To view all five finalists from this year’s contest, click here.

Andrew Lu wanted his black and white photography to evoke emotion and imagination and, according to the team at Sigma Corporation of America, it worked.

The 17-year-old from Yorktown Heights, N.Y., was chosen by the US subsidiary’s executives as the winner of Sigma’s second annual Scholarship Contest, which includes a cash prize of $5,000 and a $1,000 gift card toward Sigma products.

Andrew said he hoped his entry would engage viewers, while illustrating the importance of black and white photography using digital and film mediums.

“By removing color, a sense of vulnerability is introduced that allows the viewer to capture every shred of emotion and detail,” Andrew said in his essay. “My photographs evoke the senses of the reader and invite them to engage their imaginations and see beyond what is presented to them. That is what I want my photographs to do. Whether they are alluding to a story or getting people to think, either is what I strive for.”

Andrew plans to major in photography in college so he can fulfill his dream of becoming a fashion photographer and shooting for magazines like Vogue and i-D. He has been accepted to the School of Visual Arts, Rochester Institute of Technology, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and Pratt Institute, but he has not committed to a school as of yet.

Andrew’s photos were captured with a Nikon F100 and a 28-70mm Sigma lens. He said he will use his winnings toward the college of his choice, as well as some new Sigma lenses.

“I am extremely honored to be chosen as the winner of the Sigma Photography Scholarship Contest,” Andrew said. “I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout these few weeks. I would also thank my family and friends for believing in me the whole time. This is a great memory to cherish as I leave my high school years behind and start my new experiences in college.”