Now enlarged and updated, this introduction to great and famous women photographers from the 19th century to today features striking works of 60 artists, along with in-depth biographical and critical assessments.

Since the inception of photography as an art form nearly two hundred years ago, women have played an important role in the development of the genre, often pushing boundaries and defying social convention.

This comprehensive volume features sixty of the most important women photographers—including, new to this edition, Annette Kelm, Miho Kajioka, and Ming Smith.

Every artistic style and genre is represented here: moody and haunting portraits by Julia Margaret Cameron and Diane Arbus; highly personal images from Nan Goldin and Sally Mann; world- changing documentary photographs by Dorothea Lange and Berenice Abbot; scenes of everyday life from Lisette Model and Helen Levitt; fashion shoots from Lillian Bassman and Ellen von Unwerth.

Splendid reproductions of key works and an in-depth overview of each artist’s career and their contributions to the art of photography are featured along with biographical information and a contextual essay focusing on the impact of women in the history of the medium, which makes this an excellent illustrated reference.