Historic Photographer of the Year Awards 2021 has revealed the winners and shortlisted entries, which were unveiled by Dan Snow (broadcaster and historian).
The awards received submissions from both professionals and amateurs around the globe. They were evaluated on originality, composition, technical proficiency, and the historical significance of the submission.
The shortlisted entries and winners from the UK Historical Locations competition included Glastonbury Tor and Hadrian’s Wall. Further afield, photographers trained their lenses on a war memorial in Ypres, Belgium, Uzbekistan’s Shah-i-Zinda mausoleum and the Atomic Dome in Hiroshima, Japan.
Steve Liddiard, a photographer from South Wales won the overall award for his “spellbinding” shot of Whiteford Point Lighthouse.
Commenting on the awards, judge Dan Snow said: ‘This year’s awards featured an outstanding array of fantastic and fascinating historical places across the globe. The wonderful entries we’ve seen highlight both the immense heritage that surrounds us, along with the often precarious and fragile nature of some of our most precious locations of cultural value. This award demonstrates the incredible dedication shown by entrants in capturing the perfect shot.
Scroll down for the stunning winning images and those that were shortlisted.
This captivating photo was taken by Yevhen Samuchenko, a Ukrainian photographer. It has been shortlisted for the Historic Photographer of the Year award in the main category. It depicts what remains from a US Navy C-117D airplane, that crashed on Solheimasandur (on the south coast of Iceland) in 1973.
Samuchenko also took this amazing photograph that was nominated in the main contest category. It was taken at night and shows Mestia, northwestern Georgia. The town is 4,921ft (1.500m) high in the Caucasus Mountains. Samuchenko attempted to capture Mestia’s “old towers” through the photograph
Here’s a beautiful aerial view of St Michael’s Tower, Glastonbury Tor in Somerset at dawn on a cold winter morning. Adam Burton took this photo and it was selected in the main category.
LEFT: Steve Liddiard’s winning photo of the cast-iron Whiteford Lighthouse. Liddiard explained that the Llanelli Harbour-Burry Navigation Commissioner constructed the lighthouse, according to John Bowen of Llanelli’s design. Right: This Victorian Viaduct can be easily missed, as it is hidden in the valley and crosses over the River Douglas. So says photographer Paul Harris of the Twenty Bridges Viaduct in Greater Manchester, which features in this main-category-shortlisted shot. Manchester-born photographer Paul Harris recalled the day of the shot and said that after reviewing his original photos, he felt there was something missing. To give scale to the image and to help fix your eyes, I returned to it and added myself.
The transfixing winning image in the Where History Happened category was taken by Iain McCallum via drone. This image shows two barges, Wastdale H or Arkendale H that collided with each other in the River Severn in Gloucestershire on October 1960. McCallum explained: ‘Out of control, the barges drifted and struck the River Severn Railway Bridge causing severe damage. Five men died in the accident. You can see the wrecks only when it is low tide.
The beautiful image, which was nominated in the main category, shows the inside of the 15th-century Wells Cathedral. Christopher Robin Marsham took the picture and said that it gives a rare opportunity for people to view the Cathedral exactly as they were when it was built.
LEFT: Bristol-based landscape photographer Sam Binding snared this atmospheric snapshot, which illustrates the Dorset village of Corfe Castle, which has an identically named castle. The main award category shortlisted it. Binding explains that he was visiting the village for a couple of days and found the perfect weather. Binding says that the weather was ideal for photographing, with a misty sunrise being followed by beautiful sunsets. A quick shot was taken on the street to show how impressive the castle ruins were. This is truly a stunning place to visit. RIGHT: Binding took a second Corfe Castle photo that was so impressive, they awarded him a finalist award in the Where History Happened category. Binding describes this castle shot as “as spectacular for photography, as it is for the history.” Just in time to see the sun rise, I awoke early and began my climb up a hill. A couple of moments later, fog began to lift and the best rays became visible through the castle’s ruins. It is without doubt one of my most favorite locations and is rightly high up on many photographers’ bucket lists.
Binding also created this stunning image of Clifton Suspension Bridge that won the Historic England top prize. Binding shares the story behind this photograph: Binding said, “I frequently take my dog for walks at sunrise in Bristol. A photo of the misty river under Clifton Suspension Bridge is top of many photographers’ bucket lists. That is exactly what I was able to see that morning. The sunrise was the best time to see it. He added: “The bridge serves as a gateway into the city. The mist adds magic to an already spectacular scene.”
LEFT: A fourth and final photograph by Binding, which was shortlisted in the Historic England category. This photograph shows Burrow Mump’s historic hill, overlooking Somerset’s Southlake Moor. Binding states that Burrow Mump, which is often overlooked by Glastonbury Tor (its neighbour over the Somerset Levels), makes a great location for photographing. According to Binding, “This night was very clear and still and ideal for astrophotography. You can see Jupiter through the archway on the side.” RIGHT: Photographer Jo Borzsony captures the moment that sunlight filters into Hereford Cathedral in this breathtaking shot. This shot was nominated in Historic England.
