Organised by the Royal Photographic Society (RPS) with support from the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), Light Works is a new exhibition celebrating the International Year of Light. Curated by RPS Fellow Gary Evans, Light Works is a virtual journey through the electromagnetic spectrum from gamma rays to radio waves.  It uses 50 images to explore ways of looking into our own bodies and the world around us. The exhibition is on public display until 6 February in the Burlington House Courtyard of the Royal Academy, before starting its tour to Belfast, Edinburgh and other UK cities.

Royal Photographic Society Press Release

London Photography Exhibition ‘Light Works’ Launches International Year of Light 2015

27 January 2015 – Images that define what we can see at the largest and smallest scales, including some that are normally invisible to the human eye, are just part of a new exhibition that opens in London this week before going on a national tour. The exhibition aims to open our eyes to the breadth of incredible images taken from the world around us.

Organised by the Royal Photographic Society (RPS) with support from the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), Light Works is a new exhibition celebrating the International Year of Light 2015.  www.rps.org/IYL2015

Curated by RPS Fellow Gary Evans, Light Works is a virtual journey through the electromagnetic spectrum from gamma rays to radio waves.  It uses 50 images to explore ways of looking into our own bodies and the world around us.  The stunning images will offer something to everyone, regardless of their age or level of knowledge.

Gary Evans said: “With images so ubiquitous in the world today it was clear that the Royal Photographic Society needed to do something special to celebrate the International Year of Light. A ‘walk through the electromagnetic spectrum’ was the way to go, the hard part was settling on 50 images that not only have a rich visual impact, but also a story to tell.”

Dr Andrew Taylor, Director of STFC’s National Laboratories, said, “At STFC we use light every day in many different ways. For instance, we use intense beams of light to develop new methods of diagnosing medical conditions, to investigate new materials for energy production and storage, and to see into the depths of space.  We are very pleased to be able to help bring this exhibition of photographs to people in the UK for the start of this International Year of Light.”

The many contributors of images have been generous in their support and collaboration to make the exhibition possible.

Dr Michael Pritchard, Director General of the RPS, commented: “Photography has played an important role in documenting the visible and invisible world since the 1840s. Modern imaging techniques using visible and invisible light – as Light Works shows - can provide us with a view into the infinitesimal small and the gigantic. More than this they provide us with beautiful images that inspire and excite us”

Professor Martin Barstow, President of the Royal Astronomical Society, said, “It is wonderful to see such incredible images from astronomy being presented in this way to the public. However, what was enlightening about this exhibition was experiencing the beauty and power of the images taken at the opposite scale to astronomical images or taken within different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. These images offer everyone a way to see the world around us in a completely fresh light.”

The exhibition is on public display until 6 February in the Burlington House Courtyard of the Royal Academy, before starting its tour to Belfast, Edinburgh and other UK cities.

Image © European Southern Observatory/VISTA and the Cambridge Astronomical Survey Unit - See more at: http://www.rps.org/exhibitions-and-competitions/current-exhibitions/rps-light-works-exhibition/35#sthash.ShBATxi3.dpuf

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