Spoonfed select our favourite London Photography Galleries.
London loves photography. It's official. Photography is cool, fun, accessible, and thankfully there's enough of the stuff right on our doorstep to satisfy everyone's photographic penchants. What with the brigade of polaroid-brandishing art students pacing the pavements in search inspiration, street photographers lurking behind their lenses trying to dodge the Data Protection Act, and a whole host of internationally acclaimed photographers getting snap-happy in the capital, photography is everywhere in London. Here are the best photography galleries in London, in our humble opinion:
The Photographers' Gallery
First up, the Photographer's Gallery: as the name states, a gallery for photographers - seems like a good place to start. Situated slap bang in the middle of town, just off Oxford Street, the Photographers' Gallery was in fact the first independent art space in the country to dedicate itself specifically to photography. Incidentally it is also the largest photography gallery in London and the best place to catch a glimpse of some of the best contemporary photography around, listen to talks by the professionals and leisurely wind away an afternoon thumbing the glossy hardbacks and coffee-table bibles in the excellent bookshop.
Michael Hoppen Gallery
Those who fancy a browse in suitably stylish surrounds, head to South Kensington's Michael Hoppen Gallery. A bit of a trendsetter on the photography scene, Michael Hoppen puts its best foot forward and the droves of art dealers and collectors invariably follow suit. Beautiful, evocative exhibitions by an impressive list of photographers grace the walls of this light, airy space.
Photofusion
Photofusion is a gallery for all those budding photographers and the photographically minded out there keen to give it a go. Aside from the cutting-edge, visually arresting shows on display, the darkrooms, digital print facilities, and range of classes mean you'll soon be shooting, printing and mounting photographs like a pro.
Host Gallery
Photojournalism and documentary photography reign supreme at the Honduras Street Gallery, and compelling politically, socially and culturally switched on images provide as much of an educational fix as an aesthetic one. With EI8HT magazine, foto8.com and Panos pictures for neighbours, who between them work with over 100 photographers across the globe, you're guaranteed to be in good hands.
Atlas Gallery
If the golden oldies are more your thing, fine art space Atlas Gallery specialises in vintage, 19th and experimental 20th century pieces, flanked by a smattering of contemporary photography, fashion and photojournalism. The collections amass the work of some of the great, defining names in the genre.
The National Portrait Gallery
After fleeing from the pigeons and tourist swarms – Trafalgar Square's permanent residents – take refuge in the marvellous National Portrait Gallery, admire the gallery's impeccable taste and ogle at the impressive collection of portraits of some very famous faces. The gallery also hosts the annual BP Award for new portraits and the prestigious NPG Photography Portrait Prize, so for everything from celebrity fashion photography to classic portraiture this is the place to come.
Diemar/Noble Photography
Up and coming London photo space, Diemar/Noble exhibits a broad range of eclectic, engaged and intelligent work by emerging talent and other established names. The gallery is also home to an educational department which supports students with their portfolio work and sets up courses in photography and collecting.
Hamiltons Gallery
Hamiltons Gallery stands at the forefront of London photography galleries and the quality of work exhibited here across the whole photography canon is of a consistently high standard. Founded in 1977, the gallery is still going strong and continues to specialise in mid and late 20th century masters such as Irving Penn and Richard Avedon and established contemporary names including Guido Mocafico and Erwin Olaf among others.
Hoopers
The spacious, relaxed, and minimalist Hoopers Gallery searches out and promotes fresh talent amid some big deal names. The gallery represents the achievement of a life long ambition of owner Roger Hooper, himself an established wildlife photographer. Ambitious contemporary prints and innovative work by represented artists fills the substantial 1000 sq ft white space.
Click here to see all London photography exhibitions.
Click here to see all London exhibitions.
Click here for things to do in London.
Return to Spoonfed's London Art homepage.
Add an event
Review: The Company You Keep
Robert Redford, an iconic face of Western cinema whose influence for decades has weighe...