Behind the Camera - by Maria Ausherman (Paperback)

About the Book

Each of the women in this series stepped out of the bounds of physical and social expectations to pursue her personal vision through photography. Some were fortunate to have come from wealthy families who fostered their interests. Others had to make their way by supporting themselves, or they found encouragement from other, more established photographers.00Many chose to avoid or leave behind the comforts of married life at a time when marriage provided the primary source of financial security for a woman. Each of them surmounted the challenges they encountered in order to pursue their dreams. I hope their true stories inspire you, and I invite you to continue documenting and recording whatever is most important in your life through the ever-evolving tool of photography, just as these women did before you.

Book Synopsis

Each of the women in this series stepped out of the bounds of physical and social expectations to pursue her personal vision through photography. Some were fortunate to have come from wealthy families who fostered their interests. Others had to make their way by supporting themselves, or they found encouragement from other, more established photographers.

Many chose to avoid or leave behind the comforts of married life at a time when marriage provided the primary source of financial security for a woman. Each of them surmounted the challenges they encountered in order to pursue their dreams. I hope their true stories inspire you, and I invite you to continue documenting and recording whatever is most important in your life through the ever-evolving tool of photography, just as these women did before you.

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Gertrude Kasebier (1852-1934)
Frances Benjamin Johnston (1864-1952)
Alice Austen (1866-1952)
Zaida Ben-Yusuf (1869-1933)
Anne Brigman (1869-1950)
Jessie Tarbox Beals (1870-1942)
Bayard Wootten (1875-1959)
Doris Ulmann (1882-1934)
Imogen Cunningham (1883-1976)
Elise Forrest Harleston (1891-1970)
Laura Gilpin (1891-1979)
Dorothea Lange (1895-1965)
Berenice Abbott (1898-1991)
Margaret Bourke-White (1904-1971)
Helen Levitt (1913-2009)
Carrie Mae Weems (b. 1953)

Review Quotes

"A timely, well-crafted and sensitive tribute to sixteen women photographers of the late nineteenth century up to the present. The powerful and creative collection of images presented here is further complemented by the individual life stories of each of these photographers and their personal sacrifices to create this slice of history. This is authentic and clearly relevant in these current times and an important read and visual resource of history through the lens of women driven to make a difference." - Karen A. Hummel, fine artist and educator

"Behind the Camera: American Women Photographers Who Shaped How We See the World opens doors on history, opening eyes and hearts as it does. Cover to cover, every well written biography in it is an adventure! In a culture that tends to leave out significant women in art's history, here is a rich description of gifted women who brought photography forward both in technical skill and in artistic merit. It's a very moving journey through to the end of the book: the women portrayed followed their dreams in an astonishing way, defying all the 'norms' of their days in early photography. Young people, young women in particular, will feel genuinely inspired to know of these focused, inspired, and inspiring photographers. Imagine learning of sixteen women, some of whom lived well into the twentieth century, who abandoned all customs of their day to bring this brand-new art form to the world! The book is wonderfully accessible without ever being condescending. The many photographs, a total of 82, carry the reader along like a magic spell. It's hard to stop reading, and looking, and feeling the depth of the vision of each of these geniuses. In the early days of adolescence, youngsters need heroes to inspire them and beauty to surround them. This book gives them both!" - Patrice Maynard, Waldorf teacher and publisher

"Maria Ausherman's compilation of 16 pioneering women photographers is a joy to read for anyone interested in our visual history. One life story weaves into the next, with the dominant thread being each woman's willingness to reject social norms and take huge risks in pursuit of her work. This is a beautiful tribute to the famous and not-so-well known women photographers who came before us." -Elise Amendola, Associated Press photojournalist