The Historic Photographer of the Year 2023 competition is now open for entries, with flexible categories that encompass landscape photography as well as conventional shots of old buildings.
The contest is organised by History Hit, a podcast and content platform set up by well-known TV historian Dan Snow (above), and has two categories: ‘Historic England’ and ‘World History.’
Last year’s winner was Steve Liddiard with an image of a Welsh wool mill
The Historic England category, run in partnership with Historic England, seeks images that celebrates the best of England’s historic treasures, capturing the true essence of these landmarks, while World History is looking for ‘sensational’ images of historic sites around the world, including natural landscapes.
Last year’s World History category was won by Luke Stackpole with this image from Fenghuang, China
‘I love that our competition is open to all levels,’ said Dan Snow. ‘The passion, skill and art in all submissions means that the right shot at the right time could be the winning entry, regardless of experience.’
Sam Binding won last year’s Historic England category with this drone shot of Glastonbury Tor
Historic Photographer of the Year: judges and prizes
There are two new judges joining the existing panel this year, Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist, Marissa Roth, and Andrew Hepburn, picture editor of The Times. Images will be judged on their originality, composition and technical proficiency, alongside the story behind the shot and the subject’s historical impact.
The overall winner gets £250, while category winners get £50. Additionally, the Historic England category winner will receive up to £100 worth of books selected from the Historic England catalogue.
Entries close at 18:00 BST on 15th October this year, with winners announced on the 14th November. You need to be over 18 to enter and resident in the UK – full entry details can be found here.
From History Hit, August 1st, 2023
History Hit, the podcast, SVOD and content platform founded by historian Dan Snow and acquired by award-winning digital content agency and media network Little Dot Studios, has announced that its Historic Photographer of the Year is back and open for entries from 17:00 BST 01 August 2023.
One of the UK’s biggest history photography competitions has returned with two new judges. Internationally published and Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist, Marissa Roth, and The Times picture editor Andrew Hepburn, join broadcaster and historian, Dan Snow, Historic England’s Claudia Kenyatta and Philip Movbray, Editor of Focus at Picfair, in reviewing the 2023 submissions.
The competition has two categories: ‘Historic England’ and ‘World History’. The Historic England category, run in partnership with the public body Historic England, celebrates the best of England’s historic treasures, capturing the true essence of these landmarks; they serve as vivid reflections of collective history.
Whilst the World History category recognises sensational photographs of historic sites around the world, from renowned sites that trace the fate of civilisations to the lesser-known spots and natural landscapes.
Historic Photographer of the Year calls on photographers of all levels to explore and capture the very best historic sites that the world has to offer. From parks to pubs, palaces to pigsties and barrows to bunkers, History Hit is encouraging everyone to get their cameras at the ready.
Dan Snow, Creative Director at History Hit, said: “Still photography can be so impactful as we’re often educated on these incredible sites through the lens and the eye of the photographer. I love that our competition is open to all levels. The passion, skill and art in all submissions means that the right shot at the right time could be the winning entry regardless of experience. It’s humbling to see the excellence and creativity this competition draws out of people, together with the vast geographical locations that are captured as a moment in time.”
Claudia Kenyatta, Director of Regions at Historic England added: “These awards are a great inspiration to photographers around the globe and showcase stunning historic places, everyday heritage or famous landscapes. I’m delighted to be a judge once again with the opportunity to delve into the beauty and significance of England’s heritage, and excited to witness the creative choices made by the entrants as they capture these timeless treasures through their lenses.”
Photographers can enter their work until 18:00 BST 15 October 2023, via the History Hit website, with winners being announced on the 14 November 2023.The Historic Photographer of the Year Competition is open to amateur and professional photographers over the age of 18 and resident in the UK, excluding Northern Ireland.
All entries will be judged by a panel of five judges, and will be based on their originality, composition and technical proficiency alongside the story behind the image and its historical impact. With the overall winner having their work showcased on the official competition website and receiving a cash prize of £250, category winners stand to win a cash prize of £50. Additionally, the Historic England category winner will also receive up to £100 worth of books selected from the Historic England imprint.
The 2022 winners of the Historic Photographer of the Year include Sam Binding for the Historic England category, with his image of Glastonbury Tor which was shot early in the morning as the sun rose with the mist to create an ethereal scene. And Luke Stackpoole, in the World History category with his image of UNESCO World Heritage site Fenghuang Ancient Town, China. Last year’s winning photographs can be found here.
Further reading
The best cameras for landscape photography
The best lenses for landscape photography
How to master outdoor light
Best photography competitions to enter in 2023
