Talks: Photo London, Somerset House

If you’re a photography fan, chances are you’ve already got the 18th to 22nd May circled in your diary. Photo London is coming to town, and with exhibitions spread across the capital, there’s plenty to be excited about.

The fair also boasts an impressively wide range of talks. Such a wide range, we might add, that choosing which to attend could prove a little overwhelming. So to make planning that bit easier, here are Culture Whisper’s top picks.

Nick Knight in conversation with Hans-Ulrich Obrist, 18 May, 2:30-3:30, Auditorium

Nick Knight is a photographer best known for his space-age fashion shoots, as well as the artist behind one of the most iconic album covers of all time: Bjork’s Homogenic. He’s joined in conversation by Hans-Ulrich Obrist. To say that Obrist wrote the book on curation is an understatement. The Serpentine’s Co-Director of Exhibitions and Programmes and Director of International Projects has actually written three: A Brief History of Curating, Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Curating, and Ways of Curating.

Mary McCartney in conversatin with Philippe Garner, 19 May, 12:20-1:05, Auditorium

Mary McCartney is a leading portrait photographer whose subjects have included 00s royalty from Tony Blair to Kate Moss to Jude Law. She’s joined onstage by Philippe Garner, a Director of Christie’s, and the International Head of Photographs and 20th Century Decorative Arts and Design.

Don McCullin in conversation with Simon Baker, 19 May, 2:30-3:30, Auditorium

Don McCullin is surely one of the most important photographers of our time. Best known for his documentation of war, and the horrors of conflict, he’s increasingly interested in landscape work. He’s joined by Simon Baker, the first curator of photography and international art at the Tate Modern.

Martin Parr in conversation, 20 May, 4:00-5:00, Auditorium

Martin Parr is sometimes seen as distinctly British photographer: an offbeat chronicler of seaside holidays and days out. But his work is far broader than such a view allows. Perhaps his crowning achievement is Small World: a continent-spanning series reflecting on the absurdity of the tourist experience. In any case, wherever Parr directs his lens, he finds humour, vibrancy, and insight.

Richard Misrach, 20 May, 5:30-7:00, Auditorium

Richard Misrach was at the forefront of colour photography in the 1970s. His subjects, then as now, tend to be desolate landscapes, from deserts to factories. Expect discussion of a major new project.

Edward Burtysnky in conversation with David Campany, 21 May, 1:20-2:05, Auditorium

Edward Burtynsky is an environmental photographer whose abiding interests are mankind’s uses and misuses of the natural world. In 2005, he was awarded the TED Prize so his public speaking credentials are beyond doubt. He’s joined by David Campany, curator of A Handful of Dust at Le Bal, Paris, an exhibition which included work by the likes of Gerhard Richter and Man Ray.

All talk tickets are only valid with a Day Pass for any day of the fair.