Things: A Spectrum of Photography, 1850-2001

Choice

A delightful and thought–provoking survey.

Library Journal

Haworth-Booth, curator of photographs at London's Victoria and Albert Museum, here showcases 120 color and black-and-white photographs held by his fine institution. Culled from an earlier exhibit, they document photography's ability to transform our physical world and change mundane objects into works of art. Each photograph is accompanied by a caption of about 100 words describing the photographer's work, how the piece fits into the history of photography, and/or commentary about photographic techniques or theories associated with the image or artist. These captions are written either by Victoria and Albert curators, critics, or the artists themselves and are enjoyable to read. Not all of the 90 featured photographers are well known; a few are entirely unknown scientists, reporters, and advertising and editorial photographers. Some of the better-known images come from Edward Weston, Man Ray, Fox Talbot, Diane Arbus, Walker Evans, Irving Penn, and Julia Margaret Cameron. While Things offers a random sampling of images ranging from an ordinary bobby pin to a macabre still life of a skull, the images are intriguing and loosely tied together with well-written text. Recommended for large public and academic libraries with photography collections.-Valerie Nye, New Mexico State Lib., Santa Fe Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.