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Photography: The Definitive Visual History
Trace the history and evolution of photography through iconic photographs, biographies of famous photographers, and the extraordinary cameras that made it possible.
From the first black and white photograph to modern digital imagery, photography has been one of the most fascinating developments in the past 200 years.
This is the perfect photographic coffee table book for budding photographers, seasoned professionals and anyone fascinated by the history of photography. It includes:
• Biographies of 50 famous photographers like Ansel Adams and Dorethea Lang.
• The history of photography, starting from its origin in the 1800s.
• Beautiful illustrations, plus many of the most iconic photos in history.
• Special features that center on a single arresting photograph, including Pulitzer Prize winners.
The development of photography is possibly one of the most extraordinary feats of modern technology. Photography: The Definitive Visual Guide captures the most awe-inspiring photos, people that have pushed the boundaries of this medium, and the cameras they experimented with — from the daguerreotype to digital cameras.
Packed with inspiration, this photography book also takes a step away from the pure art form and highlights how this medium has influenced social and cultural change. Author Tom Ang further includes segments on special types of photography — like street photography — and special features delving into the stories behind photographic images that changed how people saw the world!
Note from author:
Not everyone that could or even should be included is featured. Not only are the number of pages limited, photographers, agents, or estates had to agree to inclusion. Some did not. This accounts for many of the most obvious and glaring omissions.
From the first black and white photograph to modern digital imagery, photography has been one of the most fascinating developments in the past 200 years.
This is the perfect photographic coffee table book for budding photographers, seasoned professionals and anyone fascinated by the history of photography. It includes:
• Biographies of 50 famous photographers like Ansel Adams and Dorethea Lang.
• The history of photography, starting from its origin in the 1800s.
• Beautiful illustrations, plus many of the most iconic photos in history.
• Special features that center on a single arresting photograph, including Pulitzer Prize winners.
The development of photography is possibly one of the most extraordinary feats of modern technology. Photography: The Definitive Visual Guide captures the most awe-inspiring photos, people that have pushed the boundaries of this medium, and the cameras they experimented with — from the daguerreotype to digital cameras.
Packed with inspiration, this photography book also takes a step away from the pure art form and highlights how this medium has influenced social and cultural change. Author Tom Ang further includes segments on special types of photography — like street photography — and special features delving into the stories behind photographic images that changed how people saw the world!
Note from author:
Not everyone that could or even should be included is featured. Not only are the number of pages limited, photographers, agents, or estates had to agree to inclusion. Some did not. This accounts for many of the most obvious and glaring omissions.
480 pages, Hardcover
First published September 15, 2022
46 people are currently reading
602 people want to read
About the author
Tom Ang
120 books51 followersPhotographer, author, traveler and academic. An early pioneer in digital photography, I have written over 30 books on photography as well as on video. This work was recognised by the award of the HIPA Content Producer Award in 2019. I also won the Thomas Cook award for best Illustrated Travel Book for my coverage of the Marco Polo Expedition.
I was senior lecturer in photographic practice at the University of Westminster for over 12 years (1991–2004) and created the MA Photographic Journalism course. For over 10 years I photographed in Central Asia, traveling in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. I led a Know How Fund project that helped equip a radio studio for radio students and which reformed the journalism curriculum for the Kyrgyz Russian Slavonic University in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
I have written over thirty books on photography and video including Digital Photography Masterclass (now 3rd edition), Fundamentals of Photography,Tao of Photography, Digital Photographer’s Handbook (now 7th edition), Picture Editing (2nd edition), Eyewitness Companion: Photography, and Digital Video Handbook, How to Photograph Absolutely Everything.
I presented the BBC series ‘A Digital Picture of Britain’, first transmitted in 2005 on BBC4. A second series, entitled 'Britain in Pictures' was transmitted in 2007. I also presented an 8-part TV series for CNA (Channel News Asia) in Singapore which was broadcast in August 2009. This took a Bronze at the New York Film and TV Festival the following year.
I have served on juries of Hamdan International Photography Award, Wildlife Photographer of the Year, World Photography Award, Czech Press Photo.
I am a Sony NZ Digital Imaging Ambassador.
I was senior lecturer in photographic practice at the University of Westminster for over 12 years (1991–2004) and created the MA Photographic Journalism course. For over 10 years I photographed in Central Asia, traveling in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. I led a Know How Fund project that helped equip a radio studio for radio students and which reformed the journalism curriculum for the Kyrgyz Russian Slavonic University in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
I have written over thirty books on photography and video including Digital Photography Masterclass (now 3rd edition), Fundamentals of Photography,Tao of Photography, Digital Photographer’s Handbook (now 7th edition), Picture Editing (2nd edition), Eyewitness Companion: Photography, and Digital Video Handbook, How to Photograph Absolutely Everything.
