The contest is for people who are sleeping rough or have been recently homeless, and the idea is to build self-esteem and confidence in London's homeless.

The photographs will be used in a calendar which will be sold in markets later on this year.

Dr Michael Pritchard FRPS, Director-General of The Royal Photographic Society, said: "It is well known that art and photography can help raise an individual’s confidence and sense of worth, which can be as important as more tangible benefits.

"This competition will contribute to that as well as raising awareness of the problem of homelessness."

Last year's calendar sold out after selling in Spitalfields Market, St James's Piccadilly and Camden Lock Market, giving homeless people work experience and an income. It earned almost £30,000, which was split between the photographers, calendar vendors and art groups.

This year the print-run will be doubled and more markets will be hosting a table to sell the calendar.

The homeless photographers come from more than 12 London homelessness organisations including Crisis, St Mungo's Broadway, 240 Project, The Connection at St Martins-in-the-fields and Providence Row.

Image credit: Maya Simeon/Cafe Art