Joshua YeheNara Wins 2026 Photographer of the Year
The New York City-based artist earned the top honor at the 2026 Exposure One Awards for his black-and-white series.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Photography
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New York City photographer Joshua YeheNara secured the Photographer of the Year title at the 2026 Exposure One Awards. He utilized large-format film photography and the wet plate collodion process to capture his acclaimed series.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights a revival of traditional large-format techniques in contemporary photography. YeheNara successfully employed rare, historic equipment to create his winning black-and-white frames.
The photographer relies on an 11x14 Deardorff studio camera that weighs 45 pounds, mounted on a stand weighing approximately 350 pounds. One of his three cameras was sourced from a Massachusetts collector for $4,500.
The players
Joshua YeheNara
He is a New York City-based photographer recognized for his mastery of large-format film and historic wet plate collodion processes.
Deardorff Camera Company
Based in Chicago, this historic manufacturer produced a limited run of professional-grade studio cameras highly sought after by modern large-format enthusiasts.
The details
YeheNara captured his work on Ilford Delta 100 black-and-white film mounted within a 10x14-inch back. His process honors the legacy of the Deardorff Camera Company, which manufactured these specialized studio cameras between the 1930s and 1980s.
Timeline
Joshua YeheNara won the Exposure One Awards in 2026.
The Deardorff Camera Company produced its studio cameras from the 1930s to the 1980s.
Culture Shift
The use of 1930s-era technology by a contemporary award winner signals a growing appreciation for analog craftsmanship in an era of digital dominance. This trend reflects a broader societal shift toward valuing the slow, tactile labor involved in traditional photography methods.
For local photographers in New York City, this win underscores the viability of high-effort analog techniques in modern creative projects. Aspiring artists may find inspiration in the physical dedication required to operate heavy, historic large-format equipment.
The takeaway
Achieving artistic recognition often requires a deep engagement with the specific tools and history of one's craft. Enthusiasts interested in film should focus on mastering the technical requirements of large-format cameras to elevate their own creative output.
Further reading
Discover more about the evolving world of film in Photography.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Digital Camera World.
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Do you prefer the aesthetic results of traditional analog film over modern digital photography?
