An Uninterrupted Photography Archive Since 1854: RPS at Saatchi Gallery with Its 167th Edition!

Some institutions do not merely organize exhibitions; they carry the history of photography itself. The world-famous International Photography Exhibition by the Royal Photographic Society opens its doors for the 167th time on August 7, 2026. Held at Chelsea’s iconic venue, Saatchi Gallery, and open to visitors free of charge until September 11, 2026, the exhibition brings photography’s gaze upon yesterday, today, and tomorrow to King’s Road with 113 works by 48 artists.

172 Years of Uninterrupted Memory: The World’s Oldest Photography Exhibition

Founded in 1853, the Royal Photographic Society maintains an unbroken 172-year tradition since holding its first exhibition in 1854. However much the photography world has shed its skin—from silver gelatin prints to digital technology, salon photography to street documentary, and conceptual art—this exhibition recorded all these transformations moment by moment. In this respect, RPS exhibitions do not offer a frozen museum archive, but a living and breathing massive visual history.

113 Prints Filtered from 5,200 Submissions and Contemporary Themes

For this year’s 167th edition, more than 5,200 photographers from all over the world submitted their work. Following rigorous jury evaluation, 113 special prints by 48 different artists earned exhibition space. The works in the selection focus on the most burning topics of the 2020s, such as environmental crises, searches for identity, conflict zones, collective memory, family, and local cultures. This year’s top awards were presented to Marcy Palmer and Léa Chen, who stood out with the powerful visual language they produced.

Darkroom Magic in the Digital Age: Alternative Printing Techniques

Another element that renders the exhibition exceptionally interesting for today is that the selection pays homage not only to digital shots, but also to the tactile and chemical history of photography. Alongside digital works, traditional and alternative printing processes—such as cyanotype, silver gelatin, and darkroom layering techniques—occupy a wide place in the exhibition. The survival of these deep-rooted techniques in an age where photography has pixelated offers the viewer a rich visual depth.

A Free Exhibition on King’s Road and a Special Screening

The exhibition takes place at the Saatchi Gallery (Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road, SW3 4RY) on King’s Road, one of London’s culture and art centers. Easily reached via Sloane Square station (District and Circle lines), admission to the exhibition is completely free. Furthermore, as part of World Photography Week, a one-night-only special screening on the evening of Thursday, August 20 (19:00–22:00) at theprintspace in Shoreditch can also be added to your agenda.