Meeting and making new friends, and learning about and experiencing different cultures, is a major factor in our enjoyment of travel and our fascination with travelling. This category is all about those people – young, old or some age in between – the characters we encounter. The focus should be on the uniqueness of those people and their lives, the uniqueness of their cultures and the efforts to maintain and preserve their traditions and way of life.
What subjects can you include?
In a portfolio of four images (colour or black & white) we would like you to show us indigenous people and traditional or emerging cultures which you encounter on your travels around the world, or find in your own home country (or even home town/village!). People – portraits or candid, expressions, encounters, interactions, communication. Cultures – homes, work, families, gatherings, traditions, events, colour, movement, sports.
By entering this category twice, or entering this category once plus one of the other four-image portfolio categories once, you will automatically be given a FREE entry for the overall winner of the 2024 awards and be considered for the top award and the title of Travel Photographer of the Year 2024.
ALL finalists in the portfolio categories will be considered for one of three special judges’ awards. The three selected finalists (who can come from any of the four portfolio categories) will have a portfolio review by a leading New York photographer’s agent.
What are the judges looking for?
A portfolio of four images that captures the personality, character and/or culture of the people you meet on your travels. Originality and creativity.
How many images?
Four images per portfolio.
Am I eligible?
This category is open to all photographers aged 19 and above.
How many times can I enter?
You can enter this category as many times as you want.
What is the category entry fee?
Entry options:
- £22 for one four-image portfolio entry
OR ENTERING MORE THAN ONE PORTFOLIO
- £34 for two four-image portfolios.
OR
- ‘Two Plus Four’ 12-image combination of 4 One Shot entries and 2 four-image portfolios entered at the same time for £55 (full price £82 if entered individually).
Do I need to shoot new material to be able to enter this category?
No! We have always allowed entrants to submit images from their archives – i.e. contemporary photography shot in recent years – and have always said that ‘travel starts when you leave your home’. So it’s your choice. You can travel locally or travel further afield. Entries close on 6th October.
Digital Manipulation
Please see the information on digital manipulation and note that entrants who are shortlisted as finalists will be required to provide the original image files (RAW or jpeg as shot).
No AI generated images will be allowed and any entered will be disqualified.
Prizes
The winner of this category will receive £1250, Radiant Photo imaging software plus membership of the Royal Photographic Society.
The judges will also select their favourite image from all the submitted portfolios. The winner of the Best Single Image award for each portfolio category receives a Genesis Imaging giclée exhibition print.
Special portfolio category award: ALL finalists in the portfolio categories will be considered for one of two special judges’ awards. The three selected finalists (who can come from any of the four portfolio categories) will have a portfolio review by a leading New York photographer’s agent.
HEADER IMAGE © Athanasios Maloukos
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It would not be possible to run Travel Photographer of the Year without the support of our sponsors and partners, and we are hugely grateful for their involvement each year. Click the logo to learn more about each of Travel Photographer of the Year’s sponsor and partners.
