Inside the photograph : writings on twentieth-century photography /

Bunnell (emer., Princeton Univ.), in 34 essays about 31 photographers and three galleries, spans the years from 1974 to 2003, representing 30 key years in the evolution of photographic criticism. The essays range chronologically from Alfred Stieglitz and the Photo-Secession through Aaron Siskind, Minor White, and Harry Callahan to Jerry Uelsmann, John Pfahl, Michael Kenna, and Kevin Ito. Each essay is beautifully written--concise, condensed, and clear. Bunnell's emphasis throughout is on "reading" photographs by photographers categorized as "art" photographers. The introductory foreword by Malcolm Daniel is an excellent introduction to the author and the essays. Initially trained as a photographer, Bunnell shifted his attention to art history and worked as both a professor of photography and curator at Princeton's Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This pleasurable, informative volume is an asset to any collection of photographic literature. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels. S. Spencer North Carolina State University