Projections of Putney – Past & Present at Putney Library
Local branch of London Independent Photography exhibits its work
Passing Time in Putney by James Kirkland
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April 13, 2026
Putney Library will turn its walls into a window on local history this spring as it hosts Projections of Putney: Past & Present, an exhibition celebrating the neighbourhood through photography old and new. Running from 28 March to 2 May, the show is presented by the Putney satellite group of London Independent Photography, a community of amateur and professional photographers dedicated to exploring the city through the lens.
The exhibition brings together contemporary work with rare historic images captured in the late 1800s by William Field, one of Putney’s earliest documentarians. His photographs, taken at the dawn of the medium, offer an evocative glimpse of a riverside community on the cusp of modernity. As the exhibition notes, “we are lucky that at the dawn of photography back in the late 1800s, there was one William Field taking pictures locally that we can enjoy today.”
Alongside Field’s work, visitors will find a wide range of modern images that reflect how Putney has evolved — and how much of its character endures. From street scenes to architectural details and everyday moments, the exhibition invites viewers to consider the dialogue between past and present, and the ways in which photography continues to shape our understanding of place.
London Independent Photography, which supports photographers across the capital, describes the show as both a celebration of Putney’s heritage and an invitation to look more closely at the familiar. Those interested in joining the group or learning more about its activities can contact its chairman, Andrew Wilson, whose details are provided in the exhibition materials.
Supported by Positively Putney BID, Projections of Putney offers a thoughtful, visually rich journey through local history — a reminder of how the camera has captured, preserved and reimagined the life of this riverside community for more than a century.
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