Berkeley was educated at Uppingham School, was a member of the Royal Photographic Society and exhibited work from 1874 until 1889.
In 1882 the British Journal of Photography Almanac included his new formula of pyrogallol, sulfite and citric acid in their publication.
Berkeley's health was beginning to fail and in 1889 he left England and travelled to Algiers, probably with the hope that a drier climate would be of benefit to him.
A plaque in memoriam to him hangs inside St. Leonard's church, Cotheridge, located a short distance from his family home.
Herbert Bowyer Berkeley was not fully recognised for his important discovery and contribution to the developing process.