How Photography Became Contemporary Art

By Andy Grundberg,

Book cover of How Photography Became Contemporary Art: Inside an Artistic Revolution from Pop to the Digital Age

Book description

A leading critic's inside story of "the photo boom" during the crucial decades of the 1970s and 80s

"Grundberg . . . is a vibrant, opinionated, authoritative guide to the medium's past and present."-Jackie Wullschlager, Financial Times, "Best Books of 2021: Visual Arts"

When Andy Grundberg landed in New York…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked How Photography Became Contemporary Art as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

As a photography critic for The New York Times, Grundberg was present when a generation of artists began to take apart the photographic image and transform its meaning in society. He wrote about post-modern practice in the present tense, as it was happening. This book is a collection of his reviews and essays from the 1980s when the medium was at a crossroads; the factual veracity of photography was enduring challenges at every turn and the valuation of the photograph as an art object was under critical scrutiny.

From Philip's list on for understanding photography as art.

Want books like How Photography Became Contemporary Art?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like How Photography Became Contemporary Art.

Browse books like How Photography Became Contemporary Art

Book cover of Ways of Seeing
Book cover of Looking at Photographs: 100 Pictures from the Collection of the Museum of Modern Art
Book cover of The Americans

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,188

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in fine art photography, photography, and modern art?

Photography 62 books
Modern Art 30 books