Photographers gather in London for the World Photography Festival 2011

Next week, professional and amateur photographers will be gathering at London's Somerset House for the World Photography Organisation's World Photography Festival (26 April - 1 May).

Every photographer in London should attend the festival. It offers an opportunity to share work, take part in workshops and portfolio critiques, see screenings and exhibitions on everything from self-publishing and studio techniques to the preparation, planning and potential pitfalls of photographing the Royal Wedding.

The festival's main event is the Sony World Photography Awards gala ceremony (27 April) at the Odeon in Leicester Square, when the overall winner of the competition will be announced. The day after the awards ceremony (28 April) the Sony World Photography Awards shortlist winners will be offering further insight into their work by giving a tour around the winners' showcase exhibition and answering questions from the audience in Somerset House's Embankment Gallery.

Also on show will be a retrospective of Magnum documentary photographer Bruce Davidson's work to celebrate Davidson receiving the 'Outstanding Contribution to Photography' award at this year's ceremony.

New talent will not be left out as the festival teams up with Young Tate to present this year's student competition. The 2011 theme takes inspiration from the Tate exhibition earlier this year Exposed: Voyeurism, Surveillance and the Camera which then transferred to SFMoMA. 

All exhibitions will run throughout the festival and until 22 May. Follow the link to the World Photography Organisation to see the full schedule of workshops, seminars and lectures.