Hill & Adamson : Exhibition & Book Launch & Seminar
In May 2026, Studies in Photography will publish a significant new book, Hill & Adamson: The Fisherwomen and Men of the Firth of Forth, by Sara Stevenson. This volume offers a fresh perspective on the pioneering work of David Octavius Hill RSA and Robert Adamson, whose remarkable collaboration between 1843 and 1847 produced some of the most enduring images in the history of photography.
Their portraits of the fisherfolk of the Firth of Forth capture both the dignity and hardship of 19th-century coastal life, marking a defining moment in the development of the photographic portrait. The partnership was tragically cut short by Adamson’s early death, yet Hill continued to play a vital role in Scotland’s artistic life. As Secretary of the Royal Scottish Academy from 1836 to 1869, he served with extraordinary dedication for over three decades, helping to shape the institution’s identity and legacy.
A seminar to be held in May, will re-examine the importance of their work and the position of Scotland at the forefront of early photography.
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