Points of View - Hardback
Points of View brings together, for the first time, a selection of images from the British Library?s unique collections, examining the history, diversity and influence of photography from its invention and early years up to the growth of a popular amateur market in the early 20th century. It includes many of the most celebrated names in 19th- century photography including Francis Frith, Felix Teynard, Samuel Bourne and Peter Henry Emerson, as well as numerous lesser known names who made significant contributions to the medium.
From its beginnings in the 1840s up to the mass democratisation of photography as a widespread leisure pursuit, the development of the medium was swept along by a tide of artistic and entrepreneurial activity that gathered pace throughout the nineteenth century. It has shaped society as both an art form and a social document and played a critical role as the primary means of visual expression in the modern age.
Published to coincide with the major British Library exhibition of the same name (30 October 2009-7 March 2010)
About the Authors
John Falconer is Head of Visual Materials and Curator of Photographs at the British Library. He has curated a number of exhibitions in this field from the British Library?s collections and his publications include: Sail and Steam: Photographs from the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich and India: Pioneering Photographers 1850-1900.
Louise Hide is a social and cultural historian, writer and communications professional, specialising in the 19th century. She is a sessional lecturer at Birkbeck College, University of London.
