The Short Story of Photography

This meticulous history of photography is organized around genres, themes, and techniques and also includes 50 beautifully reproduced, chronologically arranged major works. The book is easy to navigate, with a running index at the bottom of each page that points readers to other relevant elements. For example, Alfred Stieglitz's "The Steerage" is listed as an example of documentary photography, straight photography technique, and photography about poverty or class. Teens can read this volume from cover to cover or browse. They might not be too surprised by the images chosen, but the familiarity of the entries will help them grasp the concepts. Though Smith tackles difficult subjects such as death, violence, and war, it's never gratuitous. Sexuality and nudity are minimal. Controversial pieces, such as Andres Serrano's "Piss Christ," are included, and the author offers a brief discussion addressing the artists' and naysayers' points of view.