Viewing Photo London

If you’ve spotted the big, white tent at Somerset House, you’ll know that Photo London is back. More than 80 leading galleries have come together for the fair’s long-awaited sixth edition, the first physical photography fair anywhere in the world for over a year. Photo London Digital also returns, running online until 28 September 2021.

The span of the fair is dizzying. Outstanding historic photography comes courtesy of Roland Belgrave, Augusta Edwards Fine Arts and Stewart & Skeels, while portraiture can be found at the stand of MMX Gallery and Webber Gallery. As for high-fashion glossy photography, look to Imitate Modern and Albion Barn, a new exhibitor presenting a solo booth of new and recent work by Nick Knight. Other notable first-timers include Paul Stolper Gallery, London-based Parafin and Richard Saltoun Gallery, showing a booth dedicated to women photographers, among them Marina Abramovic, Renate Bertlmann and Helen Chadwick.

Photo London’s Discovery section spotlights younger galleries and fresh talent. Make a beeline for Black Box Projects, which brings together the work of contemporary artists using historic photographic techniques; and Tintera, whose booth includes the work of Ibrahim Ahmed, finalist of the 2020 Emerging Photographer of the Year Award.

It’s worth scoping out the public programme of events too. Highlights include Shirin Neshat’s Land of Dreams showing in the Master of Photography exhibition and Robert Capa, Close Enough, a touring exhibition of work by the 20th-century war photographer best known for his stirring images of tragedy, death and conflict. If you fancy honing your own skills, attend one of the fair’s panel discussions or Nikon’s professional photography workshops.