<P> "Photograph" is a song recorded by the English singer - songwriter, Ed Sheeran, for his second studio album, × (2014). Sheeran wrote the song with Snow Patrol member, Johnny McDaid, who had a piano loop from which the composition developed . After recording several versions with other producers, Sheeran eventually solicited help from Jeff Bhasker; the collaboration generated a version that Bhasker further enhanced for months . The ballad derives its music primarily from an acoustic guitar, piano and programmed drums . With visually descriptive lyrics, it discusses a long - distance relationship inspired by Sheeran's own experience of being away from his then - girlfriend while he was on tour . </P> <P> The song received generally positive commentary from critics, who noted the lyrics and Sheeran's use of imagery . "Photograph" served as the fifth and final single from the album . It reached the top five on the main singles charts in more than five countries . In the US, where it peaked at No. 10, "Photograph" became the third single from the album to have reached within the top ten . In the UK, it reached No. 15 and has since been certified platinum for sales of 600,000 units . The single has also been certified double platinum in Australia and Canada, and platinum in New Zealand and Italy . </P> <P> The single's release on 11 May 2015 followed the premiere of the music video on 9 May 2015 . The video is a montage of real home footage of Sheeran's infancy, childhood and adolescence, providing insight on his private early life such as his inclination to playing music instruments and fondness of Lego . The video was nominated for Best Video at the 2016 Brit Awards . Sheeran performed the song on television shows and on his x Tour, which ran from 2014 to 2015 . </P> <P> On 9 June 2016, it was revealed that Sheeran was being sued by songwriters Martin Harrington and Thomas Leonard, writers of Matt Cardle's 2011 single "Amazing", for $20 million for copyright infringement for note - for - note plagiarism . The lawsuit was privately settled in April 2017, with no admission of guilt . </P>

When was ed sheeran's song photograph released