The Downtown Long Beach Alliance is thrilled to announce the winners of our annual DTLB Unfiltered photo contest. This contest is a celebration of the remarkable beauty, diversity, and vibrancy of Downtown Long Beach, as captured through the lenses of talented photographers of all levels of experience.
Each entry was evaluated, taking into consideration creativity, composition, responsiveness to the category prompt, and the ability to convey the essence of Downtown, by a panel of judges made up of Arts Council for Long Beach staff and local professional photographers.
Viewing Instructions: Click the photos below to enlarge their view. Each photo also has a caption including the category it won for, the submitting photographer and the photo’s title.
HONORABLE MENTIONS 2025
People, Places & Events – “Scooter Girl” by Chad Johnston
🌊 Skyline & Waterfront – “Framed by Nature” by Kateryna Kovalenko
🌱 Flora & Fauna – “Instant Flight” by Paul Platon
🏙️ Architecture – “Breakers Through Alley ” by Chad Johnston
🌃 City Nights – “Lantern Beach” by Andrea Arias
🏎️ Opposite of Ordinary – “The Ride and Glide” by Victor Ladd
Outside the Frame – “Canvas of Calm” by Victor Ladd
RUNNERS UP 2025
People, Places & Events – “F1D Photo Finish” by Tristan Alibudbud
🌊 Skyline & Waterfront – “Reflections of the Day” by James Rexwinkel
🌱 Flora & Fauna – “Contrary Paths” by Kateryna Kovalenko
🏙️ Architecture – “Concrete and metal alignment” by Zuzanna Grausch-Santillan
🌃 City Nights – “Dark Harbor Long Exposure” by Eric Benson
🏎️ Opposite of Ordinary – “Center of Gravity” by Kateryna Kovalenko
Outside the Frame – “Long Beach – still WARPED” by Bob Ring
WINNERS 2025
People, Places & Events – “Agreement from Above” by Mark Smolyar
🌊 Skyline & Waterfront – “The Lone Mariner and the Liner!” by Gabriel Aaron Barrera
🌱 Flora & Fauna – “Still Waters, Many Options” by Victor Ladd
🏙️ Architecture – “Coastal Monuments” by Lance Nassau
🌃 City Nights – “Long Beach Gradient” by Carlos Lomeli
🏎️ Opposite of Ordinary – “Wheel of Journey” by Kateryna Kovalenko
Outside the Frame – “International Gateway to the Moon” by James Rexwinkel
CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS
Take a moment to review the seven categories our Downtown photographers competed in!
People, Places & Events – Capture the heartbeat of Downtown by spotlighting small businesses, the shopping experience and all the events DTLB has to offer. Our ‘People, Places, and Events’ category invites you to freeze moments of pure joy and excitement as people immerse themselves in the diverse tapestry of our bustling city. Whether it’s a small business owner in their element, a captivating event, a lively street scene, or individuals reveling in the beauty of iconic places, this category celebrates the heartwarming and unforgettable moments that make Downtown truly special. So, grab your camera and join us in showcasing the dynamic spirit of this community through your lens!
Architecture – Celebrate the design and detail that shapes Downtown Long Beach! The “Architecture” category invites participants to highlight the city’s striking structures, from historic landmarks and art deco treasures to modern high-rises and hidden architectural gems. Whether it’s the grandeur of iconic facades, the patterns of everyday buildings, or the interplay of light and shadow across our urban landscape, let your lens reveal the stories these structures tell. Show us how architecture gives Downtown its unique character and personality!
🌱 Flora & Fauna – Showcase the beauty of our furry, feathered, and floral friends. Embrace the wild and wonderful! Our “Flora & Fauna’’ category invites you to capture the beauty and charm of Long Beach’s furry, feathered, and floral inhabitants. From playful pets to fascinating urban wildlife and the vibrant greenery that surrounds them, let your lens bring their stories to life. Get ready to share the joy and wonder of our animal friends, as well as the enchanting world of flora, in this delightful category!
🌙 City Nights – Experience Downtown Long Beach after the sun goes down. From glowing skylines and waterfront reflections to the buzz of nightlife and evening gatherings, this category invites participants to capture the unique energy and atmosphere that only emerges once the city lights come on. Capture Downtown after dark, from nightlife energy to moody city lights.
🌊 Skyline & Waterfront – Capture the beauty where city meets sea! The “Skyline & Waterfront” category celebrates Downtown Long Beach’s stunning horizons — from glittering skylines and iconic silhouettes to sweeping harbor views and tranquil coastal moments. Whether it’s sunrise over the ocean, ships in the port, or the city lights reflecting on the water, let your lens showcase the dynamic connection between land and sea that makes Downtown so unforgettable. Share the views that define our skyline and the waterfront that anchors our community!
🏎️ Opposite of Ordinary – In celebration of our current destination campaign, “Opposite of Ordinary”, Unfiltered participants are invited to interpret the campaign by submitting their very own diptychs (two images side by side) that showcase two opposite, but complementary subjects in Downtown. Need an example? Take a look around at any of the campaign pole banners throughout DTLB, or see below for a few examples, including our “Like swan boats and IndyCars” image. We can’t wait to see how you capture Downtown through this creative prompt!
‘Outside the Frame’ – Dig into your archives and transport us to moments that danced ‘Outside the Frame’ between Jan. 1, 2025, and Sept. 30, 2025. In this special category, photographers can submit their captures of DTLB throughout the year. While the main categories focus on capturing Downtown scenes from Oct. 1 to 31 this category invites you on a journey across all of 2025. Whether it’s the vibrant energy of springtime, the long, sun-drenched days of summer, or any moment in between, this is your chance to showcase the evolving essence of DTLB.