Creative Photography: Aesthetic Trends 1839-1960

The history of photography from the early ages (1830s) to the (then) current times, the late 50's (the book is a reprint from 1962.) The book proceeds chronologically with, for each era, a wealth of photographs. The general feel of the book is more of a history book than an art book, even if some chapters are organized around specific art movements, such as "impressionnistic photography" or "the aesthetic movement." Each movement is well explained in its historical context. An overall good read.

Gernsheim writes a history of photography concerned with aesthetic trends, especially the evolution of visual styles in photography in response to changing styles in painted art, and vice versa. His central argument is that photography is a legitimate art form and ought to have its own standards and mores. This point may have been more controversial in 1961, when the book was first published, but I suspect Gernsheim's insistence dates to an even earlier era, perhaps the 1930s, when the role of photography in art was less settled. Gernshein's contempt for photographic technology is refreshing; this book is the inverse of a typical "buy hot gear!" photo magazine. The book contains many photos, all black and white, reasonably well printed. The cover is very cheap and my copy showed a marked crease after only one reading.