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The Camera Exposed
Every photograph in this display featured at least one camera. From formal portraits to casual snapshots, still-lifes to collages, they appear as reflections or shadows, and sometimes as objects in their own right.
Every photograph in this display featured at least one camera. From formal portraits to casual snapshots, still-lifes to collages, they appear as reflections or shadows, and sometimes as objects in their own right.
In the age of the mobile phone, the camera as a stand-alone device is disappearing from sight. This display focused on the instrument itself with 120 photographs spanning the 19th century to the present day.
This display is now closed at
Display highlights
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'Shopfront, Quai Bourbon, Paris, France', Eugène Atget, about 1900, France. Museum no. PH.2208-1903. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
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'Rita Hayworth', Phillippe Halsman, Museum no. PROV.9258-2016. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
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'Imogen and Twinka at Yosemite', Judy Dater, Museum no. PROV.9022-2016. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
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'John French and Daphne Abrams in a tailored suit', John French, 1957, England. Museum no. E.227-2011. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
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'Suzy Parker, dress by Nina Ricci, Champs-Elysée, Paris', Richard Avedon, 1962, France. Museum no. E.1255-1993. © Richard Avedon Foundation
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'Weegee the Famous', Richard Sadler, 1963, England. Museum no. E.2879-1995. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
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Vernacular photograph, unknown, 1905-1950. Museum no. LOAN:AMERICANFRIENDS.710:25-2015. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
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'Lily Cole with Giant Camera', Tim Walker, 2004. Museum no. E.1140-2008. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
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'Clementina Maude, 5 Princes Gardens; Photographic Study', Lady Clementina Hawarden, about 1862-1863, England, Museum no. 296-1947. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London