Investigates various aspects of photography - aesthetic, documentary, commercial, and technical and places photos in their historical context. This book explores the diverse roles that photography has played in the communication of ideas. It also devotes attention to topics such as portraiture, documentation, advertising, and photojournalism.

Exploring the diverse roles that photography has played in the communication of ideas, Rosenblum devotes special attention to topics such as portraiture, documentation, advertising, and photojournalism, and to the camera as a means of personal artistic expression. The revised fourth edition includes updates on technical advances as well as a new chapter on contemporary photographers. Armed with the expressive vigor of its images, this thorough and accessible volume will appeal to all.