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A photograph of waves crashing into the shore.
CREDIT: The Royal Photographic Society Collection at the V&A

Historical

Welcome to the Historical Group

The Royal Photographic Society's Historical Group was founded in 1972 to promote knowledge of the history of photography in all its aspects, and to encourage the preservation of photographs, photographic equipment and documents relating to the history of photography. 

The Group acts as a forum for all members and non-members world-wide with an interest in photographic history, from the early-nineteenth century to the present day. We also publish a journal, The PhotoHistorian, three times year.

Our next RPS livestream event is "Discover the Historical Photographs of China project" on Wednesday 14th June 2023 at 1800 (BST). Book tickets 

The bi-annual Hurter & Driffield Memorial Lecture is on Saturday 2nd September 2023 in Manchester. Details here

For details of other forthcoming online and live events/talks Click here

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A photograph of a crowd gathering round a boy looking through a telescope.
CREDIT: The Royal Photographic Society Collection at the V&A
A salted paper print of a row of books in Fox Talbot's library
CREDIT: The Royal Photographic Society Collection at the V&A