Engaged observers: documentary photography since the sixties

Abstract

"In the decades following World War II, an independently minded and critically engaged form of photography began to gather momentum. Situated between journalism and art, its practitioners created extended photographic essays to delve deeply into humanistic topics and present distinct personal visions of the world." "Engaged Observers: Documentary Photography since the Sixties looks in depth at projects by a selection of the most vital photographers who have contributed to the development of this documentary approach. Passionately committed to their subjects, these photographers have captured both meditative and searing images, from the Deep South in the Civil Rights era to the war in Iraq in 2006. Their powerful visual reports, often published extensively as books, explore aspects of life that are sometimes difficult and troubling but are worthy of---even demand---our attention." "Engaged Observers presents more than 150 photographs by these distinguished artists, with an introduction and biographical essays by Brett Abbott, Associate Curator of Photographs at the J. Paul Getty Museum."--BOOK JACKET.

Contents

Foreword / David Bomford -- Acknowledgments / Brett Abbott -- Engaged Observers in Context / Brett Abbott -- The Photographers -- Black in White America / Leonard Freed -- Vietnam Inc. / Philip Jones Griffiths -- Minamata / Aileen M. Smith -- Nicaragua, June 1978-July 1979 / Susan Meiselas -- Streetwise / Mary Ellen Mark -- Fast Forward and Girl Culture / Lauren Greenfield -- The Mennonites / Larry Towell -- Migrations / Sebastiao Salgado -- The Sacrifice / James Nachtwey.