Photography

The beauty of bygone eras in the best historical photography of 2019

The beauty of bygone eras in the best historical photography of 2019
Shortlist. Library of Strahov Monastery, Prague. Strahov Monastery is a Premonstratensian abbey founded in 1143 by Jindřich Zdík, Bishop John of Prague, and Vladislaus II, Duke of Bohemia. It is located in Strahov, Prague, Czech Republic
Shortlist. Library of Strahov Monastery, Prague. Strahov Monastery is a Premonstratensian abbey founded in 1143 by Jindřich Zdík, Bishop John of Prague, and Vladislaus II, Duke of Bohemia. It is located in Strahov, Prague, Czech Republic
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Overall Winner. Arromanches Mulberry Harbour. The artificial harbour of Arromanches - imagined by Churchill in 1944 to save Europe from Nazism
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Overall Winner. Arromanches Mulberry Harbour. The artificial harbour of Arromanches - imagined by Churchill in 1944 to save Europe from Nazism
Winner Historic England. Roker Pier, Sunderland
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Winner Historic England. Roker Pier, Sunderland
Shortlist. Moscow
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Shortlist. Moscow
Shortlist. Naeroyfjord, Gudvangen. Looking out over the UNESCO site of Naeroyfjord on the banks of Gudvangen
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Shortlist. Naeroyfjord, Gudvangen. Looking out over the UNESCO site of Naeroyfjord on the banks of Gudvangen
Shortlist. Cappadocia, Turkey
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Shortlist. Cappadocia, Turkey
Shortlist. Utah Beach, Normandy. Jack Port fought in France, Belgium, and Germany as a rifleman during World War 2. Throughout that time, Jack was assigned to the 2nd Battalion of the 12th Infantry Regiment attached to the 4th Infantry Division. On D-Day, Jack’s combat experience began at Utah Beach. It continued for 11 more intense weeks as Allied forces fought German troops in the Battle for Normandy
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Shortlist. Utah Beach, Normandy. Jack Port fought in France, Belgium, and Germany as a rifleman during World War 2. Throughout that time, Jack was assigned to the 2nd Battalion of the 12th Infantry Regiment attached to the 4th Infantry Division. On D-Day, Jack’s combat experience began at Utah Beach. It continued for 11 more intense weeks as Allied forces fought German troops in the Battle for Normandy
Shortlist. Elie Ness Lighthouse, east coast of Scotland
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Shortlist. Elie Ness Lighthouse, east coast of Scotland
Shortlist. Moscow
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Shortlist. Moscow
Shortlist. El Castillo at Chichen Itza, Mexico. The main pyramid El Castillo at Chichen Itza, Mexico
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Shortlist. El Castillo at Chichen Itza, Mexico. The main pyramid El Castillo at Chichen Itza, Mexico
Shortlist. Wells Cathedral, Wells, UK
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Shortlist. Wells Cathedral, Wells, UK
Shortlist. Tre Cime di Lavaredo. These iconic peaks are littered with historic bunkers, ruins, and tunnels used during World War I between Italy and the Austro-Hungarian armies. The Dolomites became a battleground between both armies and the elements of nature
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Shortlist. Tre Cime di Lavaredo. These iconic peaks are littered with historic bunkers, ruins, and tunnels used during World War I between Italy and the Austro-Hungarian armies. The Dolomites became a battleground between both armies and the elements of nature
Shortlist. Rosedale Ironworks, North York Moors UK. The iron mining community in Rosedale flourished for three generations from 1850 till 1929 when it was abandoned
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Shortlist. Rosedale Ironworks, North York Moors UK. The iron mining community in Rosedale flourished for three generations from 1850 till 1929 when it was abandoned
Shortlist. Varanasi and the river Ganges. Varanasi, also known as Banaras, is one of the holiest sites for Hindus. In this scene you can see worshippers washing in the Ganges from the cities famous Ghats, additionally you can see the Alamgir Mosque built in 1669 by the Mughal Emperor of the same name
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Shortlist. Varanasi and the river Ganges. Varanasi, also known as Banaras, is one of the holiest sites for Hindus. In this scene you can see worshippers washing in the Ganges from the cities famous Ghats, additionally you can see the Alamgir Mosque built in 1669 by the Mughal Emperor of the same name
Shortlist. Stonehenge. Stonehenge glowing under the Milky Way in the early hours of 7th August, 2019
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Shortlist. Stonehenge. Stonehenge glowing under the Milky Way in the early hours of 7th August, 2019
Shortlist. Badshahi Mosque, Lahore. The Badshahi Mosque of Lahore is a magnificent example of Mughal architecture. Completed in 1673 by Emperor Aurangzeb, its distinctive red sandstone, white marble and giant domes have graced Lahore ever since, outliving the Mughal Empire, the Sikh era and British rule despite falling into disrepair
