Cesare Simioni's 'Soul Beneath the Paint' Wins Pure Street Photography Award

Cesare Simioni's impactful black-and-white photograph, 'Soul Beneath the Paint,' has won the Grand Winner title in the Black and White category at the Pure Street Photography Awards 2026. The image was captured during the Lambe-Sujo e Caboclinhos festival in Sergipe, Brazil, a traditional street theater depicting Brazil's history of enslaved people and quilombos. The photograph features a young boy, painted as part of the festival's tradition, looking directly at the camera, embodying the cultural legacy and resilience of his heritage. Judge Rui Palha praised the image for its humanism, composition, and perfect black-and-white execution.