It has been a year like no other in recent memory – and acclaimed photographer Rankin is urging us all to document it for posterity in a mass picture project.
Best known for shooting celebrities and royalty, including David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Kate Moss and the Queen, the famous photographer is now inviting amateurs and professionals alike to share a snap that represents their 2020 to potentially feature in a new TV series.
Whether a new picture or one previously taken since the start of the year, images can be captured on anything from a professional camera to a smartphone.
The best photographs will feature in Rankin’s 2020, a new Sky original series to be broadcast in September to mark the launch of Sky Arts as a free-to-air-channel.
Coronavirus has dominated the headlines in 2020 and Rankin himself documented the crisis earlier this year with striking portraits of 12 doctors, nurses and other NHS staff who have played a vital role in the response to COVID-19.
“Photography is my life and passion and I truly believe it has the power to reveal and connect,” he said in a statement.
“Now we all have cameras in our pockets, I think it’s time to use them.
“Rankin’s 2020 is an open call to anybody who thinks they can take a great picture. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve never taken a photograph before or you’re a professional, I want to see your view of our world.
“Together we can document this crazy year and make something positive out of it.”
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Photographers can submit their images from now until 23 August.
With six parts to the series, each episode of Rankin’s 2020 will focus on a different category – family, fun, self, beauty, empathy and nature – with celebrities joining the photographer each week to select the best entries.
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Rankin will also take his own picture each week, using everything from smartphones to consumer-grade SLR cameras.
Photo submissions can be posted on Instagram, with the hashtag #2020rankin in the description and using the handle @2020rankin.
Rankin’s 2020 will air on Sky Arts in September and will also be available on NOW TV