We recently revealed the winners of the Street category of the International Amateur Photographer of the Year (APOY) 2026 competition. Here we share our favourite photographs that didn’t make the top ten, plus more great images from the shortlist.
APOY where the best non-professional photographers in the world compete over ten rounds throughout the year to win some fantastic prizes. The competition is now open, with each month asking for entries on a new category theme. Entry is free to photographers aged 13-21 in the Young Amateur Photographer of the Year competition.
Running girl by Mike Morton, Uckfield – selected by Peter Dench, APOY Project Manager
NIKON D90, 24mm, 1/1600sec, f/7.1, ISO 400
Peter Says: This appears to be a simple scene of four figures occupying a street corner. None acknowledge one another yet they create a visual choreography that works. It reminded me of a Tony Ray-Jones photograph in the way it shares his fascination with the peculiar theatre of the English seaside.
There’s a tension in the arrangement, an image of near connections – the distracted man on his phone, the woman hauling her FREE BIBLE COURSE trolley, the child mid step and women in the cafe. Brickwork, paving stones, window frames, road markings and street and shop signs set the stage for the human performance. It’s an ambiguous image where nothing is happening but it feels poised on the edge of something significant. And what is in that rucksack!
Pecking Order by John Quinn, Motherwell – selected by Geoff Harris, Deputy Editor
LEICA Q3 MONO, 28mm, 1/500sec, f/11, ISO 2000
Geoff says: While every street image is different – which is the beauty of street photography – we do tend to see broadly similar approaches being followed. ‘Amusing juxtapositions’ for want of a better phrase, are particularly popular, a style popularised by celebrated street photographer Nils Jorgensen. ‘Pecking Order’ is a good example of this.
The capture is perfectly timed, reminding us that patience pays off when it comes to street shooting; it also illustrates the importance of finding the right spot. The pedestrian is nicely placed in the frame, as are her hands. I’m not sure where ‘Downside Lane’ is, but you get a strong sense of vibrant community without it distracting from the subject. Yes, there is clutter in the background but the photographer was right not to crop in too much.
Face off by Anuj Jain, Chandigarh – Selected by Nigel Atherton, Editor
NIKON Z 8, 180-600mm at 400mm, 1/1600sec, f/8, ISO 1800
Nigel says: This is a perfectly timed action shot by Anuj, which he captured on the Streets of Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh, India. He tells us that the monkey was actually the aggressor in this encounter, chasing and biting the dog’s hind leg. The dog reacted with such ferocity that in the moment Anuj pressed the shutter his entire body was off the ground, his twisted torso conveying the force of his response.
The look of terror on the monkey’s face is pretty much what mine would be if I was in his shoes, and the placement of his arms mirrors the dog’s hind legs. Anuj’s photo superbly conveys the drama of the moment. If I was to make one small criticism it would be that I think it is cropped a little too tightly. It would have been nice to have shown a bit more of the surrounding environment and given the action a little more space to breathe.
Old Friends in Corfu Old Town by George Hawthorn, Holywood – selected by Jessica Miller, Deputy Online Editor
FUJIFILM X-E3, 35mm, 1/1000sec, f/5, ISO200
Jessica says: Wholesome, heartwarming, fun… just a few of the words I’d use to describe this moment between three friends chatting in the street of old town Corfu. One of the factors that makes a good photo for me is the emotion it evokes. Does it make you remember something or make you laugh. I picked this photo because it reminds me of a trip out with my two best friends.
I’m sure that the three of us have already had moments like this where we paused on the street mid-story. I’m also sure each of us has pulled faces like the lady on the left at some point. Whether it’s as one of disbelief, disgust, satisfaction, awe, concentration, that’s open to interpretation. I look at this photo and see the three of us in the future, still walking to the shops, going out for lunch, gossiping. It brings a smile to my face. I’d love to know what these ladies are talking about.
Feed the Birds by Mandy Davies, Goffs Oak – Selected by Amy Davies, Features Editor
LEICA Q3, 28mm, 1/320sec, f/4, ISO 400
Amy says: I’ve long had a penchant for pigeons in street photography. They’re readily available, pretty tame and are an instant signifier that we’re in somewhere urban.
I love the simplicity of this scene, it’s an everyday moment, but there’s lots going on to take in. From the crumbling façade of the building in the background to the triangle of leg in the foreground. Just a snippet of a person interacting with a blurred pigeon and we can invent all manner of our own stories.
Converting to black and white is a classic choice for street photography, and one which works well here. Without, the colours of the clothing might be a distraction, or some details of the building might overtake.
More amazing photographs from our shortlist:
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