The World in London | Epic Photography Exhibition

The much anticipated London 2012 Olympics started with a bang on Friday, July 27, 2012. Since then, many of us have been glued to the TV (or our computers), watching live streams of our favorite sporting events. Some of us have even sacrificed social outings and rearranged our work schedules to catch the Olympic fever at full force.

What many people may not realize is that London, being a very British city (as celebrated in the Opening Ceremony), is also an extremely cosmopolitan city. Just about every nation in the world is represented here in this “ultimate melting pot” of a city. Want to get to know the people of the Olympic host city?

I spent five months living in London as a graduate student. As an amaetuer photographer at the time, I frequented The Photographer’s Gallery off Oxford Street in Central London. If you love photography (anything from digital to film) and happen to be in the city along the Thames this summer, I would highly recommend a visit.

From now until August 30, 2012, the gallery will be showing a series of portraits depicting 204 Londoners, representing 204 different countries, taken by 204 photographers. The show is entitled “The World in London” and seeks to celebrate photography’s unique role in capturing the human form. This outdoor photography project was completed over a span of 3 years; each photo is unique in its own composition, form and style.

For those of us outside of London, you can also view the exhibition online. In addition to viewing the stunning master portraits created by both British and international photographers, it’s also possible to listen to interviews from both the photographer and sitter. Get to know Londoners from all over… from Italy to India, Lethotho to Kiribati… you name it!

Photography is an art form which not only depicts reality but also captures one’s story, if but a matter of seconds. The right lighting, positioning, composition and pose will help frame this story for any individual. This portrait photography project is successful for these reasons and what better place to celebrate the diversity in a world city such as London?

For more information:

An offsite exhibition showing in two locations this July & August:
Victoria Park, London E3: 27 July – 12 August 2012
Park House, 453 – 497 Oxford Street, London, W1: 27 July – 30 August 2012

http://www.thephotographersgallery.org.uk