Women’s excellence has always been overlooked and neglected in every field. When it is recognized, it rarely trickles down into the education system or is passed on to the next generation. The battle to be seen as more than their biology and sex is fought on a daily basis in every institution they are a part of. Perhaps the most challenging struggles are those where women must prove that they are at par with men. Numerous such incidents are scattered throughout human history, and photography is no different in that regard. Women photographers have contributed equally, if not more, to shape the medium. However, they are often left behind in history textbooks. But now it seems this is about to change a little. Why? Because of this newly launched book by Laurence King Publishing.
The lead image is courtesy of Laurence King Publishing. Used with permission.
Women Photographers And Their Impact on The Medium
Titled The Women Who Changed Photography, the book highlights the collective efforts of early pioneers and contemporary photographers who have paved the way for the future generation. Gemma Padley, the book’s author, has also written extensively on the medium. Her work has been published in renowned publications such as Foam, Photomonitor, LensCulture, AnOther, British Journal of Photography, and 1000 Words magazine. As someone with in-depth knowledge about the medium, Padley thus ensures the book is a treasured piece.
So, what exactly does the publication include? It focuses on 50 pioneering women photographers and explains their styles and techniques to help readers incorporate them into their own photography. Some of the names included in this exceptional book include stalwarts like Anna Atkins, Imogen Cunningham, Nadine Ijewere, Lee Miller, Shirin Neshat, Lorna Simpson, Cindy Sherman, Zanele Muholi, and Ingrid Pollard. The names tell you exactly how diverse the selection is. There are other elements, too, namely portraits of the photographers and a write-up about their career, accompanied by images they captured. Most striking, perhaps, is how Pedley also provides advice on how readers can honor these pioneers by following their technique. In a way, carrying on their legacy.
A Book on Women Pioneers is The Need of The Hour
Pedley clearly saw the significance of the material, and we do, too. When I was learning photography, I was exposed to works by male photographers. Sure, their work is crucial to the medium, but that does not mean one glosses over the contribution of women. For instance, Anna Atkins holds the title of creating the first ever photobook, titled British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions. Claude Cahun, who came before Cindy Sherman, pioneered performative self-portraiture. Tina Modotti, who created powerful portraits highlighting social and political issues by focusing on her subject’s hands, is another exceptional figure in the medium. However, I did not learn about any of them until I worked for a photography magazine. Do you see the cracks in our education system now?
Unfortunately, women photographers’ contributions seem to be erased from our collective memory. In that regard, a book emphasizing their struggles and mastery is a must today. As photography schools stick to a certain curriculum, conducting lectures on every photographer is nearly impossible. However, schools can give students extra reading material with a book like this. The Women Who Changed Photography has some splendid explanations about the photographers’ work, breaking down their oeuvre to showcase how they made their images. Any student is likely to gain immense knowledge from it. But that is not all. Even if you are a serious enthusiast, you must get a hold of the copy because you gain and learn a lot. In the social media age, we are often not training our brains to think differently. Many of us are following the herd. So, seeing photographs created by women can really change your perspective. Their approach can be far more sensitive, and they get access in places many men aren’t allowed. This distinction alone can change one’s work entirely.
The Women Who Changed Photography is now available for purchase on Laurence King Publishing’s website.
