The Mono Awards 2025: A closer look at our three runners-up
With our annual black and white photography competition The Mono Awards 2025 now a wrap, we wanted to shine a spotlight on the images that stood out to our judges this year.
Our three runners-up in the People, Places and Animals category all approached their subjects in different ways, but were all successful in captivating our judges.
Here's what they the judges had to say on the images they chose as our runners-up this year.
People runner-up
Em Hacon’s People category runner-up winning image depicts her kids climbing on the family’s Hills Hoist clothesline, which just so happens to be the same Hills Hoist she climbed on as a child.
“Mum was driven round the bend by my siblings and I climbing on it,” she recalls. “Now I feel her pain!”
For our judges, this iconic piece of Australiana is elevated from mere nostalgia to fine art, and further elevated by Hacon’s beautiful editing.
What the judges said
There were a lot of great images in the People section, but it was Em Hacon’s photo of young children playing on an old Hills Hoist clothesline that really captured the attention of our judges.
Dirty young feet clambering over an Australian backyard icon possibly stirred a few old memories in some of our judges, but it was also the beautiful treatment of this image that won the day.
We see two pair of feet on the old gear box (complete with the Hills logo), and in the background, blurred, we see a younger brother just waiting his turn when he can clamber onto the clothesline too. This photo really is the stuff of memories. - Anthony McKee
An outstanding image! From the choice to focus on the children's feet in the foreground rather than focusing on the child's face behind (which invites your eye to search around the image to reveal the story), to the shallow depth of field with sharp focus on the iconic Hills Hoist logo; this image takes me back to my childhood and invokes a sense of nostalgia of climbing the clothesline in my backyard. The result is something unmistakably Australian. Jay Collier
Places runner-up
David Niu’s runner-up image in the Places category, The Opera House, stood out to our judges for its humour and fresh perspective on a classic Sydney landmark.
“This image was taken on Australia Day in Sydney,” says Niu. “The silhouette of two seated passengers – one in a wide-brimmed hat, the other fading into shadow – contrasts with the Opera House, which is both framed and fragmented by the ferry windows.”
Despite the presence of one of the country’s most iconic landmarks, the subjects remain anonymous – a quiet reminder that national celebrations are not just about spectacle, but also about the everyday people who inhabit the landscape.
What the judges said
Some moments can’t be planned, they are just beautiful serendipitous collisions of visual elements that come together to make magic. Good street photographers have a sixth sense about when random elements are about to align and potentially produce a great image. I think this was one of those moments. - Chris Budgeon
This image is a unique depiction of Australian culture and identity. The Sydney Opera House is beautifully rendered through overlapping and open window creating a sense of movement through the image. The passengers are captured in silhouette glancing out the window, their hands which provide a sense of humanity in the image, and the juxtaposition with the shape of the hat which plays with the rest of the image. The eye of the photographer in this moment is exceptional. - Matt Palmer
Animals runner-up
“‘Henry’s Nose’ is an entirely experimental image,” explains Lilly Siemon.
“The image was taken with a macro lens I had borrowed for a few weeks, and while taking macro shots of the flowers in my backyard, my dog attempted to eat my camera, which turned into a spur of the moment image – no planning was involved,” she says.
“The editing was not a planned process either, and while I like creating black and white images, this image felt more dramatic than other images I have created. Entering the Mono Awards was entirely experimental too!”
What the judges said
This monochrome macro image demonstrates strong technical skill and artistic intent. The tight frame draws our attention to the fine contours of the nose, while the lighting adds depth and mood. Its minimalism creates an intimate and visually compelling image which reflects a thoughtful artistic approach. - Helen Whittle
This image of Henry captures wonderful detail, drawing the viewer's attention to the intricate ridges of his unique nose fingerprint. The masterful use of contrast and composition creates a powerful focal point that emphasises the beauty of its simplicity. - Alex Cearns OAM
Next week, we'll share judges comments on the competition's overall winners. The Mono Awards will open for entries in February 2026.