From the back cover: “The History of Photography has long been recognized as a classic contribution to the study of the art of photography. Beaumont Newhall has achieved the most sensitive and thorough history of the medium, revealed through the eyes of those photographers who have shaped our vision and the understanding of our society through photography. Using more than two hundred illustrations of works by major photographers such as Hill and Adamson, O’Sullivan, Cameron, Atget, Emerson, Stieglitz, Weston, Adams, Lange, and Evans, the author presents a fascinating, comprehensive study of the significant trends and developments in the medium since the first photographs in 1839.”

This was the text book for my college class on the history of photography. The fifth edition I own was published in 1982. Since then there are been of course massive upheaval in technology as well as a massive re evaluation of the history of photography. This history certain comes from a western male dominated perspective. We know have a higher appreciation of the work of people and cultures around the world and the substantial contribution made by women.

But understanding the history of photography at any level can help infuse your creative decisions. I have a few other books that take on history.

This one focuses on the innovations that fundamentally changed the genre, stuff like The Polaroid, the use of photography forjournalism etc.

Good old Taschen delivers massive books on photographic history, this one is a overview of the evolution of the genre in the 20th century.

This one takes on “iconic” images and explains their context and tehstories behind them. 

Whatever part of the history of the genre you take on, it’s important to understand how the genre has evolved and how great photographers have come before you. I know it might be hard for some to grasp but there were so many amazing photographers before instagram! 🙂