This online exhibition presents an introduction to the Society’s collection of over 500,000 historic images, featuring works by Gertrude Bell, Frank Hurley, Carleton Watkins, Isabella Bird, Sarat Chandra Das and Eric Newby. From an early original daguerreotype of Arctic explorer Joseph René Bellot to a remarkable aerial image of 1960s Abu Dhabi and iconic photographic ‘firsts’, the exhibition spans over a century of documentary photography, with contemporary relevance for research and enquiry. 

 

View the exhibition

Tip: For the best experience, we recommend viewing the content below in full screen mode - press F11 on Windows (press F11 to exit) or Ctr+Cmd+F on OS X (Apple) to enter full screen mode.

Lights and Shadows

Having trouble viewing this online exhibition?

Try static view

 

Explore the exhibition on a map

Please note that approximate locations have been used to indicate where the photographs were taken as the images are not geo-referenced.

 

 

RGS Print Store

All images featured in this online exhibition can be purchased from the RGS Print Store.

You may also be interested in...

Lost lands

An international team of geographers and a Cambodia-based photojournalist have documented the nature and scale of sand mining in the Mekong River and Tonle Sap lake systems to help give a voice to some of the individuals impacted by it, shining a light on the hidden stories behind the global headlines of sand mining.

What the traveller saw: the photographs of Eric Newby

An online exhibition displaying a selection of stunning photographs from Eric Newby’s travels.

Shackleton’s legacy and the power of early Antarctic photography

Marking the centenary of Shackleton's death, the exhibition explores the role of photography and literature throughout Shackleton’s career, and the influences and motivations behind Shackleton's fascination with Antarctica.

Observed on paper

Explore a selection of drawings and watercolours from our Collections, illustrating people and landscapes, many produced decades before the camera became part of the standard expedition kit.

Cookies on the RGS website This site uses cookies to enhance your user experience.