Thames Lens 2023: Capture Your Thames Vision

For 17 years Thames Lens has encouraged non-professional photographers to get out and explore the River Thames through a creative lens. We have four distinct categories, each of which speak to different facets of the river that all offer different potential.

Prizes include River Roamer tickets each courtesy of Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, spots on walks with London Streets Photography, and much more.

Deadline: Friday 12 January 2024

The winners will be chosen by a panel comprised of representatives from Thames Festival Trust, Port of London Authority, and Artist and Curator, Kate Coe.

“This is a great competition. It can be something you tackle soon, as the hot summer runs through, or you can pause and come to the Thames’ banks in cooler times when autumnal colours abound. Whenever you choose to come, show us the Thames through your eyes, through your lens. This year, we are keen to see how the Trading Thames can be captured and reflected too, so get busy, look for the story of the UK’s largest port and busiest inland waterway and share it!” -- Alistair Gale Director of Corporate Affairs, Strategy & Thames Vision

• Categories
  Architecture: The Thames is lined by and covered with iconic architectural buildings including Brutalist Royal Festival Hall, Tower Bridge’s Gothic Revival and Isambard Brunel’s Tunnel Shaft. This incredible range is something that makes the Thames such a joy to photograph. Enter this category and focus on the interaction between these buildings and bridges have with the River Thames.
• Landscape: The stunning landscapes of the River are a sight to behold – with completely different dramatic views offered as the Thames curves and winds its way from West to East. Capture wide shots of the River that runs through London and the outskirts and show off just how incredible the views can be.
  Nature: The River Thames is home to hundreds of species of fish and having been considered biologically dead is now seeing a resurgence of animal and plant activity. Seals, birds, and more love to call the Thames their home, so head East and West to photograph these inhabitants.
• People & the River: One of the factors that makes the Thames so vibrant is how people interact with it on different levels. From calling it home, to using it for water sports, and even working on it – people bring the river to life: the perfect subject for a photo.
• Working River: London is home to the UK’s largest port, helping to make the Thames the busiest river in England for transporting freight, and for passengers, both seeing the sights and commuting to work. These industries are vital for London’s economy and form an important part of the Thames’ rich river tapestry.

Please read the Terms and Conditions carefully before entering

“We are thrilled that our annual Thames Lens competition attracts hundreds of submissions, and we are always surprised and delighted by the extraordinary diverse ways in which photographers respond to this great river of ours as it flows through our capital city. Long may the Thames be a source of inspiration and joy for us all!” -- Adrian Evans, Director, Thames Festival Trust