Behind the Camera: American Women Photographers Who Shaped How We See the World

(Paperback)

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Description

Every day millions of people around the world use cell phones to document their daily lives. They photograph important moments and create visual reminders of holidays, trips, and visits, or record natural phenomena like rainbows, sunsets, eclipses, full moons, and autumn leaves. Then they post these photographs to social media outlets like Facebook, Snapchat, or Instagram.

But what if (as was true a hundred years ago), in order to create a photograph, you needed 50-100 pounds of very expensive equipment, including a giant camera and metal or glass plates instead of film What if you couldn't send those plates out to a lab, but had to develop them yourself with special chemicals in a darkened room What if the people whose pictures you wanted to capture had to sit for long stretches without moving And what if travelling around to document historical events or important people was considered 'man's work' These were the conditions for making high-quality photographs from the time the camera was invented in 1839, well into the 20th century.

Each of the women in this series stepped out of the bounds of physical and social expectations to pursue her personal vision through photography. Some were fortunate to have come from wealthy families who fostered their interests. Others had to make their way by supporting themselves, or they found encouragement from other, more established photographers. All were pioneers in extending the scope of making photographs, whether as an art form, a tool for recording, or as a commercial resource. Some were better known for portraiture; others for documenting poverty and hardship, the horrors of war, or the lives of marginal people. Various women found joy in photographing the buildings and bustle of city life, including that of recent immigrants while some explored the vast terrain and Native American culture of the American Southwest. Several dedicated their lives to the historic preservation of buildings and culture of the South. Some devoted themselves to nature through their own personal and spiritual connection with the landscape. Many chose to avoid or leave behind the comforts of married life at a time when marriage provided the primary source of financial security for a woman. All surmounted whatever challenges they encountered in order to pursue their dreams.

Reviews

"A timely, well-crafted and sensitive tribute to sixteen women photographers of the late nineteenth century up to the present. The powerful and creative collection of images presented here is further complemented by the individual life stories of each of these photographers and their personal sacrifices to create this slice of history. This is authentic and clearly relevant in these current times and an important read and visual resource of history through the lens of women driven to make a difference." - Karen A. Hummel, fine artist and educator
"Behind the Camera: American Women Photographers Who Shaped How We See the World opens doors on history, opening eyes and hearts as it does. Cover to cover, every well written biography in it is an adventure! In a culture that tends to leave out significant women in art's history, here is a rich description of gifted women who brought photography forward both in technical skill and in artistic merit. It's a very moving journey through to the end of the book: the women portrayed followed their dreams in an astonishing way, defying all the 'norms' of their days in early photography. Young people, young women in particular, will feel genuinely inspired to know of these focused, inspired, and inspiring photographers. Imagine learning of sixteen women, some of whom lived well into the twentieth century, who abandoned all customs of their day to bring this brand-new art form to the world! The book is wonderfully accessible without ever being condescending. The many photographs, a total of 82, carry the reader along like a magic spell. It's hard to stop reading, and looking, and feeling the depth of the vision of each of these geniuses. In the early days of adolescence, youngsters need heroes to inspire them and beauty to surround them. This book gives them both!" - Patrice Maynard, Waldorf teacher and publisher
"Maria Ausherman's compilation of 16 pioneering women photographers is a joy to read for anyone interested in our visual history. One life story weaves into the next, with the dominant thread being each woman's willingness to reject social norms and take huge risks in pursuit of her work. This is a beautiful tribute to the famous and not-so-well known women photographers who came before us." -Elise Amendola, Associated Press photojournalist

Author Bio

Maria Ausherman is the author of The Photographic Legacy of Frances Benjamin Johnston and co-author with Patricia Jennings of Georgia OKeeffes Hawaii.