You’ll find a segment of Hadrian’s Wall lit by the sun above, located near the boundary between England and Scotland. It spans 73miles (117km). Kayleigh Blair took this photo, and it was shortlisted for the Where History Happened category.
Michael Welch, photographer, reveals that this is Neuschwanstein Castle (Bavaria, Germany) on a misty morning. He was selected in the main category. Welch mentions that the castle was constructed in the latter part of the 19th Century and has been a source of inspiration for many Disney castles.
Michael Marsh captured this stunning photograph by turning his lens to Kent’s Reculver towers, Herne Bay. The photo was selected for the Historic England Category Shortlist.
Matthew Turner created this striking photo. This photograph was nominated in Historic England and depicts a beautiful sunrise at Swinside Stone Circle, also called Sunkenkirk, ‘in quiet corner of Lake District. Turner recalls that the morning sun rose above the distant hills and lit up the stones, creating an atmosphere of magic. According to Turner, a legend states that the Devil pulled down stones each night and created the stone circle.
Foggintor Quarry on Dartmoor in Devon is the backdrop for this beautiful photo. Jean-Claude Thelen captured it in Historic England and said that he liked the juxtaposition between Foggintor Quarry’s ruins and Princetown TV Transmitter. Although it was somewhat eerie, the experience of spending the night there was well-worth the effort.
John Cuthbert captured this photo. The photograph made it to the top of the main categories. This photograph depicts the Unesco-listed Forth Bridge which runs along the Firth Of Forth, east of Scotland.
Andrew McCaren, a Leeds photographer was the one behind this photo. It shows the passenger vessel 1935 MV Western Belle crossing ‘the calm waters off Ullswater in Cumbria’. It was shortlisted for the Historic England category
McCaren also took another image showing Scarborough Lighthouse at Vincent Pier, ‘obscured by sea fog along the Yorkshire coast.’ This image was nominated in the main category
David Oxtaby (a West Yorkshire-based photographer) took this photograph of York’s Shambles shopping district. This picture is in the main category. Oxtaby said that the street is a 14-century old butcher’s road. She added: Shambles was an ancient name for a meat market or slaughterhouse. It is quieter today and more clean. The John Bull Fudge Shop is in the background, showing an old timber building.
LEFT: This poignant picture shows The Atomic Dome in Hiroshima, Japan. Wayne Budge took the picture and it was nominated in the Where History Happened category. Wayne says, “From the moment I got off the Shinkansen bullettrain in Hiroshima I knew it was going to an emotional experience.” According to Wayne, ‘all of the information you hear about Hiroshima’s bombing and Nagasaki’ cannot prepare you for the reality you will experience. According to the Australian photographer, the Atomic Dome was one of the few structures that survived after the US dropped anatomic bomb on Hiroshima in August 1945. Budge continued: “The destruction of Hiroshima saw almost 100,000 die from radiation poisoning or explosions before 1945 ended.” But, on the other side, I have been to Hawaii several times and seen the horrors that were unleashed at Pearl Harbour. There are always losers and no winners in war. Hiroshima citizens, who are peace-loving and beautiful after experiencing annihilation, were a peaceful people. All of them are now vying to create a world without nuclear weapons. Let’s all pray that these atrocities will not happen again. RIGHT: This picture – shortlisted in the main category – shows Dunstanburgh Castle on the coast of Northumberland by night. James Abbott from Cambridge was behind this lens. His picture depicts moonlight shining on the ground, and the stars above it.
Harishkumar Shah won this photograph at Clevedon Pier (Clevedon), Somerset. This picture was selected in the main category. Shah explained that the pier was opened in 1869 and it has been a popular paddle-steamer excursion for nearly 100 years. Shah feels a special connection to this coastal location. According to Shah, “This Pier is Very Near Us – The Last rites of My Mother were done there in 2020.”
Guy Sargent took this photo of HMS Belfast at London. Sargent describes the picture, which was nominated in the main category. He says, “As the night rises, HMS Belfast appears, now resting in her permanent place on the River Thames.”
LEFT: These intriguing photographs, featuring the remnants of the Kingdom Of Commagene on Mount Nemrut near Adiyaman in Turkey are featured in the “Where History Happened” category. RIGHT: This eerie image of a Brewery Shaft in Nenthead Mines, Cumbria, was shortlisted in the Historic England category. Tom McNally captured the photograph while abseiling. He said: “Dating back to 1839, Brewery Shaft was built originally for access to the massive Nenthead lead mines. These are now defunct. This site has been designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument as well as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Construction of the shaft is one of the first industrial uses of concrete in Britain. The pipes that line the walls are part of an air-conditioning system which generated compressed air for the mining machinery. This excess power enabled Nenthead, a remote Cumbrian settlement to receive electric street lighting. Photographer notes in the image that a miner explorer climbs to reach the “crumbling network below” of workshops and passageways.
Edward McCavana, photographer of this photo, describes it as the Russian cruiser Aurora. The museum is moored in St Petersburg today. According to Edward McCavana, based in County Down the photographer said that the ship had once fired blank rounds in order to announce the Storming of Saint Petersburg’s Winter Palace, 1917.
