With a brand-new approach, this book presents photography in all its main forms of experience, in order to illustrate the unique characteristics of this accessible and globally attractive medium. Placed chronologically, legendary photographs are discussed alongside photographic albums representing a significant contribution to photography, as well as major exhibitions that marked a shift in thinking, values, and approach. In art history, specific works are typically referred to as examples of specific styles; here the photographs are given as indicative of artistic movements, which often developed precisely because of these examples. Among the works included are many that have exerted a profound influence around the world, bypassing or at least blunting the usual European-American emphasis. This guide is a comprehensive and diverse narrative of the contributions of photographers from around the world, from the birth of photography to the present day. With stunning reproductions throughout the book, with brief essays and key references on each work by the widely acclaimed academic and photography expert David Bate, this title is expected to become one of the definitive references on the subject and will appeal not only to readers seeking an introduction but also to those who are more familiar with the medium.