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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.

The 2023 Research Day in conjunction with Sheffield Hallam University will be held on Saturday 20 May. Details here 

The Hurter & Driffield Memorial Lecture takes place on Saturday 2nd September 2023 in Manchester. Details here

For details of 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