I presented the BBC series ‘A Digital Picture of Britain’, first transmitted in 2005 on BBC4. A second series, entitled 'Britain in Pictures' was transmitted in 2007. I also presented an 8-part TV series for CNA (Channel News Asia) in Singapore which was broadcast in August 2009. This took a Bronze at the New York Film and TV Festival the following year.
I have served on juries of Hamdan International Photography Award, Wildlife Photographer of the Year, World Photography Award, Czech Press Photo.
I am a Sony NZ Digital Imaging Ambassador.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 31, 2020
Not your ordinary coffee table book. Tom Ang uses iconic photographs to put a fresh face on photography’s history.
March 26, 2018
Personally I have always had a deep affection for reference books and this is probably where I first fell in love with reading. I’ve been a huge fan of the DK format since the 90s, having bought and enjoyed a number of their reference books over the years, along with the likes of Collins, Readers Digest and Taschen, they always signify a true mark of quality and integrity and they tend to be the names that I go to first when looking for a reliable guide.
There are a dizzying array of names, techniques, movements and events that have helped make photography what it is today in the 21st Century. There are many profiles all through the book too, showcasing the many talents that have made an impact, from the likes of Cartier-Bresson to Alfred Stieglitz and Man Ray and many, many more.
We learn about some of the early pioneers like Jacques Mande-Daguerre and Henry Fox Talbot, whose negative/positive format would go on to dominate for over 150 years. We see the difference between the daguerreotype and the calotype? Like many new inventions of the era photography was initially a preserve of the select elite and also an opportunity to display status to other elites.
As it grew in popularity, more people in more places started to pay attention and soon countries were keen to record and capture parts of their country for posterity, France took the initial lead with the Rothchilds paying for their possessions and lives to be glorified in print and shown off to the wider world.
We go through all the history and high points, with people like James Clerk Maxwell, the first man to produce a colour photograph to George Eastman’s Box Brownie, which brought in a new age of amateur photography. Like Ford’s T Ford it was relatively affordable to the masses and popularised photography. The vast majority of photographers hail from the likes of the US, the UK, France and Germany but we also get input from other corners of the world like Rodchenko in Russia. Tomatsu in Japan and Manuel Alvarez Bravo in Mexico, as well as many others from Africa, South America and Australia.
There is also a long list of cameras that will be catnip to the enthusiasts, models like the Graflex and later the Auto Graflex, the Leica 1, one of the earliest 35 mm cameras. There was the iconic Kodachrome, the Nikon F, which not only changed the photography game, but also did much to help rebuild Post War Japan. There was the Rolleiflex. Then Edwin Land’s Polaroid SX-70 (as favoured by a certain Andy Warhol). We even get the inclusion of the I Phone 3GS and the Hubble Space Telescope, which at a cost of $2.5 billion is the most expensive camera ever made.
We get a highly informative background into many branches of the art. Seeing how war photography was first used in the Crimean and American Civil Wars, the first conflict to see widespread use of the more user friendly 35mm was the Spanish Civil War, and as many people assert, photography played a huge and invaluable part in raising awareness of the horror of the Vietnam conflict. Ang shows us how the slum photography of Lewis Wickes Hine and Thomas Annan did much to raise awareness of the grinding poverty that many endured in the inner cities around the western world. Also portrayals of travel and adventure photography gave us new access to the greater world out there.
It was the 20th century that saw photography really make a powerful impact. The 1930s is perhaps the decade where things started to get really interesting as this is when some of the more iconic images of the century were captured, in 1936 we had Capa’s falling soldier and then a year later in 1937 we had the Hindenburg disaster. The authenticity of the former is still intensely debated whereas the latter was all too real. And of course this was only a couple of years away from the start of WWII. As the 1900s progressed, magazines like “Harper’s Bazaar” “Vogue” “Life”, “Time” and “Picture Post” took full advantage of what photography had to offer and often these pictures would catapult sales well into the millions at the height of their success.
In the second half of the century, we see how global awareness was raised through the art form with the likes of the “Blue Marble” photograph, made in 1972 from Apollo 17. It soon became a symbol in which conservation movements could use and many photographers would soon join in on the movement, the likes of Edward Burtynsky, Richard Misrach and Sebastiao Salgado would go onto highlight the devastating effects of industrialisation, pollution throughout many parts of the world through their pictures.
I have to say that I was a little shocked and disappointed to see that the incredible career of Don McCullin was reduced to only half a column, tucked away at an A-Z of Photographers section at the back, and this is a book that is nearly 500 pages long, and yet there is not a single one of his powerful photographs shown?...I was also surprised that there was not a single mention of the tragic, Pulitzer Prize winning photographer, Kevin Carter.
Overall this is an ideal guide and overview of the history of photography and should please the expert and amateur equally. It is written in a clear and accessible way that is open to all and it manages to explain without being pretentious or without dumbing down either. There are many superb and outstanding photographs included, though as ever with books of this nature, there will always be surprising omissions, but it is always interesting and thought provoking.
There are a dizzying array of names, techniques, movements and events that have helped make photography what it is today in the 21st Century. There are many profiles all through the book too, showcasing the many talents that have made an impact, from the likes of Cartier-Bresson to Alfred Stieglitz and Man Ray and many, many more.
We learn about some of the early pioneers like Jacques Mande-Daguerre and Henry Fox Talbot, whose negative/positive format would go on to dominate for over 150 years. We see the difference between the daguerreotype and the calotype? Like many new inventions of the era photography was initially a preserve of the select elite and also an opportunity to display status to other elites.
As it grew in popularity, more people in more places started to pay attention and soon countries were keen to record and capture parts of their country for posterity, France took the initial lead with the Rothchilds paying for their possessions and lives to be glorified in print and shown off to the wider world.
We go through all the history and high points, with people like James Clerk Maxwell, the first man to produce a colour photograph to George Eastman’s Box Brownie, which brought in a new age of amateur photography. Like Ford’s T Ford it was relatively affordable to the masses and popularised photography. The vast majority of photographers hail from the likes of the US, the UK, France and Germany but we also get input from other corners of the world like Rodchenko in Russia. Tomatsu in Japan and Manuel Alvarez Bravo in Mexico, as well as many others from Africa, South America and Australia.
There is also a long list of cameras that will be catnip to the enthusiasts, models like the Graflex and later the Auto Graflex, the Leica 1, one of the earliest 35 mm cameras. There was the iconic Kodachrome, the Nikon F, which not only changed the photography game, but also did much to help rebuild Post War Japan. There was the Rolleiflex. Then Edwin Land’s Polaroid SX-70 (as favoured by a certain Andy Warhol). We even get the inclusion of the I Phone 3GS and the Hubble Space Telescope, which at a cost of $2.5 billion is the most expensive camera ever made.
We get a highly informative background into many branches of the art. Seeing how war photography was first used in the Crimean and American Civil Wars, the first conflict to see widespread use of the more user friendly 35mm was the Spanish Civil War, and as many people assert, photography played a huge and invaluable part in raising awareness of the horror of the Vietnam conflict. Ang shows us how the slum photography of Lewis Wickes Hine and Thomas Annan did much to raise awareness of the grinding poverty that many endured in the inner cities around the western world. Also portrayals of travel and adventure photography gave us new access to the greater world out there.
It was the 20th century that saw photography really make a powerful impact. The 1930s is perhaps the decade where things started to get really interesting as this is when some of the more iconic images of the century were captured, in 1936 we had Capa’s falling soldier and then a year later in 1937 we had the Hindenburg disaster. The authenticity of the former is still intensely debated whereas the latter was all too real. And of course this was only a couple of years away from the start of WWII. As the 1900s progressed, magazines like “Harper’s Bazaar” “Vogue” “Life”, “Time” and “Picture Post” took full advantage of what photography had to offer and often these pictures would catapult sales well into the millions at the height of their success.
In the second half of the century, we see how global awareness was raised through the art form with the likes of the “Blue Marble” photograph, made in 1972 from Apollo 17. It soon became a symbol in which conservation movements could use and many photographers would soon join in on the movement, the likes of Edward Burtynsky, Richard Misrach and Sebastiao Salgado would go onto highlight the devastating effects of industrialisation, pollution throughout many parts of the world through their pictures.
I have to say that I was a little shocked and disappointed to see that the incredible career of Don McCullin was reduced to only half a column, tucked away at an A-Z of Photographers section at the back, and this is a book that is nearly 500 pages long, and yet there is not a single one of his powerful photographs shown?...I was also surprised that there was not a single mention of the tragic, Pulitzer Prize winning photographer, Kevin Carter.
