The Cape Town Month of Photography Festival

A snapshot of this spring celebration’s photographic exhibitions, gallery showcases and highlights


The 5th Cape Town Month of Photography Festival is a photographic celebration made up of a series of exhibitions set to storm venues throughout the Mother City. The festival features showcases that have already opened in various museums, upmarket restaurants and galleries across Cape Town, and many more are still to come during September, October and early November. Throughout the festival there will also be workshops and masterclasses held by both local experts in the field and by visiting international professional photographers;a photo quiz night during which you can win fantastic prizes is also on the cards.

In short, whether you’re into colour or black and white film, digital (Nikon or (even) Canon), old-school accordion cameras or plastic lomography cameras (we’re not here to judge), whether you love Photoshop or feel more at home in a chemically saturated darkroom, there’s bound to be something that piques your interest.

Especially, as the South African Centre for Photography has had an overwhelming response to this year’s call for submissions (shocking, seeing as every hipster out there is the next Ansel Adams...); over 160 photographers have been accepted to showcase their work. We joke, but such a large response is certainly noteworthy.

About the Cape Town Month of Photography

The First Cape Town Month of Photography was launched in 1999 and has continued since as a tri-annual event. This year marks the beginning of the reformatting of the event as a bi-annual affair, as public reaction has been so positive.

The four-week showcase is the celebration of photography as a medium, and includes work that spans categories ranging from personal and artistic expression to social engagement, political commentary and philosophical discourse. Photographers exhibiting during the festival range in experience from beginner right up to professional.

While the entry date has closed for submissions for the 2012 festival, photographers looking to enter for the 2014 festival would be advised to peruse the various exhibitions, merely just to check out competitors’ work and, perhaps, find a little inspiration. The festival organisers from the South African Centre for Photography take pride in never refusing an applicant’s work, which is why they never outright deny work, but will rather critique a showing, and provide suggestions on how a photographer can improve their work. Artists are then given a second chance to submit.

Tickets for the 5th Cape Town Month of Photography 2012

Organisers are hoping for a R20 donation at the entrance to the Castle of Good Hope, but everyone is welcome regardless. They are also expecting a very large crowd, and so they ask that you RSVP to Linda Sarda using the phone number provided below.

The various exhibitions happening throughout Cape Town are, for the most part, free of charge. However, some galleries and museums have entry fees, and thus cost depends on the specific venue.

---

For more information on exhibitions and venues, workshops and masterclasses please do not hesitate to contact the organisers using the information we have provided below.

---

Use our events section and don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for an up-to-date overview of happenings in Cape Town. Also, don’t forget to follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, join our Google+ circle and check out our Pinterest boards for updates.

---

By Aisling Holmes

Cape Town Events Calendar
 
September 2012
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30

Aubergine Auslese event featureSophisticated private event space in ...

Bespoke menus, wine pairings, and timeless interiors

Light House Holistic 2026Rooftop clubhouse with yoga, sauna, ...

It’s open from 7am to 5.30pm. 5 reasons to go Light House Holistic

mischu new breakfast 2026Breakfast at mischu: R119 special with ...

Eggs benedict & flat white for R119, + try the viral crookie

Pear Tree 2024Pear Tree, the tiny Hermanus bistro ...

Breakfast poké bowls, egg and kimchi tacos, and fresh juices

Filini interiorFilini at Radisson Cape Town Foreshore

Tiramisu martinis, lasagne crocchetta and more

WB TAPSBrewery with food specials every single ...

Daily deals on classic comfort meals like burgers, schnitzel, ribs, steaks…

Woodstock Brewery Taproom NEW 4Cool taproom with amazing happy hour & ...

Craft beer tasting trays, burgers for just R60, R35 happy hour pints

Aubergine Auslese event featureSophisticated private event space in ...

Bespoke menus, wine pairings, and timeless interiors

Light House Holistic 2026Rooftop clubhouse with yoga, sauna, ...

It’s open from 7am to 5.30pm. 5 reasons to go Light House Holistic

mischu new breakfast 2026Breakfast at mischu: R119 special with ...

Eggs benedict & flat white for R119, + try the viral crookie

Milk on the beach wafflesWaffle Shack is the ultimate ...

Waffle crocs on a blue flag beach near Hermanus

Pear Tree 2024Pear Tree, the tiny Hermanus bistro ...

Breakfast poké bowls, egg and kimchi tacos, and fresh juices

Dutchies recurring event Free jazz nights at Dutchies by Grotto ...

Sushi platters, crisp wine, and jazz in the sea breeze

Filini interiorFilini at Radisson Cape Town Foreshore

Tiramisu martinis, lasagne crocchetta and more

WB TAPSBrewery with food specials every single ...

Daily deals on classic comfort meals like burgers, schnitzel, ribs, steaks…

Woodstock Brewery Taproom NEW 4Cool taproom with amazing happy hour & ...

Craft beer tasting trays, burgers for just R60, R35 happy hour pints

WTM 2026 post eventInside WTM Africa 2026, its biggest ...

8 000+ attendees, 780 exhibitors, and record growth

rooikat newSafari getaway just one hour from Cape ...

Beach safaris, game drives & giraffes just steps from your stoep

Team building 2025 Gravity AdventuresTeam-building activities you’ll ...

For any budget! From 6-courses on wheels to R85 blueberry picking

!Khwa ttu Museum!Khwa ttu, the world’s first heritage ...

Immersive exhibitions, food tours, tea tasting & more

Wescape IdeaWescape City close to Cape Town

A new R140-billion development for the Western Cape. Will you be living in this ...

Father's Day 2024 Clay CaféSpecial places to celebrate your ...

Racing simulators, picnics pods, escape rooms, high tea...

Two Oceans Aquarium 2024Leadership, scuba diving, concerts + ...

Plus markets, fun runs and youth-led conversations (June 16)

NYE 2023 Benguela CoveUnique things to do for Father’s Day

Stargazing tour, racing simulators, vineyard lunches + more

GiveawaysTravel Tips