The Photograph as Contemporary Art

Photography isn’t just capturing a moment, it’s a way of thinking, questioning, and creating.

The Photograph as Contemporary Art by Charlotte Cotton is a must-read guide for anyone curious about how photography has evolved into one of today’s most dynamic and thought-provoking art forms. Blending accessible writing with striking visuals, this book explores how contemporary photographers go beyond documentation to challenge ideas, tell stories, and reflect on society, identity, and culture.

Organized around key themes such as storytelling, portraiture, documentary, and the manipulation of reality, Cotton introduces readers to influential photographers and groundbreaking works from the 1980s to the present. Artists like Cindy Sherman, Andreas Gursky, and Jeff Wall are spotlighted alongside rising talents, giving readers a broad understanding of photography’s place in the modern art world.