The Battersea Power Station is shown in the picture. It’s a landmark and beloved London landmark. Pete Edmunds claimed that the image, which was in the main category of the contest was chosen. It shows the construction site frozen in February 2019. Edmunds captured the image without any workers present when he took it. According to Edmunds, a series of steps at the beginning of the shot invites the viewer up to enter the scene. We see evidence of industry throughout the desolate location, including cement mixers and ladders as well as storage boxes and cables. He continued, stating that the London-based photographer was partially covered in protective clothing during its development. Cranes were the inspiration for me to capture this dynamic urban landscape. A multitude of tall-rise cranes dominating the skyline dominate the scene, each one seemingly facing in the exact same direction. They seem to have taken over, even though they are still asleep.
Robert James has captured London’s Tower Bridge at an unusual angle. This photo was selected in the main category. James says that at low tide the River Thames hides medieval structures under London’s Tower Bridge. He says that the shooting must be done at the exact beginning of the receding water – once it allows access to the foreshore.
Alfredo Corrao took this incredible shot of Paestum’s Temple of Hera II, which is located in Campania in Italy. This image, listed in Unesco World Heritage, was selected for the Where History Happened Category. The Rome-born photographer explains that the temple was built around 460–450 BC. It would be closed if it was still being used by the fourth and fifth centuries, during persecutions of pagans in the Roman Empire.
The evocative shot, shortlisted for the Where History Happened award, shows the tower block of Pripyat that was destroyed by the Chernobyl nuclear explosion. Graham Harries was the photographer. He said, “Today you are able to wander through the city without having to be accompanied by the ghosts of old.” He recalls the exact moment that he snapped the photo and says, “After seeing the sun set from one of 16 tower blocks’ roofs, I turned my head up to view the Milky Way over me, as well as my traveling companions going down the stairs of the tower block. The lights looked as if they were returning to Chernobyl with the torchlights.
Harries is also responsible for this image of The Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Ypres, Belgium, which was similarly shortlisted in the Where History Happened category. His words: “The Menin Gate Memorial was designed by Sir Reginald Blomefield and constructed by the Imperial War Graves Commission. The Menin Gate Memorial was opened on July 24, 1927.” He also said that the memorial walls were engraved with names of almost 55,000 Commonwealth and British soldiers who died on the battlefield. However, there are no known graves. Their lives were shared by a father and a brother, as well as a son. “As I attempted to absorb the enormity and sadness of this loss of life, a lady came through the archway and gave me my respects,” continued the photographer. The lady was able to carry a red poppie under her umbrella, which was a blessing for me.
This Historic England-shortlisted photo was taken by Leslee. He calls the landmark “Reading’s Majestic Crown”. The photographer claims that the photo shows Reading’s last gas tower. According to him, it is being demolished to make space for flats. Leslee said: “It’s one of the five last towers and it’s a beloved landmark. The day I found out it would be destroyed, I made every effort to save it. It was postponed twice. “I can see it standing proud at the bottom my street every day,” she adds.
Grade I listed Guildhall is Leicester’s oldest remaining building. Mary Payne captured this image of the Guildhall. Mary Payne was the shortlisted for the main category.
The image depicts Bandon’s Coquille River Lighthouse, which was nominated in the Where History Happened category. Elizabeth Hak (photographer) captured the image. She says that the lighthouse was first used to provide light for the ocean in 1896. The explanation she gave was: “In September 1936, there was a small fire that resulted from logging operations. It almost destroyed the town and nearly bankrupted it. The lighthouse, which was located on the north side of Coquille River was not affected by the floods. Locals sought refuge in the lighthouse. Rose, the lighthouse tender played an important role in the event. She was a communication hub that relayed information to all those responsible. Rose, the lighthouse tender, was a key player in the event and relayed information to those responsible. In 1939, the lighthouse was taken out of service and gradually fell into decline. The lighthouse was renovated and opened for public viewing in 1971.
Hak was also the one who captured this photo, and this time she turned her camera to the Esztergom Basilica. Esztergom is in Hungary. This picture was selected in the main category. Hak explains that Esztergom Basilica (the seat of Hungary’s Catholic Church) is Hungary’s largest and tallest church. It is also the location of numerous churches that were founded in 1001 and most of which have been destroyed or burned down by marauding forces. The Archdiocese was finally restored in 1820 and the archbishop declared it the’mother church of the nation.
You can see the Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, located in Samarkand in Uzbekistan. Julian Elliott was the photographer who captured the photo, and it made the cut in the Historic Photographer of the Year category.
This is a shot of the incredible Niteroi Contemporary Art Museum, Rio de Janeiro Brazil. It was shortlisted for the main category. Oscar Niemeyer, a famous Brazilian architect, designed the building which was opened in 1996.
Below is Scott Antcliffe’s photo of the sun rising above Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland Coast. This photograph was nominated in the Where History Happed category. According to Antcliffe, the castle has been proudly standing over the coastline for more than 1,400 years. Antcliffe added: “It was the very first castle in England that fell to gunpowder, in 1464, during the War of the Roses. James I and King Henry VI also named it home.