Royal Photographic Society: Documentary Photography Awards Exhibition

The RPS Documentary Photography Award is an international event attracting exceptional documentary and visual storytellers from across the world.

The RPS Documentary Photography Award is an international competition attracting exceptional visual storytellers from across the world. Documentary photography is a unique medium that communicates the human condition seen through a moment in time. Documentary Group Chair, Mark Phillips, said “This year’s competition aimed to be much more inclusive to expand its reach, thus increasing its relevance. With over 3500 images from across the world and an international panel of judges, I think we’ve achieved that.”

While the while conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are seen as the paramount issues of the time, it is also important that other stories are told. The competition recognises and celebrates the work of photographers who have used a distinctive personal approach to documenting conflict, social, political and environmental issues affecting communities and individuals.

In total 9 projects are exhibited, with 3 projects from each of a Members, Students and an Open category. This format enables us to show long-form documentary work from our own RPS members, plus work of student photographers, as well as from more seasoned and experienced photographers in the open category. The selected projects are diverse; ranging from the impact of conflict and war, migration, reflections on history and memory, performance, ageing, mental health and childhood. They provide an insight into the range of what can be documentary and how it can be used to tell stories.

The touring exhibition showing a selection of work from the award-winning entrants will be Exhibited at St. John’s College, Oxford from 8th to 27th October.