About

Benedict Brain is a UK-based photographer, writer and author. His practice spans personal projects, editorial assignments, writing about photography and teaching through workshops and enrichment programmes. An award-winning journalist, he also writes a monthly column, The Art of Seeing.

His first book, You Will Be Able to Take Great Photos By the End of this Book (Ilex/Octopus, 2023), has been published in the UK, USA, Spain, Germany and Bulgaria, with a US edition released by Prestel. His second book, A Camera Bag Companion, was published in 2024.

Benedict is frequently invited to judge major photography competitions and, in 2020, founded Potato Photographer of the Year. He lectures internationally on the art and craft of photography and is represented in the UK by Sandra Higgins Art.

Between 2020 and 2024, I represented Sigma as a brand ambassador. This is one of our promo videos

THE ART of SEEING

I write a monthly column for Digital Camera magazine. The focus isn’t on shutter speeds or kit reviews, it’s about why we make photographs rather than how. Each piece reflects on a single image from my practice, exploring ideas, intention, motivation and the art of seeing. It’s less about technique, more about thought process. I’ve been writing the column for over six years. As of summer 2025, that’s 93 articles, over 100 photographs and a whole bunch of words.

  • 2025: Cornucopia: A Collector’s Delight presented by Sandra Higgins Art  

  • 2024: The Art of Seeing, (Talk) Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institute (BRLSI)

  • 2024: Keynote Speaker, The Art of Seeing, CAPA, Canada

  • 2023: KG+2023, @ Bijuu, Kyoto, Japan

  • 2023: Paradise Found: New Visions of the Blackdown Hills, Thelma Hulbert Gallery , Honiton, Devon, UK

  • 2018: Evolving Landscapes,  Oxo Tower Wharf, London, UK

  • 2017: Alternative Facts, 44AD Artspace, Bath, UK

  • 2016: Utopia:Dystopia, Fringe Arts Bath, The Walcot Chapel, Bath, UK

  • 2016: Storylines, Photo Bath , 44AD Artspace, Bath, UK

  • 2009: RWA Open Exhibition 2009, Bristol, UK

  • 2004: Tanqueray Ten Exhibition, Art Center South Florida, Miami Beach USA

  • 2003: The Wall, The Diaspora Vibe Gallery, Wynwood, Miami (with Denise Perry)

Exhibitions & talks