Reflections in Black: A History of Black Photographers, 1840 to the Present [Hardcover]

Deborah Willis (Author), Robin D. G. Kelley (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2000

The first comprehensive history of black American photographers. 600 images that give glimpses of black life from slavery to the great migrations are included. The book is a refutation of the caricature of mainstream photographers who have emphasised despair over hope. Featuring the work of James Presley Ball, C.M. Battey, James VanDerZee, Morgan and Marvin Smith, Gordon Parks, Moneta Sleet, Jr, and Carrie Mae Weems, among hundreds of others.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Willis (curator, Smithsonian!s Center for African American History and Culture) continues enlightening the public about visual representations of African American experiences, work that just won her a MacArthur genius grant. This catalog of a Smithsonian exhibit that will tour America starting this summer should be read in conjunction with her other books on the subject: Black Photographers, 1840$1940: An Illustrated Bio-Bibliography (New Pr., 1992), VanDerZee, Photographer, 1886$1983 (LJ 11/15/93), and Picturing Us: African American Identity in Photography (LJ 12/94). In this more comprehensive book, Willis alternates chronological sections of photographs with essays that discuss the individual photographers and the scope of their work. They range from men and women who operated photography studios and made dignified portraits of the people in their communities, to photojournalists documenting social change, to contemporary artists making creative statements with digital montage techniques. This book certainly should be selected for African American or photography collections, but it could alternatively be put in general American history or social history."Anne Marie Lane, Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Take the time to examine these faces. Make the time to treasure this book. -- BET.com, Barbara Summers

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; 1 edition (June 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393048802
• ISBN-13: 978-0393048803
• Product Dimensions: 12.4 x 9.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #955,104 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scholarly and thrilling, September 20, 2000

By 

Eileen Galen (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reflections in Black: A History of Black Photographers, 1840 to the Present (Hardcover)

This fabulous book deserves all of the praise it has earned. In addition the final chapter, "Photography of the 1980s and 1990s," includes an amazing section of modern art photgraphy, unmatched in any other photography collection in print today. Astonishing and utterly original works of young African American photographers Albert Chong, Pat Ward Williams, Chris Johnson, Terry Boddie, and Calvin Hicks are just a few highlights. In addition, Ms. Willis, a MacArthur Fellow, brings a clear, assured, and scholarly voice to her narration of this wonderful collection. No public or school library can afford to be without this book. The notes and the index are terrific. Also worth mentioning is that the prints are big enough, the paper is top quality, and the color reproduction is excellent. Deserves more than five Amazon stars.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, moving, sterotype-challenging, August 19, 2000

By 

"lakedwellers" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reflections in Black: A History of Black Photographers, 1840 to the Present (Hardcover)

It's difficult to explain the impact of this book. After all, it's a scholarly, historical work. How can it have such a powerful emotional punch? The only explanation is the remarkable effect of seeing African Americans through the eyes of African Americans, an experience so unusual as to be literally shocking. I know I will look through it again and again over the years and see new things every time. Thank you, Deborah Willis, for your wonderful work.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What an extraordinary book!, August 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Reflections in Black: A History of Black Photographers, 1840 to the Present (Hardcover)

This book is groundbreaking. We have seen African Americans mostly through the eyes of white photographers and artists. In this remarkable volume, we see an entire culture through its own eyes, and the view is inspiring, startling, and rewarding. Anyone who is interested in the WHOLE history of the United States should buy this book.