The International Photography Exhibition is in it's 163rd year. In January, we will announce a worldwide open-call to photographers and image-makers, of all ages, to submit their work for the exhibition. Submissions are encouraged from new, emerging and established photographers.
Selected photographers will have the unique opportunity to exhibit at The Royal Photographic Society in Bristol, UK, and other nationwide venues, and a total of £4000 will be awarded to support future photographic projects.
This year we are excited to announce several new awards! To be first to hear the news and to receive a notification when entry is open, send a request for an email reminder below.
The Royal Photographic Society is an international charitable organisation based in Bristol, UK. We are dedicated to increasing the knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of photography to the widest possible audience. Founded in 1853, The RPS is one of the world’s oldest photographic societies.
The RPS Gallery is situated in the photography hub of Bristol alongside the Martin Parr Foundation. Previous exhibitions have included Jack Latham's Sugar Paper Theories; Mandy Barker's Altered Ocean and Space Steps: The Moon and Beyond.
The International Photography Exhibition has been held almost every year since 1853 and is the longest running exhibition of its kind in the world.
In the early years, the exhibition included work from some of the world's most eminent photographers including Julia Margaret Cameron, Roger Fenton, Edward Steichen and Paul Strand.
"It's an incredible honor to not only be a part of an historic exhibition but to also have my work recognized by such an esteemed committee. The support and resources of The RPS has encouraged me to continue pushing myself and my work in ways that weren’t possible before. I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity to share my interpretation of what it means to be human on this strange and fantastic planet."
Cody Cobb, USA
"As any other debut project, the work follows many long periods of experimenting, indecision and risk. It’s a privilege to have it be given this level of recognition and platform for outreach and exposure - especially amongst the high standard of photography in this year’s RPS exhibition."
Chirag Jindal, New Zealand
"I am extremely grateful to be awarded the Gold RPS Award from such a strong line up. I really rated the names on the judging panel and the other photographers that participated. I hoped they’d see something engaging in terms of the background story behind this project as Nevis itself is so steeped in history, so I feel both delighted and very humbled to be selected for the award."
Catherine Hyland, UK
"I was so shocked to hear that I had won the award – so many of my friends and peers who were also shortlisted produce such incredible work; I wasn't expecting it at all. I can't explain how happy I am for having the project recognised by such a prestigious organisation and also how grateful I am for the prize. It is going to go a long way to helping me fund my next project in the States."
Chris Bethell, UK
“I’m delighted that what began as a very quiet and personal study of devotion has achieved this recognition. The RPS has such a rich history and respected reputation and I’m excited to exhibit work alongside other international photographers whose work I admire.”
Alys Tomlinson, UK
The IPE is selected from an open-call. This means all genres, types, processes, and experimental techniques can be submitted.
Past exhibitors have documented personal stories, explored new ideas and concepts, created powerful portraits, and crafted striking landscapes of the world we inhabit.
From digital and analogue, to collage and wet collodion, all formats of photographic image-making are eligible.
Exhibition selection is anonymous throughout, including the award winners, with a changing guest selection panel for each edition. The process is both rigorous and fair, where digital image and print work form part of the selection process. Each IPE edition is a unique celebration of photography today.
Explore the collection from recent editions and be inspired to enter in January.
The International Photography Exhibition 162 is currently touring and we look forward to the show returning to RPS Gallery on 23 January 2021 - 5 April 2021.
This edition explores narratives of spirituality, identity, inclusion and the environment, with each photographer bringing their own unique perspective to these universal themes.
The RPS welcomed the contribution of Irish Nigerian photographer Cian Oba-Smith, Shannon Ghannam (Magnum Photos), Skinder Hundal MBE (New Art Exchange), Dr Yan Wang Preston (artist and lecturer) and Dr Michael Pritchard (RPS) in selecting the exhibition.
