Photographs impact our view of the world and are a compelling expression of our culture. During this course, participants will see some of the most interesting photographs of the 20th century from examples of the life work of outstanding photographers. The goal is to provide a deeper appreciation for the art of photography and its influence. Questions for discussion include: What is art photography? How is art photography different than photojournalism and documentary photography? What are the stories behind certain photographs? How do some photographs reflect the style of the time as demonstrated in architecture, fashion and fine art?

Participants will see the work of photographers in many different genres who use different techniques depending upon their intentions. During the sessions, we will discuss the impact of such publications as Camera Work, Life Magazine, Vogue, and National Geographic on the photographic arts and on our perception of world events. We will view photographs that illustrate different styles from “pictorialism” to “street photography,” and “modernism” to “photojournalism.” We will discuss the work of photographers from Ansel Adams and Diane Arbus to Garry Winogrand and John Zimmerman.

During the last session, participants will look the work of some controversial photographers. The final segment will focus on photographic manipulation from early days to the recent past. When can the truth be obfuscated by a photograph?