Fit to Print: Defining Moments from the Fairfax Photo Archive selected by Mike Bowers | National Library of Australia (NLA)

Fit to Print: Defining Moments from the Fairfax Photo Archive selected by Mike Bowers

Grey background with white text reading 'Fit to Print: Defining Moments from the Fairfax Archive' and a black and white photo of two men working on a large ship propeller
The Library has invited renowned Australian photojournalist Mike Bowers to select some of his favourite images from the Fairfax Photo Archive. With images printed from the original glass-plate negatives the exhibition explores how the pioneers of press photography in Australia developed their storytelling skills while also creating a lasting record of Australian society in the opening decades of the twentieth century.

The Library holds more than 18,000 photographs in the Fairfax Archive of glass-plate negatives. Published in newspapers such as The Sydney Morning Herald, The Sun and The Sydney Mail between 1890 and 1948, these images trace the art of photojournalism from its infancy, through the development of visual storytelling, to the highly illustrated news stories we know so well today.

At its very best photojournalism can define a moment, a movement, an era, or even a whole generation. It can bring down a careless politician or elevate them to a winning position. It can lift a weary spirit. And sometimes it can move opinions and change the way we view the world.

Mike Bowers, curator of Fit to Print

Exhibition highlights

Black and white photo of two men working on a large ship propeller

Fairfax Corporation, Men working on the propeller of the H.M.A.S. Australia at Cockatoo Island Dock, Sydney 4 June 1930, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-161678472

Black and white photo of six dance students in white tops and skirts leaping

Fairfax Corporation, Six of Miss Stange's pupils during a dance performance, New South Wales, 30 May 1933, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-162055145

Black and white photo of a man sitting and examining a cello in a workshop

Fairfax Corporation, Man examining a cello at Smith's of Hunter Street, Sydney, 25 July 1930, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-160274733

Black and white photo of a older man wearing an old-fashion at lamp

Fairfax Corporation, Collier wearing a hat lamp at Lithgow Vale Colliery, New South Wales, 21 December 1932, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-157886388

Black and white photo of a boy and dog in a billycart racing down a street

Fairfax Corporation, Boy and dog in a billycart race past other children on a suburban street, Sydney, ca. 1920s, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-162855139

Black and white image of a young girl smilng and holding a large apple up on her shoulder

Fairfax Corporation, Young girl holding a large apple beside her head, New South Wales, ca. 1930s, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-163350126

Black and white photo of two young women sitting and reading on a wall in front of a large ornate building

Herbert H Fishwick & Fairfax Corporation, Two female students studying in the grounds at Sydney University, Sydney, June 1934, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-163384894

Exhibition details
27 Feb - 20 Jul 2025
9:00am – 5:00pm
Free
Exhibition Gallery
Accessibility
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon Assistance animals welcome
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon Wheelchair accessible

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