Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the authors

Marien Mary Warner
Follow
Mary Warner Marien
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Photography: A Cultural History 2nd edition Paperback – 7 Aug. 2006

by Mary Warner Marien (Author)
See all formats and editions

There is a newer edition of this item:

Photography Fifth Edition: A Cultural History
Photography Fifth Edition: A Cultural History
£34.85
(73)
Only 5 left in stock (more on the way).
This is a groundbreaking survey of international photography, which examines the discipline across the full range of its uses by both professionals and amateurs. Each of the eight chapters takes a period of up to forty years and examines the medium through the lenses of art, science, social science, travel, war, fashion, the mass media and individual practitioners.
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    560 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Laurence King Publishing
  4. Publication date
    7 Aug. 2006
  5. Dimensions
    22 x 3.7 x 29.4 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    1856694933
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1856694933
  8. See all details
Next slide of product details

Product description

Review

........ Marien's book is an extensive, up-to-date, factual and critical survey of every aspect of the medium's cultural history,...... -- Art Quarterly

Immensely visual...this is an authoritative and hefty read. -- Amateur Photographer

With a decidedly socio-political slant, the book exposes the agendas behind photographers from Lewis Carroll to Richard Billingham. -- World of Interiors

Review

With a decidedly socio-political slant, the book exposes the agendas behind photographers from Lewis Carroll to Richard Billingham.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Laurence King Publishing; 1st edition (7 Aug. 2006)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 560 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1856694933
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1856694933
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 22 x 3.7 x 29.4 cm
  • Customer reviews:

About the authors

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Previous page
  1. Mary Warner Marien

    Mary Warner Marien

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Mary Warner Marien is the author of several books and hundreds of articles on photographic history, art history, and art criticism. She has taught courses on photography and art, photography and literature, as well as photographic history.

    She is delighted to live in an era when photography and its history are being discovered by new photographers using camera phones and digital cameras.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Marien Mary Warner

    Marien Mary Warner

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

    See more on the author's page
Next page

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
73 global ratings

Top reviews from United Kingdom

Kate
5.0 out of 5 stars There was great photographs as well as background information that was very ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 March 2016
Verified Purchase
This was my go to book during my commercial photography degree. There was great photographs as well as background information that was very much useful.
Helpful
 Report
Roxy
5.0 out of 5 stars History
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 March 2009
Verified Purchase
History for what ever subject is very relaxing to read, and if you study Arts and especially Photography history, this is a book to have and help with writing essays.

Totally recomended
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful, informative and above all PACKED book!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 July 2009
I am a keen photographer and I've been looking for books that say something about the cultural status of photgraphs; their interpretations and meanings; and a discussion of photgraphs as objects of social and cultural change. I bought this book together with Graham Clark's "The Photograph" (also available on Amazon!) hoping that one of these, if not both, would give me something more than the staid and dull 'how to' books that proliferate.

I wasn't prepared for what a HUGE book this is! Bigger than A4, 544 pages of thick, quality paper (the book weighs a ton!) with at least one and usually three-four pictures per facing pair of sides. The quallity of thr reproductions is terrific too.

This is the complete cultural history that I was searching for, right froom the very early days. The first reproduction proper in theh content is Joseph Nicephore Niepce's 8-hour exposure "View from the window at Gras" - that's how far back the book goes.

I like the author's style of writing - she's witty and at times humourous, as well as being confident in her knowledge and passionate about her subject. I like that it's not just a straight-through read - every so often there's a 1 or 2 side special feature on a particular subject - on everything from Lewis Carroll's prediliction for photographing children (especially Alice) to taking pictures of atomic explosions.

It's easily academic enough to be a reference work at least at undergrad level and probably more, and not just in art and photography-related disciplines - this would easily be a great benefit to someone looking at (for example) cultural studies. It's as much a discussion about the changing face of society as it is photography. It's difficult not to be moved by the pictures of girls as young as 8-9 working full-time in factories.

A great reference book, a terrific coffee table book, inspiration and theory for photographers - and at Amazon it's more than a tenner off cover price.
25 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Ruud
4.0 out of 5 stars O. K. But I didn't have time to ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 June 2015
Verified Purchase
O.K. But I didn't have time to read the complete book yet.
Helpful
 Report
boris
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 August 2014
good
Helpful
 Report
Dummyrun
4.0 out of 5 stars Really engaging modern history with a dose of photography
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 September 2010
This book follows the course of history from a photographical perspective from about 1800 to the current. I guess due to the immediacy of photography, and the fact that a picture is more believable than a historical account, this book has a greater appeal to me than other history books I have read. Photographic history is intertwined with a cultural context, across the globe. Its quite an inspiring book, and several books have been added to my Amazon wish list as a result of reading this, from photographic stuff like "Family of Man" to culturally important books like "Lonely Crowd". Some of it is really well written, summarising historical context succinctly for someone like me with the attention span of a peanut. My only complaint would be that there is no mention of technical photographic progress, beyond the initial invention of the camera...for instance the importance of the SLR and Nikon F cameras for Vietnam might have been an idea...I guess the author is a historian with an appreciation for looking at photos, rather than for taking photos.
6 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
chanelle
5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth reading.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 July 2021
Verified Purchase
Good content. Well recommended and book in good condition.
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Yesenia Hernandez
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good!
Reviewed in the United States on 18 February 2024
Verified Purchase
So much that I learned about photography and art, great book!
Report
Doctor Donna
5.0 out of 5 stars Great reference book
Reviewed in Canada on 5 March 2019
Verified Purchase
I bought this when my school book shop ran out. Paid way too much for it to arrive after exams. Ah well. Student life. Still a good reference book.
Report
Sanjid Anik
5.0 out of 5 stars A good collection
Reviewed in Canada on 4 December 2012
Verified Purchase
If you are a photographer or photo enthusiast, you should have this book in your collection. Brief cultural history !!
Report
SunshineRainbows
5.0 out of 5 stars love it!
Reviewed in the United States on 20 October 2011
Verified Purchase
I had to get this for my history of photography class and I love it! It's a great textbook and a coffee table book. I bought the first edition, we use the 4th (I believe) in class so I thought I had to return it.. turns out the instructor said it's not much of a difference so I'm glad I got to keep it! Price was much more affordable then the college book store. Seller worked very very well with me. Quick and easy delivery!
One person found this helpful
 Report
Christie
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Photography Book!
Reviewed in the United States on 1 December 2018
Verified Purchase
Just love this Photography book! It is definitely worthy of being added to any Photographer's collection!
Report