From happenstance and humor to solemnity and tension, the images topping the 2026 Pure Street Photography Awards run the gamut of daily scenes. The annual contest is organized into two categories: black-and-white and open. Reflections of New York City meet dramatic views of urban spaces and pensive tableaux in rural communities, emphasizing timely and candid moments that center diverse human experiences.

This year, eight winners were selected from nearly 1,600 entries submitted by photographers in 50 countries. An exhibition of 158 of the top images is slated to pop up at Jawahar Kala Kendra in Jaipur, India, from November 20 to 22. The open call is also now live for the 2027 edition, and you can see more and follow updates on the competition’s Instagram.

a street photo of the reflection of the Flatiron Building in a puddle with a person walking pastPierre Hauser, finalist in the open category

a black-and-white photo of a spiral staircase with two people walking belowKazuhiro Ishikawa, finalist in the black-and-white category

a black-and-white photo of a young boy looking directly at the camera amid a crowd of peopleCesare Simioni, grand prize in the black-and-white category

a street photo of two monks in red robes sitting in a doorway on their phones, with a chicken in the foregroundShruti Bansal, finalist in the open category

a street photo of people clamoring for breadLeone Von Dizic, first place in the open category

a black-and-white photo of military sailors during R&RChris Mozyro, first place in the black-and-white category

a street photo of jeans drying on a line near a coastline, where people are standing rocksSudhir Yadav, finalist in the open category

a street photo of a woman in pink taking a selfie with her phone as a beam of sunlight appears to be emanating from the phoneTaichi Naitou, second place in the open category

a street photo of numerous reflections in a carDaniel Kashi, grand prize in the open category

a black-and-white photo of a rainy day, taken from ground level to emphasize the splashing drops in puddles and a figure walking with an umbrella in the distanceSven Delaye, third place in the black-and-white category

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