Helmut Gernsheim | A Concise History of Photography

This is a classic. Published in 1965, 1971, and 1986—I’m not sure if there were any other editions. It is divided into two approaches—one technical and the other artistic—and uses them to trace the history of photography from its invention through the postwar period. Interestingly, in both cases, it organizes the chronological narrative by processes such as photography on metal, paper, or glass—that is, the technical processes. It may seem strange at first glance, but it’s a very interesting read. If photography fits well in this realm between technology and culture, Gernsheim offers many insights into how one influences and is influenced by the other.