Overall this is an ideal guide and overview of the history of photography and should please the expert and amateur equally. It is written in a clear and accessible way that is open to all and it manages to explain without being pretentious or without dumbing down either. There are many superb and outstanding photographs included, though as ever with books of this nature, there will always be surprising omissions, but it is always interesting and thought provoking.
December 25, 2022
When you see "DK" on the outside you know something good is on the inside.
At first glance, this looks like a coffee table book. My coffee table would give up the cat for this book.
Many Photography books usually focus on the authors/editor's favorite people or subjects. These are good but you always find something missing. This book however only sorted by time has just about every popular picture you could think of. Unlike just a coffee table book we get pretty in-depth information on the photos, photographic methods, the photographers, and the subject of the photos.
If you have any favorites there is a good chance you will time them. There is a better chance that you will find new favorites. One of mine is under the heading of China's new wave there is a picture of a library that makes me feel at home.
It comes with a glossary and index.
At first glance, this looks like a coffee table book. My coffee table would give up the cat for this book.
Many Photography books usually focus on the authors/editor's favorite people or subjects. These are good but you always find something missing. This book however only sorted by time has just about every popular picture you could think of. Unlike just a coffee table book we get pretty in-depth information on the photos, photographic methods, the photographers, and the subject of the photos.
If you have any favorites there is a good chance you will time them. There is a better chance that you will find new favorites. One of mine is under the heading of China's new wave there is a picture of a library that makes me feel at home.
It comes with a glossary and index.
April 12, 2018
This was a bargain book at Barnes & Noble. I thank my lucky stars that I was blessed with this book basically being 95% off a $50.00 retail book. But don't let the price drop fool you. This book is worth every penny, even at full cost. This book is simply awesome! It took me about a month to read the entire book because I kept coming across interesting facts as I read. That would spin me off on hours of outside Google research. Upon which time I would say to myself: "Ok, ok. Now get back to the book." And this process would repeat itself over and over again.
From how photography started, was hated at first, the birth of propaganda, paparazzi and the modern motion picture. I was stunned at what I didn't know about this subject and I am an avid fan of photography. It's just loaded with great pictures and the right blend of history, fact, art, science and truth. Photography is every where these days and changing so much more with the camera phone. It's estimated that in the year 2017, the world's cell phones produced (roughly, estimating, guessing!) 14 TRILLION photo's.
Yeah.
Think. About. That.
There is so much to learn in this book and if you are even remotely interested in photography, pick up this book immediately. You will enjoy it and have fun with it!!
From how photography started, was hated at first, the birth of propaganda, paparazzi and the modern motion picture. I was stunned at what I didn't know about this subject and I am an avid fan of photography. It's just loaded with great pictures and the right blend of history, fact, art, science and truth. Photography is every where these days and changing so much more with the camera phone. It's estimated that in the year 2017, the world's cell phones produced (roughly, estimating, guessing!) 14 TRILLION photo's.
Yeah.
Think. About. That.
There is so much to learn in this book and if you are even remotely interested in photography, pick up this book immediately. You will enjoy it and have fun with it!!
September 4, 2021
This book is so entirely comprehensive, it is the complete compendium of all things there are to learn about photography.
Much more than a coffee table book, this reference book is a wealth of knowledge and insight into the world of photography, accompanied by some of the most profound photos.
It provides an entire history of photography, from the first conceptualisation of the photograph, following it as it broke away from painting and established itself as an art form in it’s own right, through to its usefulness as a wartime and ecological reporting tool, to moon landings and space photography then propelling itself forward to modern day smart phone usage making us all civilian journalists and artists.
I discovered some awe-inspiring photographers from reading this book and have now photography book upon photography book crowding up my future-book-wishlist.
The photo I was most captivated by far was Hell from Heaven by Akintunde Akinleye which I’ve included below. Felt very serendipitous coming across this having just finished Naomi Klein’s 'No Logo' yesterday. The world sure does work in mysterious ways.
Much more than a coffee table book, this reference book is a wealth of knowledge and insight into the world of photography, accompanied by some of the most profound photos.
It provides an entire history of photography, from the first conceptualisation of the photograph, following it as it broke away from painting and established itself as an art form in it’s own right, through to its usefulness as a wartime and ecological reporting tool, to moon landings and space photography then propelling itself forward to modern day smart phone usage making us all civilian journalists and artists.
I discovered some awe-inspiring photographers from reading this book and have now photography book upon photography book crowding up my future-book-wishlist.
