Flash! A brief history of artificial lighting for photography

18 September 2025 – 22 February 2026

This unique exhibition explores the importance of flash and artificial lighting in the history of photography from the 19th to the 21st century. These innovations have (literally) shed light on things unseen (or at least, not seen enough), playing a major role in the visual construction of new, hitherto unknown worlds. From Nadar’s exploration of the catacombs of Paris to the glare of the paparazzi, Flash! highlights the central role of light in photography, immortalising everything from nightlife to political events and idealising film stars. The exhibition features original and unique works on loan from leading institutions including the Bibliothèque nationale de France, the Société Française de Photographie, La Fotostiftung Schweiz and Photo Élysée in Lausanne.

Produced and designed by the Swiss Camera Museum, the exhibition is being staged in collaboration with French magazine Photographica, which is devoting an issue to flash photography in autumn 2025.

Opening reception: Wednesday, September 17 at 6 p.m.

With the support of: