World First: Photography Exhibition in Space!

This week marked a world first for photography. 1854 Media, partnered with Sent Into Space, to send 400 photographs 130,000 feet into the stratosphere to be showcased against a backdrop of the Earth. 

Portrait of Humanity Space Exhibition

 

A screen attached to a frame with a transmitter was carried into space by a huge balloon (that's the technical explanation!). The screen showed winning and shortlisted images from the British Journal of Photography's Portrait of Humanity Awards from 2019 and 2020 to broadcast "a message of peace and unity from humankind to space — and possibly even our extra-terrestrial counterparts."

Drawn from Portrait of Humanity, a movement seeking to prove there is more that unites us than sets us apart, the exhibited images showcase the many faces of communities across the world, celebrating humanity in its countless variations. 

If you haven't heard of the Portrait of Humanity before, its an International Awards series from the British Journal of Photography that aims to "show that across oceans and borders, there is more that unites us than sets us apart". 

With the world as disconnected as ever, it sometimes seems like we're connected only by a deadly virus that's globally damaged families, relationships, industries, economies. Yet it feels like the images entered into this amazing award bring us all a little closer. 

Now one of the most viewed photographic exhibitions in global history, the award celebrates the many faces of humanity, and the everyday moments that bind us together.

Alvaro Maria Gomez Pidal Portrait of Humanity 2020
Image: Alvaro Maria Gomez Pidal

Bente Marei Stchowske Portrait of Humanity 2020
Image: Bente Marei Stachowske

Anna Mia Davidson Portrait of Humanity 2020
Image: Anna Mia Davidson

You can watch the video of the exhibition here. 

It will be interesting to see the portraits entered into the 2021 Award. What images will emerge - both inspiring and heart-wrenching - from a year that has given us record temperatures, fires, floods and disease in biblical proportions?  

Enter this year's Portrait of Humanity Award before 22nd October 2020. 

Get your work seen: A run-down of 1854 Media & British Journal of Photography's career changing awards. 

View 100Prints Online Gallery for Female Photographers