Electricity is the invisible force that powers photography’s journey from concept to capture. It plays a critical role in every step, whether it’s the movement of the subject, or the mechanical precision of the camera’s inner workings. 

As you navigate through highlights from the V&A’s photography collection, you’re invited to delve into the myriad forms of energy that coalesce in the creation of a single, captivating photograph. 

This exploration reflects on how, from the click of the shutter to the final print, electricity is the silent yet omnipresent partner in the dance of light and shadow that etches images into existence.

Image:

From the series Libido Uprising, 1989 · Jo Spence ·C-type Print · © Jo Spence, Rosy Martin · © Victoria and Albert Museum, London