The first exhibition mounted in 1963 was organized jointly by the then Festival Commission, the Professional Photographers Association and the Jamaica Camera Club. P.C. Whitbourne and H.M. 'Quito' Bryan-the first two chairmen of the Photography Committee-were instrumental in drafting the guidelines for the programme. Since then several revisions have taken place, with the assistance of members from groups such as the University of the West Indies Camera Club and Colour Photography Club of Jamaica.

Early objectives of the Photography Committee included procurement of proper equipment to facilitate the mounting of exhibitions of international standard, encouragement of camera clubs in schools, the establishment of a travelling exhibition, and the acquisition of a permanent venue for the exhibition. Success has not been achieved in all areas but the Committee takes great pride in the strides that have been made.

In 1997 a new category "manipulated prints" was added, recognising the impact that technology is having on photography by allowing the manipulation of original photographic images by computer. Also for the first time, the winning entries were exhibited in New York, USA, courtesy of the Jamaica Consulate and Air Jamaica. Since this time all successful entries in the National Photography Exhibition are framed.

This year the Photography 2000 Exhibition will also be available as a "virtual" exhibition on the internet, to Jamaicans and others worldwide.

Jamaican Photography is internationally competitive, and it represents a resource with limitless potential for the future development of the nation.