Photography Until Now

Photography Until Now traces the technical and artistic development of photography from its invention through the late 20th century. The book was published in 1989 to accompany a major exhibition at The Museum of Modern Art in New York. Szarkowski examines the key technological advances that shaped photography's evolution, from the daguerreotype to digital imaging. His analysis connects these technical innovations to changes in artistic expression and cultural impact across different eras. Through a selection of 275 photographs and detailed historical context, the book documents how photography transformed from a specialized technical process to a universal medium. The narrative covers both well-known masters and lesser-known figures who contributed to photography's advancement. The work argues that photography's dual nature as both art and technology created unique tensions that defined its development. This perspective frames photography as a medium that consistently challenged traditional definitions of artistic creation.

Readers value the book's thorough examination of photography's technical evolution and its impact on artistic styles. Many note Szarkowski's clear explanations of complex photographic processes and his selection of illustrative images. Readers appreciate: - Clear connections between technological changes and artistic choices - Quality of image reproductions - Focus on both artistic and documentary photography Common criticisms: - Dense, academic writing style - Limited coverage of contemporary photographers - Euro-centric perspective - High price point for a paperback Several readers mention the book works better as a reference than a cover-to-cover read. One reader noted "you need serious patience to get through some sections." Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (12 reviews) LibraryThing: 4.0/5 (8 ratings) The book appears in many photography course syllabi and reading lists, though students often describe it as "challenging" and "not for beginners."

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📸 John Szarkowski served as the Director of Photography at New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) for 29 years, fundamentally shaping how museums approach photography as an art form. 📸 The book, published in 1989, coincided with a major exhibition of the same name at MoMA, showcasing 250 photographs that traced photography's technical and artistic evolution. 📸 Szarkowski's writing style in "Photography Until Now" broke from traditional art criticism by emphasizing the medium's technical developments alongside its artistic achievements, treating both as equally important to photography's history. 📸 The author was not just a curator and critic but also an accomplished photographer himself, giving him unique insight into both the technical and artistic aspects of photography that he discusses in the book. 📸 The book challenges the conventional separation between amateur and professional photography, arguing that some of the most significant innovations in photographic history came from amateur experimenters rather than established professionals.