While foreign travel remains uncertain for the immediate future, you can still ‘travel’ the world without leaving London when the latest winning images from the international Travel Photographer of the Year awards (TPOTY) go on display in a superb, FREE, open-air photography exhibition next month at Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross, London (12 May – 10 June). (Image shows part of last year’s exhibition.)
From majestic landscapes, intimate animal and bird portraits and intriguing night-time views beneath the ocean’s surface to harrowing reportage of life under siege in Syria and glimpses of cultures across the world, the winning images in the 2020 TPOTY awards present a fascinating view of life on our planet, at a time in which travel is still so difficult for so many of us. The COVID pandemic inevitably had an impact on the 2020 awards, with some entrants submitting images taken close to home during lockdown, while others photographed countries in which they had unexpectedly found themselves stranded as temporary long-term residents. TPOTY founder Chris Coe commented: “These winners are spectacular in their beauty, range, drama, elegance and, in some cases, poignancy. In tough times they will bring a warmth and joy to many and confirm that there is skill, insight, vision and art in travel photography.”
Just a short walk from King’s Cross and St Pancras stations, adjacent to Granary Square and Regent’s canal, Coal Drops Yard is host to this stunning showcase of world-class contemporary travel photography. The exhibition opens on 12 May and runs until 10 June and is viewable 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Exhibition visitors will be able to vote for their favourite image online, and everybody who votes will be entered into a draw for the chance to win a range of prizes including a one-day private photography lesson with TPOTY founder Chris Coe. In addition, Travel Photographer of the Year will be running a series of Fujifilm-supported tutored photography walks around the photogenic Coal Drops Yard and Kings Cross/Regents Canal area towards the end of the exhibition period, when COVID restrictions permit.
Professional and amateur photographers from 147 countries submitted some 25,000 images, shot on everything from high-end professional cameras to mobile phones. The exhibition will provide ideal inspiration for aspiring entrants for the 2021 TPOTY awards, which open for entry in May.Coal Drops Yard is London’s boldest shopping and dining district, home to a unique mix of emerging and established brands. The iconic location brings together heritage buildings, cobbled streets and the original ironwork of the Victorian coal drops with contemporary architecture from Heatherwick Studio. A pedestrian oasis in the heart of central London, Coal Drops Yard is moments from the Regents Canal and set within the King’s Cross estate which offers 27-acres of open, public space and parks, and a wealth of retail, dining and cultural activities to be explored.
Our sponsors and partners
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.
