Seizing the Light: A History of Photography

by Robert Hirsch

"Its chief virtues are a succinct, mostly lucid style, a wide intellectual scope, a flood of ideas and insights at every turn, sensitivity to the technology and culture of photography, and a willingness to attend to images . . . In the end, perhaps the best measure of a text is whether or not one would choose it from among all the offerings to use in class. I have chosen to use this book." - Photo Review, Spring 2000

. . "An excellent introductory history book." - Afterimage: The Journal of Media Arts and Cultural Criticism.

. In this wonderful and entertaining book, Hirsch has produced the most useful, readable, and practical successor to Newhall. Seizing the Light is written in a friendly, accessible way -- dense with information, but more hip and lively than other offerings, especially those aimed at college students." - exposure: The research journal of the Society for Photographic Education. Vol. 32.2 (Fall, 1999)

. . Hirsch's prose is very digestible. He writes in a clear, lively style with a minimum of jargon." - Views: the newsletter of the Visual Material Section of the Society of American Archivists.

. Science, culture, and art come together in this comprehensive history of photography. With superlative production values, rare and unusual prints, and a fresh perspective, Robert Hirsch has written the ideal companion to the first 200 years of photography..

Genres: Photography, Art, History, Art History, Textbooks, Nonfiction, Reference

528 pages, Paperback

First published October 22, 1998

Reviews

[Tasha-Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to buy this book for my History of Photography class in college...and it is my favourite photography book by FAR. Ive picked it up again because we never did read the ENTIRE thing and I want to read it all over again...it will be just a casual "pick up when bored or want something different" kinda book :)

[Amanda Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the updated 3rd edition to this book.
This was an assigned textbook for a History of Photography class & normally with assigned reading I’ll skim or pick through just to find what I’m looking for. But this book was so interesting and well-written that I read every word! I learned so much & I’m disappointed that I rented this book instead of buying it, therefore I have to return it. It gave a great overview of not just the history of photography itself, but how photography affected culture and society as well as how what goes on in the world affects photography. Not just technologically, but the styles that become popular in different time periods.

My only complaint with this book is that sometimes it could be a little more succinct. It takes waaaaay too long and way too many words to get the point across. I found that all throughout the book. But the material within it is useful and interesting. Hard to believe I actually loved a textbook.

[Andrea Ces · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was for my Photo History class so I didn't actually read the whole thing, just a couple chapters to have a broad idea of the photography development over the rears.

[Edward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great overview of the field even if a little dated. The listing of historic photographers is extensive and valuable.

[Gracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun read!

[Ben Gallman]

This was an exhausting read. I learned a lot from it. I did not, however, enjoy it from around the 1950's on. Hirsch got to bogged down, seemed like he had too many personal gripes. It felt out of place after such a dense analysis of photo history.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than other books I"ve read of the same genre. They tend to be bbland by nature but this one kept me interested. I loved the photos they included ...

[Danica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a textbook. A broad overview of photography. It's dry and skims over a lot of stuff, but... it's a textbook. Impossible to carry around. Lots of names.

[Thomas.harrop · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this many times. It is one of the best books available on the history of photography.

[Mills College Library]

770 H6693 2017