International Photography Exhibition 162

This year’s 162nd International Photography Exhibition once again celebrates compelling and contemporary imagery from photographers worldwide. Held continuously since 1854, the world’s longest-running photography exhibition has enabled generations of artists to express themselves without restrictions on age, subject matter, country or context. Photographers are encouraged to explore ideas and perspectives, documenting personal stories, landscapes and the world around them.

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 this edition.

American photographer CODY COBB was awarded first prize for his Strange Land series. The images of stark landscapes were taken during periods of solitude in the American West where Cobb was isolated and without creature comforts.

New-Zealand based artist CHIRAG JINDAL received the Under 30s prize for Into the Underworld / Nga Mahi Rarowhenua, a series documenting his exploration of a network of lava caves beneath Auckland. The innovative collection exists at the intersection of journalism, new art and cartography.

The work of Cody and Chirag features alongside images from 41 international artists.

Call for entries for the International Photography Exhibition 164 (IPE 164) will be announced in January 2022.

Awards include a group exhibition at the Royal Photographic Society, Bristol, and a £4000 prize fund to support future projects. 
 
Entry is through an open-call where we welcome submissions from new, emerging and established international photographers of all ages. Email the Exhibitions team if you’d like to receive a reminder when entry opens.

Visit the exhibition at one of the following venues: 

Beverley Art Gallery, Beverley: 19 September - 16 November 2020 

Oriel Art Gallery, Theatr Clwyd: 28 November 2020 - 16 January 2021

The Museum of Somerset, Taunton: 17 May - 10 July 2021

The Museum of Gloucester, Gloucester: 27 January - 5 June 2022

Learn more about this year's panel of respected industry leaders.

The International Photography Exhibition is available to hire. For further information and for general exhibition enquiries please contact the Exhibitions Team. 

Congratulations to the 43 international photographers selected for the International Photography Exhibition 162.

A network of lava caves hidden beneath Auckland is revealed.

Stark landscapes of the American West awarded in IPE 162.

IPE 162 artist Luca Tombolini shares images from his series LS IX: Vistas Paradossales 

ScanLAB Projects use the latest terrestrial laser 3D scanning equipment, learn more about the process and their project by watching this short video.

Derek Man was selected for the RPS International Photography Exhibition 162. Learn how he created apple pinhole camera’s for his project What Do You See, Old Apple Tree? Including a portrait of Jeremy Corbyn!

The International Photography Exhibition (IPE) is an annual international open-call to photographers and image-makers of all ages. Each year, a touring photographic show is curated by some of the most influential people in photography today.

Steeped in history, the IPE has been held almost every year since 1854, the year after The RPS was founded 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.

The award-winning RPS Journal is exclusively available to RPS members.

As part of the selection process, photographers are shortlisted before the final selection is made. We congratulate all 166 international photographers shortlisted for the exhibition.

Explore our gallery resource created as a teaching aid for visitors aged 11 to 18.