TWO major new exhibitions open tomorrow at the National Science and Media Museum, the first since the museum’s re-branding.

Britain in Focus: A Photographic History is the partner exhibition of a BBC Four documentary series looking at the history of British photography; from everyday snapshots through to world-renowned iconic images.

And Poetics of Light features more than 200 images from 150 photographers created using pinhole cameras.

Both exhibitions run until June 25.

Britain In Focus accompanies the three part documentary series presented by award-winning photographer and picture editor Eamonn McCabe, who was at the museum yesterday.

“It has been a remarkable and thrilling journey and I am thrilled that three hours are to be dedicated to the documentary. I’m a self-taught photographer but feel I have learned so much. I feel I have done a BA in three hours.

“The exhibition here in Bradford is marvellous and it is good to be back. The last time I was here was in 1988 when I was made a Fellow in Photography. I also did some teaching here.”

Both the exhibition and the series start with the dawn of photography in Britain in the 19th century, before charting its progress throughout 20th century to the present day, and the impact of the social media explosion.

Alongside pictures taken by anonymous soldiers in the First World War trenches and press shots of historic moments, the exhibition includes examples from postcard producer John Hinde, John Bulmer’s ground breaking images from the North of England, which appeared in the Sunday Times Magazine in the 1960s, WHF Talbot’s photographs of Lacock Abbey in the 1840s – some of the earliest photographs ever taken.

Other images on display include a selection of Jane Bown’s portraits of cultural figureheads from the 1960s and ‘70s, Martin Parr’s views of the 1980s, Eamonn McCabe’s reports from the Heysel stadium tragedy and Fay Godwin’s visual hymns to the British landscape.

Mr Bulmer said he was delighted some examples of his work taken in the North are part of the exhibition.

He said: “It is good to have been included and good to go down in history.

“Visitors will see this exhibition presents its own journey and the difference in composition required for colour and black and white photographs.”

John O’Shea, senior exhibitions manager at the museum, said: “Throughout Britain in Focus we see the fundamental role photography and photographers have played in recording the last two centuries in Britain – not only major social changes and historic moments, but also everyday life.

“Equally the exhibition shows the development of photography over this time, pointing to the incredible pace that technology, technique and subject matter have advanced, as its popularity made it the medium of choice for people to view and record their lives.”

Cassian Harrison, Channel Editor, BBC Four, said: “Partnering with major cultural institutions is a core part of the BBC Four offer,and I’m delighted that we’re working with the National Science and Media Museum on this major celebration of British photography over the last 150 years.”