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The Photographers' Gallery at 16-18 Ramillies Street 2012 (c) Kate Elliot.

The Photographers’ Gallery at 16-18 Ramillies Street 2012 (c) Kate Elliot.

Located at the northern end of Soho, between Carnaby Street and Oxford Street is the wonderful Photographers’ Gallery.  Considered Britain’s leading centre for contemporary photography, the gallery reopened at this location in May 2012.  Previously the gallery was located on Great Newport Street where it was founded in the early 1970s.  Today the new gallery - housed in an early 20th century warehouse - benefits from the work of architects O’Donnell and Tuomey who transformed the space into a modern multi-level gallery perfectly suited to its mission of bringing contemporary photography to the public.

Print Sales (basement floor), 2012 (c) Dennis Gilbert

Print Sales (basement floor), 2012 (c) Dennis Gilbert

To cement its position of authority in the world of photographer, Photographers’ Gallery awards the annual Deutsche Borse Prize considered the medium’s equivalent to the Turner.  The entrants are usually exhibited in the spring.

Bookshop (basement floor), 2012 (c) Dennis Gilbert

Bookshop (basement floor), 2012 (c) Dennis Gilbert

The Gallery:  There are three floors of gallery space, as well as a cafe, bookshop, educational space and an area selling prints.  There is also a small outside space for periodic displays.  Within this largest public gallery in London dedicated to photography visitors can expect to see the work of new artists as well as those already established in the medium.  Over the years the gallery has been the first to exhibit in England artists including Robert Capa, Sebastiao Salgado and Juergen Teller.

Ground Floor, 2012 (c) Dennis Gilbert

Ground Floor, 2012 (c) Dennis Gilbert

Events & Exhibitions:  At any given time there are generally multiple exhibitions occurring.  It appears that most exhibitions last up to 2 months.  For current exhibitions see their website at:  http://thephotographersgallery.org.uk 

In addition, there are various events including artist talks, guided tours, and workshops.  The workshops may range from topics such as collecting photography, to using your own camera, to history of photography and to guidance on critiquing the work.  The full calendar and schedule is on their website.

Visiting & Cafe:  Opening hours are daily: 10-6 except Thu: 10-8 and Sun: 11.30-6.  Admission is free.  There is a café on the ground floor, opening at 9:30 on weekdays (otherwise following gallery hours).  It has a changing menu of fresh pasta, sandwiches, salads, soups and cakes from Soho’s Lina Stores.

The Photographers' Gallery at 16-18 Ramillies Street 2012 (c) Dennis Gilbert

The Photographers’ Gallery at 16-18 Ramillies Street 2012 (c) Dennis Gilbert

Located at:  16 - 18 Ramillies Street, W1F 7LW

Closest Tube:  Oxford Circus

Note: All photographs courtesy of The Photographers’ Gallery.