The V&A -short for Victoria & Albert Museum- began acquiring photographs in 1852. Its collection is now is one of the largest and most important in the world. It holds over 500,000 images by both classic and contemporary photographers and illustrates a wide range of processes, techniques and subject matter. The Photography Gallery focuses on the history of photography, with an annual display of around 40 outstanding photographs from the V&A's collection.

The museum has an excellent bookshop, where you can buy all titles published by the museum and more.

Direct your questions about the collection to dr Mark Haworth-Booth, curator: pdp@vam.ac.uk (collections: paintings, photographs & prints), Telephone +44 (0)2079422563. Mark Jones is the museum's director.