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Shortlist. Badshahi Mosque, Lahore. The Badshahi Mosque of Lahore is a magnificent example of Mughal architecture. Completed in 1673 by Emperor Aurangzeb, its distinctive red sandstone, white marble and giant domes have graced Lahore ever since, outliving the Mughal Empire, the Sikh era and British rule despite falling into disrepair
Shortlist. Sagrada Familia, Barcelona
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Shortlist. Sagrada Familia, Barcelona
Shortlist. Qasr Bshir, Roman Fort, Jordan. One of the best preserved examples of a Roman fort in Jordan, The Latin inscription above the entrance records that it was built in 293–305 AD
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Shortlist. Qasr Bshir, Roman Fort, Jordan. One of the best preserved examples of a Roman fort in Jordan, The Latin inscription above the entrance records that it was built in 293–305 AD
Shortlist. Tomb of Safdar Jang. The spectacular Tomb of Safdar Jang located in New Delhi, India. Constructed in 1754 it is a shining example of Mughal architecture
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Shortlist. Tomb of Safdar Jang. The spectacular Tomb of Safdar Jang located in New Delhi, India. Constructed in 1754 it is a shining example of Mughal architecture
Shortlist. Library of Strahov Monastery, Prague. Strahov Monastery is a Premonstratensian abbey founded in 1143 by Jindřich Zdík, Bishop John of Prague, and Vladislaus II, Duke of Bohemia. It is located in Strahov, Prague, Czech Republic
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Shortlist. Library of Strahov Monastery, Prague. Strahov Monastery is a Premonstratensian abbey founded in 1143 by Jindřich Zdík, Bishop John of Prague, and Vladislaus II, Duke of Bohemia. It is located in Strahov, Prague, Czech Republic
Shortlist. Gergeti Trinity Bell-Tower, Georgia.
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Shortlist. Gergeti Trinity Bell-Tower, Georgia.
Shortlist. Petra, Jordan. After a winding trek through the Siq, the grand caravan entrance into Petra, visitors get a glimpse of the city’s most famous building, ‘Al Khazneh’
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Shortlist. Petra, Jordan. After a winding trek through the Siq, the grand caravan entrance into Petra, visitors get a glimpse of the city’s most famous building, ‘Al Khazneh’
Shortlist. Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England
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Shortlist. Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England
Shortlist. The Shambles - York. A historic Street located in the heart of the city of York. Although mentioned in the Domesday Book most of the buildings date to 14th-15th century and mainly comprised of butchers til late 19th century
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Shortlist. The Shambles - York. A historic Street located in the heart of the city of York. Although mentioned in the Domesday Book most of the buildings date to 14th-15th century and mainly comprised of butchers til late 19th century
Shortlist. Jama Masjid, Delhi. The Masjid e Jahan Numa, commonly known as the Jama Masjid of Delhi, is one of the largest mosques in India. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1650 and 1656
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Shortlist. Jama Masjid, Delhi. The Masjid e Jahan Numa, commonly known as the Jama Masjid of Delhi, is one of the largest mosques in India. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1650 and 1656
Shortlist. Lalbagh Fort, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Lalbagh Fort is an incomplete 17th century Mughal fort complex that stands before the Buriganga River in the southwestern part of Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Shortlist. Lalbagh Fort, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Lalbagh Fort is an incomplete 17th century Mughal fort complex that stands before the Buriganga River in the southwestern part of Dhaka, Bangladesh
Shortlist. Dovercourt, Essex
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Shortlist. Dovercourt, Essex
Shortlist. Caudilla Castle, Toledo. The ruins of the castle of Caudilla are in the ghost town of that name and date from the year 1450 AD, time from which it has collapsed in different weather events
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Shortlist. Caudilla Castle, Toledo. The ruins of the castle of Caudilla are in the ghost town of that name and date from the year 1450 AD, time from which it has collapsed in different weather events
Shortlist. Bangladesh
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Shortlist. Bangladesh
Shortlist. Raglan Castle
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Shortlist. Raglan Castle
Shortlist. Redsand Seafort, Thames Estuary. A WW2 defence structure in the Thames Estuary
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Shortlist. Redsand Seafort, Thames Estuary. A WW2 defence structure in the Thames Estuary
Shortlist. St.Clements Hospital. A mental health facility closed in 2005, located on the Mile End Road, London
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Shortlist. St.Clements Hospital. A mental health facility closed in 2005, located on the Mile End Road, London
Shortlist. Warden Point Radar Station, Isle of Sheppey
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Shortlist. Warden Point Radar Station, Isle of Sheppey
