History, nudity and innovation at London’s largest photography event | CNN

Anton Corbijn, David Bowie, London,1993, CAMERA WORK

Director and co-founder of Photo London Michael Benson chooses ten stand out images from the fair, which highlight key issues and trends in the photography industry.

"The great thing about photographs is they almost need no words. I chose this Anton Corbijn image because I think it's just stunning, and of course it's Bowie. I was very sad, as we all were, to see the death of Bowie earlier this year."

Steve McCurry / Peter Fetterman

"These extraordinary images of India are presented in a beautiful book by the artist in association with Peter Fassman gallery."

Hans Breder / Danziger Gallery

"Hans Breder is much better known as a sculptor. These photos have sat around in a studio and the gallery is exposing them for the first time. They've had a very big response to them. I'm fascinated by the sculptural quality and also by the fact that they have laid around for so long without anyone noticing them."

Don McCullin / Courtesy Hamilton's Gallery

"Don McCullin will receive our Master of Photography award this year. Last year it was given to Sebastio Salgado, and we're delighted that McCullin has agreed to follow because he's a legendary photographer. This is one of my favorite images of his. There will be a special exhibition of his work at the fair, which is a really unique moment to view his work."

Stephen Gill

"These images are interesting because of this whole question of editioning in photography. He's made them in an edition of one with an artist proof, but also with the color negative contained inside a silicone block. So this energy field is a really interesting play on the whole notion of how photography is made and how it's editioned."

Leyla Cardenas

"A young photographer who is looking at the way in which cities decay. I think there's an eerie quality to these architectural canvases. She is a really interesting young woman working with found architectural objects, which I find fascinating."

Wolfgang Tillmans

"This is completely different. How much more contemporary can you get than to make a series of works based on the posters that he's made for the anti Brexit campaign? We've installed these as a 9 meter wide, 3 meter high piece, and we're extremely happy to be able to give Wolfgang the platform to make a political point that basically everybody should get involved and vote in the referendum."

Bernard Quaritch Ltd

"The image from Quaritch is fascinating. There are a number of artists in this year's fair who have taken London as their theme; a number of galleries who I wouldn't say have concentrated entirely on London, but have made a great play about London. This image by an anonymous photographer, which dates back to almost 1840 -- so very early in the life of photography -- is a stunningly beautiful portrait of Trafalgar Square. It's also beautifully presented."

"The Todd Pappageorge installation is a huge grid made by Thomas Zander. I wasn't expecting it, but I was just blown away. I really applaud the gallery for making this presentation."

Alexander Bassano / Hans Krauss

"Hans Krauss is almost certainly one of the finest 19th century photography dealers in the world. He's at the fair for the first time this year and we're delighted that he's brought some rare photographs of the Lidell sisters."

Story highlights

Founded in 2015, Photo London brings together 80 of the world's leading galleries

Director and co-founded Michael Benson chooses the most important images from this year's program

CNN —

“I think photography really is the art form for the 21st century.”

Michael Benson is the director and co-founder of Photo London, the capital’s major international photography fair which was launched for the first time last year.

Patrick Demarchelier

Christy with Mouse by Patrick Demarchelier

Ellen von Unwerth

David Bowie and Kate Moss by Ellen von Unwerth

Roe Ethridge

Pamela by Roe Ethridge

Anja Niemi

Darlene (1) 2015 by Anja Niemi

Carmen Mitrotta

Call to Faith by Carmen Mitrotta

Erwin Blumenfeld

Jean Patchett by Erwin Blumenfeld

The 2016 edition of the fair – which opened on May 19 – has expanded, with 80 of the world’s leading galleries and over 480 artists brought together under one roof at Somerset House. With almost every possible space taken over – from the cavernous Embankment galleries to new, purpose-built spaces in the courtyard – there’s a lot to take in.

It’s a comprehensive introduction to the world of photography, from leading talents like Nadav Kander, Turner Prize-nominated Craigie Horsfield, and Don McCullin (who will receive this year’s Master of Photography award) to young artists like Anja Niemi and Walter & Zoniel.

This year’s fair also highlights trends in the photography world at large: a return to older forms of photography, especially by the younger generation, and, according to Benson “the seriousness with which people are taking fashion photography.”

Why photography matters now

The fair is arguably proof of how much the popularity of photography has risen, not just in public perception but more importantly within the art market.

“It’s interesting because London was the place where the word ‘photography’ was coined, so we have a very rich and noble tradition in the field,” Benson says. “I think we’ve slightly taken our eye off the ball, so somewhere like New York is probably the great world capital of photography. Our ambition with Photo London is to raise photography up to that level. And that’s going to take a few years.”

Benson feels social media has influenced the public’s perception of and interaction with photography.

“Technology has given everyone the license to try to make really great photographs. I think most of us, myself included, fail, but it doesn’t stop us trying.”

Photo London is on at Somerset House in London from 19 to 22 May, 2016