Bensusan Museum of Photography

In the heart of Newtown, Johannesburg just a few meters away from Mary Fitzgerald Square in Museum Africa you’ll find the home to a fine curated collection of unique and priceless finely crafted photographic equipment. Inside the Bensusan Museum of Photography you’ll be greeted with light capturing antiques that truly bring back the nostalgia of how photography has told stories over so many years of history.

The museum is named after Dr AD Bensusan, a former mayor of Johannesburg and an individual who pioneered the art and science in South Africa, the museum was donated to the city in 1968. In addition to a beautiful collection of cameras, the museum is also home to many fine collections of photographic records and historical documents. A noteworthy item in the collection is a very early Daguerre camera bought by WH Fox Talbot in 1839, which was the year that the invention of photography was announced to the world. This collection shows how photography has progressed over the years, navigating its way through the challenges and time to cater for the evolution and success of the image-capturing medium.

History can be experienced first hand through the display of artifacts, such as early wet-plate prints. Historical artifacts are not the only subject matter in this collection, you’ll come across current exposés on display such as stereoscopic views, holograms and digital images. As part of the collection, the museum also specializes in preserving the work of South African photographers in conjunction with interactive toys, darkrooms and multimedia shows providing educational basics into of photography.

With more than 400 antique cameras, 5000 photographs and 2000 photography books, the Bensusan Museum of Photography gives the everyday eye a window into how images have been captured over the years. For the fanatical photographers there is also a library populated with photographic cuttings, pamphlets, journals, books and magazine on the work of photographers, how they used their equipment and also processes and techniques.

Whether you’re just interested in seeing beautiful optics or gaining a little insight into the development of cinematography, The Bensusan Museum of Photography will surely give you a visual experience of the world that has allowed us to communicate visually.

Address: Museum Africa, 121 Bree Street, Newtown, Johannesburg.
Telephone: +27 (0)11 833-5624
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 09h00 to 17h00.