The Mono Awards 2026: A closer look at our winners

With The Mono Awards 2026 presented by Synology now a wrap, we wanted to shine a spotlight on the images that stood out to our judges this year.

Our three winners in the People, Places and Animals categories all approached their subjects in different ways, but were all successful in captivating our judges.

Here's what the judges had to say on the images they chose as our winners this year.

People category winner, Carly Goldsmith, Childhood

Carly Goldsmith photographed this image of her two youngest children playing together in her backyard one afternoon, unexpectedly capturing a moment of innocent beauty.

“As the sun dropped lower in the sky, it cast a beautifully defined shadow across the fence. It was an unposed, ordinary moment, but when I reviewed the image later, it carried more emotional weight than I had realised at the time,” she says.

“Their silhouette gives me pangs of nostalgia, knowing they have already grown and changed since this photograph was taken. It perfectly captures their sibling bond and the simple joy of childhood afternoons spent together in the backyard, while reflecting my own desire to hold onto those fleeting years just a little longer.”

“In my family photography, I often gravitate towards black and white when an image evokes a strong feeling or deep connection. The simplicity of a monochrome edit removes distractions (in this case, my son's hi-vis shirt) and allows the light, shadow and emotion to take centre stage, creating a more powerful image.”

For the judges, the image’s simplicity and the sense of wonder captured in a pure, decisive moment, made it a clear winner in the People category.

What the judges said

We often treat photography as a literal medium, yet there are times when it is the metaphorical or even subliminal ideas in a photo that really talk to us. Carly Goldsmith’s winning photo of two young children is proof of this; yes, the principal elements are out of focus and the print is slightly dark, but this all helps us focus in on that solid shadow that is really telling the story.

For many readers this one image will evoke a lot of memories; for me, that old fence reminds me of days spent in my grandmother’s backyard. I am sure that in years to come this photo will stir memories for these children too. – Anthony McKee

I really like this image because it's a quiet, tender moment between two children, told almost entirely through shadow. The fence is where the focus lives – the kids themselves are soft and out of frame, but you can still catch the joy on the little girl’s face as she looks up at him.

His head is tilted gently toward her in the silhouette, caring and unhurried, and their little noses line up in the shadow in the sweetest way. It’s the kind of image that makes you feel something rather than just look at it – it speaks more through what's suggested than what’s sharp, and it takes me straight back to what childhood actually feels like. – Meg Hewitt

Places category winner, Andy Zakeli, De-escalation

Andy Zakeli’s image wowed our judges with its clever use of geometry, symmetry and humour. The image transforms an everyday scene in Sydney’s Gadigal Station into something visually unexpected, with the escalator, concrete columns and signage creating a strong graphic composition.

The image came from a street photography excursion with Zakeli’s TAFE students, where he was experimenting with different angles of the station’s architecture.

“I took it a step further for a bit of fun and made the subject headless, almost decapitated by the signage. I like trying to add humour or strange elements to my photos purely to create interest for the viewer,” he says.

The judges were also drawn to the image’s balance and almost tessellated design, with the lone commuter providing a subtle human element within the strong architectural forms.

“Capturing a single subject in the right position on the escalator during a busy weekday wasn’t easy, so I was stoked to capture this shot.”

What the judges said

My immediate reaction to this image is a smile. There’s something wonderfully quirky about the decisive moment, as the commuter’s head is cut off by a banner, leaving the letter K to fill the space where his head should be.

The letter almost becomes a stick figure or animated symbol for walking, while the man’s body remains stiff and upright, his suit pulling ever so slightly across his frame. The composition is carefully observed, balanced and remarkably clean – a man caught in a moment where everything seems to have frozen perfectly in place. – Jackie Ranken

De-escalation is a playful approach to a classic compositional idea. Photos featuring multiple escalators symmetrically captured within transit architecture is a well-explored idea, and the lines of the handrails alongside the horizontal repetition of the steps make for strong visual elements. Here the headless figure is the key point of interest that flips the script, inviting the viewer to explore the anonymous figure through the draping of their jacket and pants and the luggage on the step below rather than their face which is obscured by the location’s identifier. – Matt Palmer

Animals category winner, Brooke Pyke, Fever

Brooke Pyke was on an ocean safari in Baja, Mexico, and had hoped to document schooling mobula rays.

“With marine life, you never know what you might see, and that’s part of the magic. Wildlife photography requires patience, so I always try to keep my expectations low,” she says.

“Our boat captain suddenly called out for us to get ready – he had spotted a school of mobula. I remember thinking it seemed too good to be true. Looking over the side of the boat, I couldn’t see anything; how the captain spotted them, I have no idea.”

“When I plunged in with my camera, I looked down to see around a hundred rays moving slowly across the sand, silhouetted against a glowing white backdrop. Shooting over white sand was an amazing opportunity, with their shapes contrasting beautifully against the ripples.”

“I knew it would work well in black and white and felt it was a perfect fit for the Mono Awards. I still pinch myself that I got to witness this scene first-hand.”

What the judges said

While the image would undoubtedly hold its own in colour, the decision to explore black and white only strengthens its visual impact. Doing so emphasises the velvet textures and gentle form over the distraction of colour information. The subtle gradation of tones contributes to an atmosphere of mystery and ambiguity, encouraging the viewer to engage more closely with the abstract within the composition.

The subtle distortion within the frame introduces a gentle curvature that emphasises the natural contours of the shapes, presenting this concept of global nature.

For me, what makes the photograph particularly successful is the combination of observation, technical ability, and response. Organised chaos, beautiful tones, and a one-in-a-million chance of this event reoccurring to be captured again. – Dario Gardiman

The 2027 edition of The Mono Awards opens in mid-January 2027. Keep an eye on the Mono Awards website for more.