Photo shops in London

[Erik Hartmann]

I am going to London next week (first time in 15 years)...
So I do not know much about where to find a god shop for second hand FL-gear.....
AND galleries: Where there are exhibitions of Photography (pictures)....I found a lot on google, but where to go ????

Thanks.......

[Steve Smith]

Aperture near the British Museum is worth a visit: http://www.apertureuk.com/

It's a used camera store and café in one.


Steve.

[ooze]

I think The Photographers Gallery is a must see.
http://www.photonet.org.uk/index.php?pid=18

[Gary Holliday]

I actually hate the Photographer's gallery...load of artists who happen to use a camera.

Try the V&A
http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/photography/index.html

or if you pick up a copy of the current UK Black & White photography magazine when you are over, it gives a listing of the all the current exhibitions.

For supplies call into Silverprint:
http://www.silverprint.co.uk/

Apugger Ian Leake has a few of his PT/Pd prints on display at present.

[Bob F.]

Many shops such as Silverprint, Teamwork and Process Supplies are closed on Saturdays so be careful there if you are looking to top-up your film supplies etc. I'd second Aperture as the only (?) good used photo store in central London and, as said, has the added bonus of being a café and 100 yards from the BM. There used to be a couple of others nearby but they have long since gone :( ...

The Photographer's Gallery also has a bookshop and café and is currently showing the Deutsche Börse Prize entries (be aware it is in two separate buildings with their own entrances). The V&A, as said, should also be on your must-see list - and the V&A also has a café (you may detect a common thread here ;) ).

A couple of days before you pop over, type "Photography" in to the search engine at Time Out (http://www.timeout.com/london/) - or indeed, type anything else that may interest you to find something you might want to photograph...

Have fun, Bob.

[Justin Cormack]

Note that at the V&A you can request to see any of the photographs in the Print Study Room; there are usually only 40 or so photos on display in the gallery but this gives you a chance to see anything you would like.

http://www.vam.ac.uk/resources/print_study_reading/index.html#print

Catalogue search is at
http://images.vam.ac.uk/indexplus/page/Home.html

It is a pretty comprehensive collection.

[pentaxuser]

All depends on the time you have available but if you manage to do all of the above and still have time and you were in the vicinity of Trafalgar Square you might want to go to the National Portrait Gallery, if you enjoy portraiture.

pentaxuser

[rob champagne]

The British Journal of photography always has a country wide list of "on show"

http://www.bjphoto.co.uk/public/showPage.html?page=bjp_onshow#anchor_london

The national portrait gallery may be of interest if you are into portraiture.

[Ian Grant]

Another supporter of the Photographers Gallery, well said ooze & BobF :D

Lots of great art, but also visit the Print room there, again you can request to see the work of many of the UK's leading photographers who they represent, the tea and cakes are amonst the best in London in their Cafe.

Ian

[ooze]

Note that at the V&A you can request to see any of the photographs in the Print Study Room; there are usually only 40 or so photos on display in the gallery but this gives you a chance to see anything you would like.


Please, don't remind me of this! I had always wanted to pop into the print study room when I was living in London, but never came around to do it:( Somehow I found it incredible they would really take out Brandt or Strand prints from their vaults so that anyone can just look at them.

Has someone here done this? How does it work? I guess they don't just hand a print over to you:confused:

[markbb]

FL? do you mean LF? If so, go to Mr Cad ( http://www.mrcad.co.uk/shop/home.php ), it's out of the centre but you'd be able to set up a full LF darkroom, from enlarger to sinks via print washers etc. Might be a bit tricky getting it back home though.

[SeamusARyan]

Hi Erik and everyone else

being represented by the photographers gallery I feel I have to say something but then thought better of it, life's too short etc etc. All I would say is that sometimes there is a validity to what Gary has said but as others have mentioned the Print Sales is a great resource with very helpful staff (if not in the middle of changing over a show) so check it out.

regards the V&A print room, I love it and wonder at how much longer it will be made available to the great unwashed, i.e. you and me. Can you begin to imagine the excitement when you go in and fill in a request slip with the reference number for Pepper #30 and the bring you a portfolio box full of Westons. Pure bliss. But then go further, think of someone you love but who isn't up there with the gods in terms of recognition, see if they have anything by that person and request it, you will be presented with a box of unknown delights....... ENJOY

be aware that it has strange opening days and times so check carefully to avoid dissappointment, if memory serves, you have to pass a Frank Lloyd Wright room to get to the print room, leave yourself a few minutes to check this out also, heavenly......

[Les McLean]

Please, don't remind me of this! I had always wanted to pop into the print study room when I was living in London, but never came around to do it:( Somehow I found it incredible they would really take out Brandt or Strand prints from their vaults so that anyone can just look at them.

Has someone here done this? How does it work? I guess they don't just hand a print over to you:confused:

IMO the Print Room at the V&A is a must for any photographer visiting London. The print room is on the 5th floor and all you have to do is go there and look through the index of prints they have and place a request for them and they will be brought to you by a member of staff. You asked that should you wish to make notes please do so using a pencil and not a pen and make sure that your hands are clean. I usually spend the whole day there but you have to leave at lunch time to allow the staff time to have their break.

The collection is one of the best I've seen and they are all available to the public although sometimes prints are on loan to travelling exhibitions etc.
gennerally you will be given a full portfolio box of the work of your chosen photographer. Should you happen to go might I suggest that you have a look at Paul Caponigro's Stonehenge Portfolio which are in my opinion the most beautiful black and white prints I've ever seen. Even if you don't like the content the quality of the prints is breathtaking.

Enjoy your day.

[ooze]

On my next trip to London I shall pack a pair of white cotton gloves and reserve plenty of time for the Print Room! I have made a note of Caponigro, Les; thanks for the tip.

[Mike Crawford]

Fully agree with the above regarding the V&A Print Room. Wonderful resource and an amazing collection and as Les says, there is nothing like holding (mounted) prints. The curators are very accessible too. Also in the V&A is the National Art Library which has a very large and impressive collection of photography books and journals, both historical and contemporary, I think starting with the Pencil of Nature. Details and on line catalouge on http://www.vam.ac.uk/nal/
I find that a great way to learn about a photographer is to get out all their books and look at them chronologically, though with someone like Martin Parr, this could take some time. Again, this is open to anyone though you have to have a reader's pass which can be applied for with proof of identity. However, a day pass can be obtained by turning up and asking for one. It's also a beautiful series of Victorian library rooms with a view to the courtyard. London is blessed with many photographic archives, most accessible to the public, in various museums and libraries.

Certainly anyone visiting London with an interest in photography should visit the Photographer's Gallery and make their own mind up. The current Deutsch Börse prize is the best one yet in my opinion, and though my favourite(s) didn't win, all the artists exhibited are of interest. Just a thought, but if the original poster is in London on the first thursday of the month, have a look at http://www.firstthursdays.co.uk/ There are a large number of galleries showing contemporary work in East London and many open late on (you guessed it), the first Thursday of the month. The website lists which are photographic, though it always interesting to see other non photographic work, have a wander from gallery to gallery having the odd jar or two on the way.

Have fun
Mike

[Black Dog]

Second les's suggestion about 'Stonehenge'-amazing!