The Cape Town Month of Photography Festival

A snapshot of this spring celebration’s photographic exhibitions, gallery showcases and highlights

The 5th Cape Town Month of Photography Festival is a photographic celebration made up of a series of exhibitions set to storm venues throughout the Mother City. The festival features showcases that have already opened in various museums, upmarket restaurants and galleries across Cape Town, and many more are still to come during September, October and early November. Throughout the festival there will also be workshops and masterclasses held by both local experts in the field and by visiting international professional photographers;a photo quiz night during which you can win fantastic prizes is also on the cards.

• For a full programme of Cape Town Month of Photography  Events

In short, whether you’re into colour or black and white film, digital (Nikon or (even) Canon), old-school accordion cameras or plastic lomography cameras (we’re not here to judge), whether you love Photoshop or feel more at home in a chemically saturated darkroom, there’s bound to be something that piques your interest.

Especially, as the South African Centre for Photography has had an overwhelming response to this year’s call for submissions (shocking, seeing as every hipster out there is the next Ansel Adams...); over 160 photographers have been accepted to showcase their work. We joke, but such a large response is certainly noteworthy.

About the Cape Town Month of Photography

The First Cape Town Month of Photography was launched in 1999 and has continued since as a tri-annual event. This year marks the beginning of the reformatting of the event as a bi-annual affair, as public reaction has been so positive.

The four-week showcase is the celebration of photography as a medium, and includes work that spans categories ranging from personal and artistic expression to social engagement, political commentary and philosophical discourse. Photographers exhibiting during the festival range in experience from beginner right up to professional.

While the entry date has closed for submissions for the 2012 festival, photographers looking to enter for the 2014 festival would be advised to peruse the various exhibitions, merely just to check out competitors’ work and, perhaps, find a little inspiration. The festival organisers from the South African Centre for Photography take pride in never refusing an applicant’s work, which is why they never outright deny work, but will rather critique a showing, and provide suggestions on how a photographer can improve their work. Artists are then given a second chance to submit.

Tickets for the 5th Cape Town Month of Photography 2012

Organisers are hoping for a R20 donation at the entrance to the Castle of Good Hope, but everyone is welcome regardless. They are also expecting a very large crowd, and so they ask that you RSVP to Linda Sarda using the phone number provided below.

The various exhibitions happening throughout Cape Town are, for the most part, free of charge. However, some galleries and museums have entry fees, and thus cost depends on the specific venue.

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For more information on exhibitions and venues, workshops and masterclasses please do not hesitate to contact the organisers using the information we have provided below.

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Use our events section and don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for an up-to-date overview of happenings in Cape Town. Also, don’t forget to follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, join our Google+ circle and check out our Pinterest boards for updates.

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By Aisling Holmes