Photography: The Whole Story Paperback – 10 Sept. 2012

This is a beautifully produced book. Like T&H's "Art - The Whole Story" (see my review) it is arranged chronologically with five sections from the early days to the present. Each section then has a time frame and a number of subsections where photographs are analysed in detail in a double-page spread (usually the subsection has a two- or four-page essay presenting the background where additional photographs are discussed). The analysis is excellent, the quality superb. My only (slight) issue is that I'd have liked more photographs and shorter discussions (as was the style with the Art volume). Unlike art, of course, photography doesn't begin until the 1820s so the history is somewhat compressed (which I don't find a bad thing).Lots of superb photos; lots of ideas; really good.

Concise, and certainly not bloated as are some other 'anthologies' of photography, this is a very worthwhile contribution in an otherwise well developed genre.It may not be the 'whole story' as claimed, but it is an informative and entertaining read, captivating one from time to time as one chances upon well-digested information one had somehow missed in other sources.Looking through the index there is thorough coverage of much of photography, and for the price it is pretty much a 'must have'.The only downside might be the perhaps over-zealous coverage of the early years of photography, information which is perhaps easily available elsewhere. But overall the authors have done a really good job.

A must have book for anyone interested in photography. It covers the history of photography through all genres. Unusually, it covers important contributions from photographers from all over the world.There is an intorduction to each chapter and then representative photographs (mostly full page) with helpful critiques and comments. A particularly nice touch is the small naviation boxes which help one to find the place in the photograph the comment is about. Often there is a small biography of the photographer.The book is easy to read, easy to navigate and I have learnt much from it's well written text. Highly recommended.

Great overview with a lot of detail. Only criticisms would be the failure to mention the hugely influential Photo League community on the development of many great photographers in New York and the US, from the early 1930s to 1951. These include Berenice Abbott and [the relatively unknown] Arthur Leipzig, amongst many many others. Leipzig's work is featured in the book, 'Next Stop New York'. For more information on the Photo League movement, I can recommend the excellent book, 'The Radical Camera'.For me, the other significant omission is the failure to mention the incredible work of Fan Ho, born in Shanghai but whose work often features Hong Kong during a fascinating stage in it's development. His blend of 'Fine Art meets street/ social documentary style' photography is well worth checking out further.

From the very beginning of our ability to capture reality it has also been possible to evoke much more than just a moment in time. Despite early technical limitations a skilled photographer has been able to manage light, emotion and the moment to create these memorable and iconic images. This book is a broad brush attempt to tell this history of just the past 170 years. It is an inspirational sampler which should lead the reader to make better images and also to seek to find out more about the work of some truly great artists

It's a book many who have studied photography have read, and for good reason. Well written and highly informative, its a great addition for anyone's library.

The book is a very helpful for everyone who gas intended in photography.

Very good book for learning the history of photography, good quality print

Another large, thick book on the history of photography from a different authors standpoint. Worth the time and price.

Well written and organized. Photographic illustrations for everything. Enjoyed reading it all the way through but could be read in bits and pieces.

Great insight to photography

A must have book for those who want to understand the history of this art form.

la prima volta l'ho regalato, è piaciuto così tanto che... l'ho acquistato pure per me!!!splendido dono per un fotografo, e splendida chicca per me stessa!