual self-portrait explores identity in the digital age, blurring the line between authenticity and performance. The subject finds a break in the facade, revealing her true self despite societal pressures to conform.
Third Place: Celestial Ladies by France Leclerc
Captured at the Benin-Togo border, this image shows women devotees of the Celestial church resting after a service. Dressed in white attire and round hats, they sit before a gray wall painted with white circles, creating a striking juxtaposition that amazed the photographer.
Fourth Place: Tunisia by Javier Arcenillas
A train sleeps in Cartago, Tunisia, in this evocative photograph that captures a moment of stillness and decay.
Fifth Place: Bringing Home the Birds by Beamie Young
In Cuba, bird cages are hung by front doors. This image shows birds being transported to a new home, highlighting a unique cultural practice.
Other Notable Winners
Dancing with Giants by Khaichuin Sim: A freediver meets the gaze of sperm whales, suspended between light and shadow in an intimate underwater encounter.
Hands that Feed the Sky by Tittu Thomas: A powerful image capturing hands reaching upward, symbolizing hope or labor.
Young Monks Playing Football by Andrew Newey: After a day of prayers and study, young monks at Phugtal Gompa in the Himalayas relax by playing football, showcasing a blend of tradition and play.
Cycling in the Dew by Wahyu Budiyanto: In a village in Tuban, Indonesia, a macro photograph captures the reflection of a cyclist in dew on roadside grass, with morning sunlight creating a silhouette.
75 York Road by Tebani-Slade: An urban existence is depicted in this stark architectural image.
Bus Ride to Heaven by Shrikanth R. Poojari: A magical sunset moment from a bus, with golden light and car tail lights creating pink and red tones.
In a Hurry by Gabi Steiner: In the narrow streets of Harar, Ethiopia, a girl is captured in a perfect moment as an eye-catcher.
They, by Them by Asako Naruto: A human outline emerges through fabric, exploring anonymity and collective identity.
Artistic Water Ballet by Lintao Zhang: Neutral independent athletes perform at the World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Cup final in Xi'an.
Untitled by Kerry Faulkner: A scene from Santovenia home for the aged in Cuba.
De Chirico by Gavin Libotte: Street photography in Sydney, Australia, evoking the style of the painter Giorgio de Chirico.
Drawing by Driving by Jiri Kostal: A bored driver and an empty parking lot create an abstract composition.
Wheels by Herve Boutrouille: A playful image contrasting big and small wheels.
The Weight of Creation by Md Tanveer-Rohan: In Dhamrai, Bangladesh, a brick field worker carries an enormous stack of bricks, highlighting the physical demands of unseen labor.
Mending Nets by Marie Kent: Along the Thu Bon River in Vietnam, a woman mends a large blue fishing net by hand, capturing tradition and craftsmanship.
