The show focuses on key moments in photographic history, starting with early pioneers who set the tone for portraiture and street photographers to come, such as Henri Cartier-Bresson, Dorothea Lange, Edward Steichen and Brassai. It also includes the photographers who played with the medium and turned it in on itself such as Man Ray and Robert Mapplethorpe. There will also be previously unseen self-portraits by Vivian Maier – the nanny-come-street photography who’s fascinating work was discovered in 2007 in locked storage containers and became the story of a critically acclaimed documentary recently released on DVD.  There will also be works by fashion photographers such as Horst P Horst and Cecil Beaton.

Vivian Maier, New York, 10 April, 1955. © the artist, courtesy of Beetles+Huxley and Osborne Samuel

And if that isn’t enough, there will also be works by landscape photographers and travel photographers such as pioneer Herbert Ponting and Frank Hurley who was part of the Shackleton Expedition to Antarctica.

The exhibition consists of over 150 works – which isn’t that many considering the amount of time it is covering – nevertheless, the works on show come from the masters of medium and as a result, make for great viewing. (Words: Laura Thornley)

From 20th November to 23 December. For more info visit: www.osbornesamuel.com/programme/the-photographers-2014

(Banner photo credit: Bruce Davidson, Marilyn Monroe with Cameraman on set of The Misfits, 1960. © the artist, courtesy of Beetles+Huxley and Osborne Samuel)

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The Miracle of Dolphin-Surfing, 2002, Joan Fontcuberta. © Joan Fontcuberta

Having grown up during the Franco fascist rule in Spain, Fontcuberta believes much of his inspiration comes from a suspicion of authority. The evidential qualities of photography and its use to support our understanding of reality, plays a major part in his work. Working along a range of narratives, his images aim to disrupt these authoritative stories, usually drawing on recognisable, powerful voices from our society. Science, nature and even Google all appear.

The artist has been working in this field for many years but this exhibition represents his first in the UK. He has exhibited across the globe and extensively in the US. He founded the magazine Photovision in 1980, and still remains the magazine’s editor-in-chief. He has worked as a curator and teacher in the field since the late 70s, and has won countless awards, including the Hasselblad Foundation International Award in Photography in 2013. This exhibition represents a unique opportunity to witness a master of his medium. (Words: Laura Thornley)

From 23 July – 9 November. For more info visit: www.sciencemuseum.org.uk

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