PHOTOGRAPHY EVENTS YOU SHOULD ATTEND IN 2018
The photographic calendar is one that you could argue is never ending. Each year companies, exhibitors and photography enthusiasts will engage in events, festivals and demonstrations all over the country to showcase the diverse range and technologies of modern day photography. From film to digital, gadget to archaic or fine art to commercial, there's no denying photography its rightful place in the contemporary world.
With such a concentrated market, how do you know where to start? We've listed some of the most interesting, diverse and best photographic events here, to give you a bit of a head start.
PARIS PHOTO
8-11th November, 2018
Paris Photo is probably one of the World’s biggest and most acclaimed photography festivals. Based at the Grand Palais in central Paris every year, photographers and artists flock to this event in their thousands.
This festival is all about keeping photography alive and very much leans towards the medium as a prevalent contemporary art form. Film and digital technologies sit side by side in a vast arena of talks, exhibitions and book signings. Whether a complete newcomer to photography, or simply an appreciator of art and all things image-based, there's something for you at Paris photo.
Bear in Mind: You won't be getting demonstrations of the latest technologies here. This is more about the completed product - the image as an art form and photography as a mediator of longer based projects by those exhibiting.
BRIGHTON PHOTO BIENNIAL
1-30th October, 2018
Brighton plays host to its yearly Photography Biennial over the entire course of October 2018. This is essentially a month long exhibition showcasing the best of up and coming talent. Previous Biennials have been curated by the likes of Martin Parr and Julian Stallabrass and the Beinnial is going from strength to strength. This is perhaps one of the lesser known events in the photography calendar but it's certainly worth a visit if you find yourself in Brighton this October.
PHOTO LONDON
17-20th May 2018
Similar to Paris Photo and a little closer to home, is Photo London. The festival is now in its fourth year and runs from the 17th May in the ground of the stunning Somerset House. By its own admission:
'Photo London is a place to encounter the most innovative emerging artists, new work by established masters and rare vintage pieces, and as such is guided by a Curatorial Committee comprised of some the field’s most esteemed curators, critics and museum directors.''
If its exhibitions and leading names in the photography world you want, then here you will get it. Along with talks, discussions and installations from renowned critics, writers and directors from around the world.
THE PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW
Birmingham NEC
If you're all about digital photography, videography, drone photography or the very latest and the very best, then The Photography Show is certainly an event for you. The show takes place at the Birmingham NEC every year in March. You're a little late this year, but if you're a digital photography enthusiast, or simply looking to keep your finger on the pulse of an every changing market, keep an eye out for the announcements on next year’s show.
Here you'll find a frankly vast range of exhibitors giving demonstrations on the latest and coolest technologies. This is the place to be if you're a commercial photographer looking to see what your competition really is.
Contrary to popular belief, there aren't too many of these events around in Britain so this really is the only opportunity for you to get to grips with photography as a technology and not an art form or exhibition.
If it's Panasonic's new Lumix range you're keeping an eye on or the latest from Nikon and Canon's biggest players, it will all be here.
DEUTSCHE BÖRSE PHOTOGRAPHY FOUNDATION PRIZE 2018
23 February - 3rd June 2018
This is a yearly prize handed out to internationally prevalent photographers, the nominees of which are exhibited at The Photographers Gallery, London, this year from February to June 2018, with the prize and winner being awarded in May.
The prize is one of the biggest in its class and sheds light on artists and photographers creating work with strong social, political and ethical themes through the medium. If you're creating works for gallery walls, this is an exhibition you should be visiting every year. Make sure it's in your diary.
