Where to find photo exhibitions
- 300 rubles (200 rubles for students)
Here, you can expect to find exhibitions by Russian and international artists, typically united by a theme: for instance, the ongoing exhibition, Topographic Maps, presents the works of photographers who explored the landscapes of Abkhazia, Uzbekistan, Siberia, the Urals, the North Caucasus, Tatarstan, and other regions, depicting their unique culture and nature.
- Free
A gallery specializing in analog photography, Art of Foto opened in 2015. In the establishment’s collection, there are all kinds of old-style photographs, including antique daguerreotypes and ambrotypes, as well as works of acclaimed Russian and international photographers. You can always expect an exciting exhibition to be going on, as well.
- 150 rubles
One of Russia’s oldest photo studios and a museum, the gallery has a display of historical cameras and tools, documents, and a restored photo parlor. Apart from enjoying all the historical details and interiors, you can catch a nice view of Nevsky Prospect and the National Library of Russia from the gallery’s balcony.
Museum of the History of Photography
- Free
A rich collection of cameras from all ages, a display of photographs taken with different techniques, a photo lab, a library, as well as an exhibition space – the museum knows how to please both history and photography enthusiasts.
- Free (access to the library is via paid library cards)
Even though Foto Departament presents a display of its own prints, as well as a library and a bookstore, the organization is primarily an initiative that connects photographers, artists, and galleries and fosters collaborations. They also run an online platform with courses on photography and visual arts.
Monument to the Photographer
Famous for its many monuments, the city also has one that’s very relevant to this day: the special monument to the St. Petersburg photographer, located on Malaya Sadovaya St. 3. It commemorates the location of the first photo parlor of the Bulla dynasty – whose museum we’ve already mentioned above.
Buying equipment
If you are looking to one day contribute your works to exhibitions at the galleries from this article or just venturing into photography, St. Petersburg has a plethora of options in terms of both new and used cameras and accessories. Check out our guide for details.
Photo by ITMO University
Photogenic spots in the city
Apart from the classic views found on many souvenirs, our Northern Capital has, of course, much to offer to the admiring eye. We’ve written at length about the city’s many curious locations in our series Unexplored St. Petersburg – those will definitely inspire your creativity. You can also polish your skills in capturing the interplay of light and shadow in the intricate elements of buildings designed in all kinds of styles, from brutalism to classicism; just follow our series about the city’s architectural gems.
