World Photography in Focus

This spring, several prestigious photography exhibitions take place in Bristol, so you can see the world’s spectacular sights, wonderful wildlife and fabulous food – all in one city. 

The month-long campaign called World Photography in Focus brings together exhibitions from Travel Photographer of the Year, Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Food Photographer of the Year, and RWA’s Photo Open Exhibition as the world’s leading photography comes to Bristol. 

Find out more about each event below – these international exhibitions are set to be a feast for the eyes.

Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year

Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year is the world’s leading awards for food photography and film. It premieres its twelfth exhibition from 20 May – 11 June at The Royal Photographic Society, one of the oldest photographic societies in the world. With over 170 images from more than 25 categories, ranging from politics to portraiture, the exhibition captures the great sweep of stories and cultures in the world of food.

Travel Photographer of the Year

Travel the world this Spring, when the latest winning images from the international Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) awards go on display in a magnificent, free to view, exhibition is set between The Royal Photographic Society and the Martin Parr Foundation. This is the first time this collection of images has been displayed anywhere - and its outside location means that this stunning selection of contemporary travel photography can be seen 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Glorious, sweeping landscapes and seascapes, the beauty and ferocity of this planet's wildlife and the threats to its environment, fascinating glimpses of other lives and other cultures - this exhibition features more than 150 images from hugely talented amateur and professional photographers from all over the world.

On 27 and 28 May, Royal Photographic Society is hosting an Inspiring Photography Weekend, with two full days of talks, panel discussions, portfolio reviews and seminars, plus opportunities to meet some of the most celebrated photographers working across travel, wildlife and conservation. Enjoy a 10% discount using the code RPSInspire when you book. Find out more.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

The renowned wildlife photography competition from the Natural History Museum is back at M Shed with 100 spectacular images. Now in its 58th year, Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the most prestigious photography event of its kind, providing a global platform that showcases some of the best photography talent from around the world. Launching in 1965, today the competition receives entries from over 90 countries all over the world.

Join wildlife writer and photographic editor Roz Kidman Cox for a tour of this year’s prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition on the 17 and 24 May.

Photo Open Exhibition at RWA

This Open Call exhibition invited submissions from artists and photographers, at any stage of their careers, who create photographic work or explore the nature of photography in their work. Often side-lined as a significant artform, the Photo Open aims to showcase the sheer quality and range of photographic work being produced by photographers and artists across the UK and abroad now. 

Picturing High Streets

Throughout March and April, 60 photographs crowdsourced from over a thousand public entries will be exhibited in Merchant Street in Bristol, as part of a touring exhibition. Celebrating high street heroes, captures candid scenes and characters, this exhibition invites you to take a fresh look at a fixture in all of our lives.