A Companion to Photography

The study of photography has never been more important. A look at today’s digital world reveals that a greater number of photographs are being taken each day than at any other moment in history. Countless photographs are disseminated instantly online. And more and more photographic images are earning prominent positions—and garnering record prices—in the rarefied realm of top art galleries. Reflecting this dramatic increase in all things photographic, A Companion to Photography presents a comprehensive collection of original essays that explore a variety of key areas of current debate relating to the state of photography in the 21st–century. Essays are grouped and organized in themed sections—including photographic interpretation, markets, popular photography, documents, and fine art – and provide comprehensive coverage of the subject. Representing a diversity of approaches, essays are written by both established and emerging photographers and scholars, as well as various experts in their respective areas. A Companion to Photography offers scholars and professional photographers alike an essential and up–to–date resource that brings the study of contemporary photography into clear focus.

Stephen Bull is Course Leader for BA (Hons) Photography at the University of Brighton, UK. He is the author of Photography (2010), and has contributed essays to books including, Fifty Key Writers on Photography (2012) and Where Are The People?: Contemporary Photographs of Belfast 2002–2010 (2010).