The History of Photography: Fifth Edition

by Beaumont Newhall

Book Overview

Since its first publication in 1937, this lucid and scholarly chronicle of the history of photography has been hailed as the classic work on the subject. No other book and no other author have managed to relate the aesthetic evolution of the art of photography to its technical innovations with such an absorbing combination of clarity, scholarship and enthusiasm. Through more than 300 works by such master photographers as William Henry Fox Talbot,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0870703811
• ISBN13: 9780870703812
• Release Date: January 1982
• Publisher: Museum of Modern Art
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 2.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 8.1" x 11.1"

Customer Reviews

Easy Learning

I bought this book for a college class and I intend on keeping it forever. The amount of information is great. Lots of examples of great photography. Great book to get into history in a fun way.

Great Book - Pleasure to read

This could have been dry subject matter, but it was both interesting and useful. As an avid designer that dabbles in photography, I found this to be a great book.

Still an invaluable resource

I can't remember the first time I read this book, decades ago. Although it's quite dated in light of the advancements in digital photography in recent years, this is still the first reference to check for information about the first 140 years of photography. Even with Wikipedia available, this is the book I check for information. I happened to live in Rochester near the end of his time as curator of George Eastman House, and got to see first hand his influence on the medium. Newhall's book will remain on my shelf for as long as I am interested in photography.

Excellent Reference

As a student, I was forced to buy this book during my 2 year tenure at photography school. It remains one of the most comprehensive, detailed and well written references on the history of photography. History books can be a little "dry" to read but this one is exceptionally well written and covers a vast amount of ground in an admirable fashion.

An excellent read

If you're even remotely interested in photography and its development, this book is a wonderful way to learn about it. It details the emergence of all the important photographic processes with just enough technical detail to be interesting and not so much as to be overwhelming. There are many pictures in it that provide examples and show how images changed over the years. It also includes the personal aspects of this history and how photography has affected our culture. The writing is smooth and easy to read. In short, I highly recommend it; you won't be disappointed.