Photography: A Critical Introduction

This is the first introductory textbook to examine key debates in photographic theory and place them in their social and political contexts. Written especially for students in further education, higher education and introductory college courses, it provides a coherent introduction to the nature of photographic seeing. Individual chapters cover key debates and theorists; the documentary role of the camera; the popular and personal, including the family album; advertising and commodity culture; photography as fine art and photography and digital imaging. Designed to direct students to key reading and to assist understanding of central concepts, this accessible textbook includes: * Principal references in the margin * A full glossary of terms * Comprehensive end-of-chapter bibliographies * Case studies demonstrating methods of analysis The discussion of theories, case studies and developments is impressively illustrated throughout with photographs and images, their diversity reflecting the breadth of issues and practices covered. Work by Jacob Rees, Dorothea Lange and Lee Friedlander features in the discussion of documentary photography. Advertising and contemporary fashion photography are exemplified by images from early Kodak advertising and recent campaigns by Benetton. Photographers referenced in the discussion of photography as fine art include Bill Brandt, Alexander Rodchenko, Lee Miller and Ingrid Pollard. The significance of new image technologies in the 'post-photographic' era is illustrated with computer-generated images and a NASA satellite image of Earth. Liz Wells, The London Institute, Patricia Holland, Freelance Writer and Filmmaker Martin Lister, University of the West of England Derrick Price, University of the West of