Encyclopedia of Twentieth-Century Photography

Lynn Warren, Editor

Key Features Publication Details/Order Online

Photography is an international cultural form, practice, and profession. Encompassing art, advertising, journalism, fashion, commercial, political, and everyday photography, the field of photography also includes chemical processes, mechanical inventions, equipment, industries, movements, techniques, terms and concepts. In addition, photography has a considerable presence in public forums of all kinds, such as museums, archives, galleries, and publications.

The Encyclopedia of Twentieth-Century Photography brings together this rich history in three volumes. It explores the vast international scope of twentieth-century photography and explains that history with a wide-ranging, interdisciplinary manner. This unique approach covers the aesthetic history of photography as an evolving art and documentary form, while also recognizing it as a developing technology and cultural force. This three volume Encyclopedia presents the important developments, movements, photographers, photographic institutions, and theoretical aspects of the field along with information about equipment, techniques, and practical applications of photography. To bring this history alive for the reader, the set is illustrated in black and white throughout, and each volume contains a color plate section. A useful glossary of terms is also included.

The entries in this A-Z reference work range from 1000 to 5000 words fall into six categories:

Person entries: important photographers, critics, curators, collectors, theorists, and other individuals whose contribution to photography and understanding of photography is exemplary. Entries include: Diane Arbus, Roland Barthes, John Berger, Chuck Close, Hiroshi Hamaya, Lorna Simpson, Susan Sontag, Edward Weston, Minor White

Institutions, Galleries, and Collections entries: international venues, schools, and private and corporate collections such as the Australian Centre for Photography; Bauhaus; Farm Security Administration; the Museum of Modern Art (New York); the Royal Photographic Society; and the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography

Topics and term entries: topics, genres, techniques, concepts, theory, schools of thought, and movements. Entries include: appropriation; artist's books; constructed reality; contrast; lighting; pictorialism; propaganda; vernacular photography

Equipment entries: equipment that is fundamental to photography and deserving of longer, more detailed discussion than is given in the glossary, such as cable release; camera: 35 mm; camera: pinhole; darkroom; film; light meter

History and Region entries: overview entries and long survey entries on regions in which important techniques and practices in photography have emerged. Entries include: History of Photography: Nineteenth-Century Foundations; Photography in Africa: Overview; Photography in China and Taiwan; Photography in Europe: Germany and Austria; Photography in Japan; Photography in the United States: the South

Periodical and publisher entries: important periodicals and fine arts publishers of photography such as Afterimage; Condé Nast; Drum; Fine Arts Presses; Life; Periodicals: Professional; Popular Photography

This Encyclopedia is the most comprehensive and up-to-date resource that scholars, students, and the interested layperson can turn to for information on all aspects of photography in the twentieth century. From the accessible and engaging biographies to the comprehensive historical overviews, this work will appeal to all interested in photography.

Each entry lists sources for further reading and research; entries on individuals feature a capsule biography, one person-exhibitions, group exhibitions, selected works, and additional references
Glossary of terms which compiles many technical terms that characterize the field of photography
Accessible A-Z format for easy navigation
Vivid illustrations including over 100 black-and-white photographs and color insert in each volume
Helpful research tools including a comprehensive, analytical index and a thorough network of cross-references
Entries are written by an international group of leading experts, scholars, and historians

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