“If you go back to 1983, there was no organisation set up to encourage the development of photography at any level. Belfast Exposed was the first organisation to allow and encourage photographers to show their work.” Sean McKernan.

30 years ago Belfast Exposed was set up as an ambitious one off exhibition aimed at using community photographs as a means to change the worlds depiction of a Northern Ireland at war within itself.

Northern Visions went along to the event and spoke to those at the fore of the organisation’s beginning and some of the world’s most revered international photographers to get a sense of the evolution and influence of Belfast Exposed.

This exhibition celebrates the eclectic mix over photography spanning across three decades, these images helped to shape and define the people of Belfast’s understanding of Northern Ireland, long with the world’s.

“It’s evolution has been to be more ambitious, to be an organisation that can reach outside internationally.” Donovan Whylie.