The photo I was most captivated by far was Hell from Heaven by Akintunde Akinleye which I’ve included below. Felt very serendipitous coming across this having just finished Naomi Klein’s 'No Logo' yesterday. The world sure does work in mysterious ways.
December 24, 2021
My absolute most favourite reference book of all time. This treasure trove is what got me into photography, something that has truly enriched my life. Ang goes from the earliest instances of the camera obscura all the way up to the future possibilities of digital photographic art. After reading this book from cover to cover, it all just switched in my head, and I "got" what photography was about. I was straight on to "Eggleston's Guide," "Subway" and "American Surfaces" after this!
July 23, 2024
This book is fascinating for understanding the evolution of photography, from its origins to its modern application. It is a very diverse book offering an almost technical view of this art. To leaf through to better understand what makes up this fascinating medium.
Key takeaways:
It's easy to take a photo with a phone without questioning where photography really came from, but in this book I learned new perspectives. I also appreciate the historical and social context of “old” photos much better.
Key takeaways:
It's easy to take a photo with a phone without questioning where photography really came from, but in this book I learned new perspectives. I also appreciate the historical and social context of “old” photos much better.
April 25, 2019
This book is a must read for photographers. It’s modern and written in a snarky and biased tone but in the best way. I am so inspired and I am actually a much better photographer now after reading it!
December 17, 2024
An excellent book telling the story of the origins and development of photography in the past two centuries. Obviously richly illustrated, it covers both technology and artistry, with plenty of portraits of photographers and analysis of their work.
April 4, 2019
Great book with focus on movements, photographers, equipment, and subjects. Breakdown of iconic shots. Large format with beautiful plates.
April 23, 2020
This was a surprisingly good gift! An incredible book that took me an year to go through, but I will be coming back to from time to time.
August 8, 2023
I like taking photographs this is good for the creative you
January 29, 2024
A fascinating trip through time and the evolution of photography, it's direct influences and influencers. A terrific read that combines history with the art of photography.
April 2, 2024
kinda mid but had drawings and got the job done for a skool project. the book is HUGE but its mostly photos
July 26, 2024
It is an informative book about photography. I deduct one point for overusing the snobbish word “juxtapose” every few pages.
December 2, 2024
Ottima infarinatura sulla storia della fotografia ma niente di più.
December 13, 2025
Fascinating narrative and exceptional photos
December 14, 2025
Beautiful and my first experience with DK books. Reading this I was thinking they’d be quick blurbs but I actually love how the chronological order progressed.
February 14, 2017
A beautiful book with great "coffee table" value. One I love to browse and which makes for great conversation.
January 7, 2015
DK rarely prints anything that disappoints. This is a delicious table-sized book meant for sipping. It would make a nice gift for someone who is a photographer or camera-wielding enthusiast. The changes in cameras, lens and even subject ideas for photo-taking is richly depicted. The writing is easy to understand for laypeople. However, I believe it is the images Tom Ang selected that really draws a person into the book. A little of something for everyone to enjoy!
December 18, 2014
An excellent book to pick up when you have just enough downtime to read something interesting, but not enough time to get sucked into something completely. Its near perfect balance of text to high quality imagery on every page is a huge plus, and as the title implies, it covers essentially the whole range of photographic history.
November 17, 2015
A picture says a thousand words, or so goes the idiom, and the sweep of recent history enforces this notion -- stories have been told through the camera lens for the preceding two centuries and that is only increasing now with the ubiquity of social media and the accessibility of modern digital photography.
Full Review: http://ow.ly/UMan5
Full Review: http://ow.ly/UMan5
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November 24, 2014"Visually the book is stunning, showing many of the best photographs, and giving a brief biography of the creators of these images."
Read more here.
Read more here.
January 30, 2015
I loved reading through this book and seeing so many photos that illustrate the history of photography, the development of various technologies, and the work of famous photographers along the way. I would never buy it or own it as there was small bit of nudity in it.
March 20, 2016
Finally finished this beautiful book that brought me back to some amazing photos I have admired and a few I have re-created myself. I made a list of photographers I want to read more about so I can discover or rediscover their great works.
December 7, 2014
Complete and well-researched book, nicely put together.
January 30, 2015
Absolutely stunning book with a wealth of information presented in a visually powerful format.
April 14, 2015
So good!
September 20, 2015
Really impressive book. Large, with great visuals. Lots of iconic, world-class photos, and fairly thorough explanation of the history of photography.
June 29, 2021
Bellissimo coffee table book con immagini emozionanti e reference complete. Traduzione in italiano imbarazzante e anacronistica.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews