A new generation, enabled by selfie sticks and social media, is being drawn to photography, and this is the perfect book to inspire and illuminate their appreciation of the full and rich history of this seminal art form and its many genres and techniques.

Award-winning photographer, critic, and educator Paul Lowe presents a carefully curated selection of the greatest still images—visually arresting, aesthetically complex, and historically significant—from the medium’s earliest days to the present. Included are photographs from all over the globe, taken by both female and male photographers: famous iconic images, key signature works by notable photographers, and less familiar images that are nevertheless essential viewing.

From 1850 to the present, from daguerreotype to digital, this book embraces all genres—documentary, portrait, photojournalistic, and more—as it traces the development of photography to the present day. It is organized chronologically with text that accompanies each photograph providing historical context and technical details. Each work is indexed by artist and by title, making it easy to find specific works and the oeuvres of particular photographers throughout the volume. Whether a gift or a self-purchase, this guide to the history and practice of photography is a must for budding amateurs and experienced practitioners alike.