Shortlist. Yarnbury Lead Mines, Grassington, Yorkshire. These flues lie just below the surface of the moor and were used to carry the smoke away from the smelting process
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Shortlist. Yarnbury Lead Mines, Grassington, Yorkshire. These flues lie just below the surface of the moor and were used to carry the smoke away from the smelting process
Shortlist. Horyu-ji Temple complex, Nara, Japan. Some of the oldest wooden buildings in the world, the ancient Horyu-ji Temple complex was built in 607 and was one of the earliest UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country
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Shortlist. Horyu-ji Temple complex, Nara, Japan. Some of the oldest wooden buildings in the world, the ancient Horyu-ji Temple complex was built in 607 and was one of the earliest UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country
Shortlist. Corfe Castle in the Clouds
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Shortlist. Corfe Castle in the Clouds
Shortlist. Corfe Castle
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Shortlist. Corfe Castle
Shortlist. Pyramids of Giza
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Shortlist. Pyramids of Giza
Shortlist. Solheimasandur Aircraft Crash Site, Iceland. In November, 1973 a United States Navy Douglas R4D-8 (Super DC-3) crash landed on the black volcanic beaches of southern Iceland, luckily all on board survived
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Shortlist. Solheimasandur Aircraft Crash Site, Iceland. In November, 1973 a United States Navy Douglas R4D-8 (Super DC-3) crash landed on the black volcanic beaches of southern Iceland, luckily all on board survived
Shortlist. Musseden Temple, Northern Ireland. Mussenden Temple is a small circular building located on cliffs near Castlerock in County Derry, Northern Ireland. The temple was built in 1785 and forms part of the estate of Frederick Augustus Hervey, the 4th Earl of Bristol, Bishop of Derry
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Shortlist. Musseden Temple, Northern Ireland. Mussenden Temple is a small circular building located on cliffs near Castlerock in County Derry, Northern Ireland. The temple was built in 1785 and forms part of the estate of Frederick Augustus Hervey, the 4th Earl of Bristol, Bishop of Derry
Shortlist. Bled Lake. The Church dedicated to the Assumption of Mary on Bled Island
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Shortlist. Bled Lake. The Church dedicated to the Assumption of Mary on Bled Island
Shortlist. Scotney Castle, Kent
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Shortlist. Scotney Castle, Kent
Shortlist. Mamaev, Kurgan, Russia
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Shortlist. Mamaev, Kurgan, Russia
Shortlist Historic England. Tower Bridge, London
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Shortlist Historic England. Tower Bridge, London
Shortlist. King’s College Chapel, University of Cambridge
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Shortlist. King’s College Chapel, University of Cambridge
Shortlist. Ely Cathedral, UK
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Shortlist. Ely Cathedral, UK
Shortlist. Moscow
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Shortlist. Moscow
Shortlist. Shravanabelagola Temple. This was shot in a small town of Karnataka, Shravanabelagola, where thousands of devotees especially from Jain religion come every month to offer their prayers to Lord Bahubhali
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Shortlist. Shravanabelagola Temple. This was shot in a small town of Karnataka, Shravanabelagola, where thousands of devotees especially from Jain religion come every month to offer their prayers to Lord Bahubhali
Shortlist. Albert Memorial
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Shortlist. Albert Memorial
Shortlist Historic England. Castlerigg Stone Circle. This 4500 year old stone circle is to be found near Keswick, Cumbria, UK
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Shortlist Historic England. Castlerigg Stone Circle. This 4500 year old stone circle is to be found near Keswick, Cumbria, UK
Shortlist Historic England. Swinside Stone Circle. One of the lesser visited late Neolithic sites around Cumbria
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Shortlist Historic England. Swinside Stone Circle. One of the lesser visited late Neolithic sites around Cumbria
Shortlist Historic England. St Michael's Mount
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Shortlist Historic England. St Michael's Mount
Shortlist Historic England. The Grand Shaft, Dover.
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Shortlist Historic England. The Grand Shaft, Dover.
Shortlist Historic England. St Thomas a Becket church. The remote church of St Thomas a Becket located in Romney Marsh, the town of Fairfield that used to surround it has long since disappeared
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Shortlist Historic England. St Thomas a Becket church. The remote church of St Thomas a Becket located in Romney Marsh, the town of Fairfield that used to surround it has long since disappeared
Shortlist Historic England. Bolton Abbey
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Shortlist Historic England. Bolton Abbey
View gallery - 54 images

