The Swiss Camera Museum is presenting a comprehensive exhibition titled "Flash! A brief history of artificial lighting for photography," which will remain on display until February 22, 2026. The exhibition examines how flash photography has fundamentally changed both the creation of images and our perception of the world around us.
The exhibition features numerous significant works spanning from the early experimental days of photography to contemporary art. Key pieces include Félix Nadar's pioneering flash experiments from the 19th century, iconic photographs by American photographer Weegee, and contemporary work by British photographer Martin Parr. Through these diverse examples, the exhibition explores in a unique way the significant visual transformations that flash photography has produced throughout history.
Flash and artificial lighting have historically played a crucial role in illuminating subjects that were previously invisible or inadequately lit, enabling photographers to construct entirely new visual worlds that were previously unknown. The exhibition demonstrates how flash photography has been instrumental in documenting various aspects of human experience, from the underground catacombs of 19th-century Paris to the nocturnal crime scenes of New York City, and from paparazzi capturing movie stars to countless other scenarios where flash played a central role.
The technical evolution of flash photography is also highlighted in the exhibition, tracing the development from the first experimental magnesium flashes to modern electronic flash systems. These successive technical innovations have enabled photographers to create new forms of representation and have opened up different ways of experiencing and documenting reality.
The exhibition has been developed in collaboration with Photographica magazine, whose 11th issue is specifically dedicated to the theme "Aveugler pour voir : flashs et revelations" (Blinded to see: flashes and revelations). Visitors can experience this comprehensive exploration of flash photography at the Swiss Camera Museum, located at Grande Place 99 in Vevey, Switzerland, with additional information available at their website www.cameramuseum.ch.
