Viewing Photo London brings more than 400 artists to Somerset House for its ninth edition

Photo London returns to Somerset House this week (running until Sunday) with 120 exhibitors from around the world all in one place. The ninth edition of the photography fair offers a birds eye view of what’s happening in the medium now, showcasing rare historic works (see special presentations of French calotypes and early British photographs from the 19th century) to brand new and never-seen-before works and exploration of AI by emerging contemporary in the fair’s dedicated Discovery section.

Among The Wick’s highlights at this 2024 edition of the fair are photographs by major, established artists from throughout the last century – see beautiful pieces by Julia Magaret Cameron, Helen Levitt and Nan Goldin, as well as Lee Miller, David Bailey and Martin Parr. There’s also a regional focus on Turkey this year, with eight galleries from the country participating: don’t miss silver gelatin prints from the 1950s by Turkish artist Yıldız Moran, courtesy of Galeri Nev Ankara.

Photo London has come to reflect the diversity, playfulness and innovation of the London scene, not only in the booth presentations but also in the talks programme too – The Wick’s picks are Joy Gregory, who will introduce Black women photographers active in the 1980s and 1990s; a talk by artist Alia Ali, and an exploration of the African Gaze through photography and cinema. All talks are now included with a ticket to the fair. One of many reasons to visit Somerset House this week, and be amazed at the scope of this vernacular medium.