Fingerprints of the Earth by Ruan Kezhuang (2019)
A shortlist of 50 of the best environmental photographs and four films that document the Earth in all its diversity, have been selected for the Society’s Earth Photo competition, opening as a virtual exhibition today.
Developed in partnership with Forestry England, this year’s competition explores the themes of people, place, nature, changing forests and the new category: a climate of change.
2020’s shortlist is made up of varied artwork chosen to promote discussion and to help better connect us with the world by sharing stories about our planet, its inhabitants and our treatment of both. From plastic-polluted seas in Kuwait, habitat loss threatening seals in Antarctica and homeless children in Bangladesh, to Chinese tea pickers, seaweed cultivators in Zanzibar and fishermen from Vietnam, the selected images capture a sense of our often awe-inspiring and always dynamic world at a time when human influence and activity is in sharp focus.
The shortlist was selected by a distinguished panel with expertise in the fields of photography, film, journalism, geography and the environment. Chaired by Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Marissa Roth, the panel included photographer Matthew Arnold; Editor of Geographical magazine, Katie Burton; photographer, Tim Flach; lecturer and artist, Vron Harris; Director of Photography at Geo Magazine, Magdalena Herrera; photographer Simon Norfolk, and Director of Education and Public Affairs at the Royal Photographic Society, Michael Pritchard.
The shortlisted images will be exhibited at the Society from 7 December 2020 to 26 February 2021 as well as at Forestry England sites between autumn 2020 and spring 2021, including Grizedale and Moors Valley. Winners will be presented with their prizes at an awards ceremony at the Society later in the year once social distancing restrictions have been lifted.
Visit the virtual exhibition here.