Brighton’s always attracted photographic creativity – there are plenty of people out there who bother to look beyond the West Pier in their viewfinders – and the University of Brighton Photography Show marks both ends and beginnings for its graduates. The exhibited works are, inevitably for many, the last chance to show work uninhibited by commercial leanings, as well as the beginning of their photographs’ life under public scrutiny. Part of the Uni’s Faculty of Arts graduate shows, the 2011 photography exhibition is entitled Stare – held at the Lighthouse Gallery for the first time. Elsewhere across the Grand Parade and Pavilion Parade sites, graduates from courses including Architecture, Fashion, Fine Art, Performance, Arts History and more are all worthy competitors for your attention.

We’ve seen a selection of the Stare photographs already and it looks like another great year for Brighton photography. Fake portraits, folklore, lingual heritage, mythical beasts, mental illness and the similarities between women and wolves are among the subjects mused over in a disparate showcase. Find more details at stare2011.com.

Lighthouse Gallery, Kensington St, Sat 4th – Thurs 9th
WORDS BY NICK COQUET, PHOTO BY JESSICA MORRIS