Exhibitions provide amateur photographers not only with a vehicle to share their work with others but also a degree of purpose, direction and inspiration. The element of competition and the chance to win awards or recognition also encourages many people to take part.

Photographic exhibitions are organized at local, regional, national and international levels. Photographic societies and clubs all over the world not only organize their own events but also submit entries, either independently or in conjunction with others, to regional events.

However, exhibitions are also quite practicable for a single dedicated photographer. The challenge is obviously greater when one person provides all the images, and perhaps also carries out all the administrative work, advertising and set-up. nevertheless, the rewards are potentially larger for the photographer than those offered by group exhibitions. Not least of these is the clarity that results from reviewing years of one's own work.