Photography plays a vital part in our understanding of the world. We are proud to be home to an unrivalled collection of 19th century and early 20th century photography – as well as the first ever negative.
The ever-changing cultural and technical landscape has ensured that photography continues to fascinate and challenge us. Through our photography collections, permanent galleries, changing exhibitions and events, we reflect and explore photography's multiple roles, its history and its continuing impact on society.
When you visit the National Media Museum you can visit The Kodak Gallery which takes you on a journey through the history of popular photography, from the world's first photographs to today's digital snapshots. Materials on display in this gallery are taken from the 35,000 objects and images collected by Kodak Ltd and donated to the museum in the 1980s. We also have a varied programme of changing exhibitions, and we always have at least one photography exhibition. We regularly show photographs from our collections, often alongside contemporary works.
Visit the exhibitions pages to see what we have on display today.
Photography Collection
Photography Collection
Explore an online selection of the Museum's extensive Photography Collection.
Niepce in England
Niépce in England Conference
An international conference on recent
advancements relating to the
photographs which Joseph Nicéphore Niépce brought to England in 1827, will take place October 13-14 2010.
Photography Awards 2010
2010 Photography Awards
We are now open for applications for the 2010 Photography Awards, which forms part of our ongoing commitment to contemporary photography.
Buy prints online
Buy Prints Online
Choose from a growing selection of inspiring, historic and stunning photographs – and have your own high quality print delivered to your door.
Exhibitions
Simon Roberts: We English
Simon Roberts travelled the length and breadth of England, documenting the English at leisure in its richly varied landscape.
Inspired?
Enter the We English Competition.
Open to all.
Exhibitions
Robbie Cooper: Immersion
The work Robbie Cooper explores the issues surrounding the increasing amount of exposure to contemporary media.
The Commons
The Commons on Flickr
We're celebrating a year of adding images from our collections to Flickr as part of The Commons project.
Reminiscence Sessions
Twice a month we provide photos from the Daily Herald archive, followed by a short programme from TV Heaven collection to inspire your recollections of a particular aspect of life. Come along to these friendly sessions and meet new friends.