AN exhibition of more than 80 images highlighting the work of 17 professional photographers opens at the Bermuda Society of Arts Gallery at City Hall tomorrow.

According to Scott Stallard of the Bermuda Professional Photographic Association, the wide-ranging display by some of the island's top talent demonstrates a real boom in the profession.

Mr. Stallard said that the BPPA was formed after local photographers began winning Government contracts about seven years ago. This is the organisation's second exhibition.

"That really brought a lot of work our way and encouraged us to get together and show off our work," Mr. Stallard said.

"I think photography is really booming at the moment and I think this show will also inspire a lot of amateurs out there.

Everyone in Bermuda is always looking for entertainment and I think this will give them something to get their emotions up."

The show features a variety of genres in both traditional and digital print, colour and black and white.

"There's everything from abstract to landscape, travel, still-life, studio work, architectural and portraiture ? but I don't think there's a single shot of a Bermuda beach," Mr. Stallard said.

"I would say the images have some emotional value and it's definitely something that will grab your attention."

The BPPA 2006 Biennial Exhibition runs through October 11.