In its third year, the Historic Photographer of the Year contest has quickly become one of the most captivating photo competitions on the annual calendar. This year’s set of winning and shortlisted images delivers a rich selection of photographs, from ancient stone circles in the UK to beautiful Islamic architecture in Pakistan.

“When it comes to evocative, breath-taking imagery that makes you truly consider the world around you, historic and cultural photography is hard to beat,” says famous historian and podcaster Dan Snow, a judge in this year’s contest. “The wonderful entries we’ve seen in this year’s awards highlight everything from the haunting remains of the Normandy beaches to astonishing shots of ancient forts and exceptional imagery from a lost industrial past. It reminds people that exploring history is an adventure, where you stumble across decaying remnants of the past and remember the incredible stories that took place all around us.”

Overall Winner. Arromanches Mulberry Harbour. The artificial harbour of Arromanches - imagined by Churchill in 1944 to save Europe from Nazism
Overall Winner. Arromanches Mulberry Harbour. The artificial harbour of Arromanches - imagined by Churchill in 1944 to save Europe from Nazism

The competition is impressively straightforward, with one main category, and a secondary category focusing exclusively on historic English locations. Alongside all the usual photo contest judging criteria (originality, composition, aesthetics, etc), the judges also add weight to the historical narrative behind every submission.

This year’s overall winner was a shot of the ruins of Arromanches Mulberry Harbour in Normandy. These artificial harbours, called Mulberry harbours, were a vital part of the Allied invasion of Normandy, enabling the rapid offloading of cargo after beachheads were established following D-Day.

Shortlist. Pyramids of Giza
Shortlist. Pyramids of Giza

“The wonderful use of light, perspective and composition to produce an image which conveys the futility and yet – in the case of World War Two in particular – the necessity of war, to defeat the forces of tyranny and oppression, made this stand out from the other wonderful entries,” explains another judge in this year’s contest, Dan Korn, VP of Programming for the UK History channel.

Other memorable shortlisted images from this years contest include a look at one of the oldest wooden structures in the world – the Horyu-ji Temple complex in Japan – an unusual angle on Barcelona’s iconic Sagrada Familia, and a beautiful snap of The Shambles – an old street in York.

Shortlist. The Shambles - York. A historic Street located in the heart of the city of York. Although mentioned in the Domesday Book most of the buildings date to 14th-15th century and mainly comprised of butchers til late 19th century
Shortlist. The Shambles - York. A historic Street located in the heart of the city of York. Although mentioned in the Domesday Book most of the buildings date to 14th-15th century and mainly comprised of butchers til late 19th century

Take a look through our gallery at more of the winning and shortlisted entries in this year’s contest.

Source: Historic Photographer of the Year

View gallery - 54 images
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