Seizing the light: A history of photography: Robert Hirsch

Published by McGraw Hill

Date Published: 10/1999

ISBN: 0697143619

This book tackles a huge subject. The result is a bit daunting

from the sheer amount of material. The book has a

scholarly feeling to it since the material is extensively researched

and gives tons of references. It is thoughtfully organized,

though I don't feel this work reprents is the best model in which to

parse the history of photography. What is interesting however is the

effort in which the author puts into documenting the unique

contribution of each photographer in the field and its relation to

that of others. The fact that the author does this for

seemingly EVERY photographer of any significance is impressive.

Yes, dozens and dozens and

dozens of them. Perhaps the weak point of the book is that it

feels a bit like an endless parade of photographer descriptions

strung in together with a light historical narrative. The book is

copiously illustrated (almost one photo per photographer).

The book is solidly indexed and referenced.