Photography is thriving in Monterey County, and a local festival builds upon the tradition of the art form.

Agata Popęda here, thinking about the first known photo of Monterey, which was taken circa 1856. It shows San Carlos Cathedral, aka Royal Presidio Chapel, and is now part of the Pat Hathaway Collection of Historical Photographs collection which is in the care of the Monterey County Historical Society. 

That means there’s been photographers in Monterey County since the first decade of its incorporation, in 1850, as one of California's 27 original counties. 

But it’s Ansel Adams and Edward Weston who—in the first decades of the 20th century—put this region on the map of American photography. Since then, the county has been building upon this tradition, attracting photographers and fans from all over the world.

But good photography is not being created in a vacuum. It can be found in collegiate groups, for example, where future generations can learn the craft. And Monterey County has it all, as I hoped to demonstrate in this week’s cover story devoted to the renewal of the photography department at Monterey Peninsula College, where this art has been taught continuously since the 1950s. 

The renaissance of the department reflects the general renewal of interest in analog photography and the ever-growing possibilities of digital photography, still defining its boundaries in relation to the usage of AI in creating images. The MPC photography program has more students than ever, and PhotoCarmel—a local photography festival that grew from one night to a six-week parade of events in various venues and locations—is proof that local photography is thriving. 

Meet the key players in the county that make it possible by attending one of more than 50 events that are taking place under the umbrella of PhotoCarmel 2026. Perhaps the MPC photo program is something that you are looking for to take your next step as a photographer. 

For the next six weeks, opportunities to interact with local and regional photography are endless.