The Royal Photographic Society’s Historical Group was formed on 22 March 1972 at a time when photography in Britain was undergoing a significant transition. The RPS, itself, was in a process of modernisation as it sought to remain relevant to British photography. The way photography was taught in higher education reflected a move away from the technical to a focus on approach and the content of the picture. New galleries showing photography were established, national museums and galleries began to take photography seriously and the Arts Council appointed its first photography officer.
The period also saw major upheavals for the industry and the profession with recessions, a move to digital, and new ways for commissioners to source content. The way photography was experienced, shared and disseminated changed dramatically later in the period with the advent of new digital technologies.
This conference will examine some of these changes through a series of papers that look at British photography and photographers over the fifty years from 1972-2022.
British Photography since 1972: a conference
Organised by the RPS Historical Group to commemorative its 50th anniversary
1-2 July 2022
Bristol and online
Programme and booking: https://rps.org/1972conf
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