Forumeeers, Thanks to all who have responded thus far to my plea for ideas to learn the history of the photograph as art. It is indeed a huge field, but we all need someplace to start. My own way of learning is to start with a book. So I will be getting Rosenblum's History. A book is almost necessary when starting from scratch. It is not the true start of the subject, nor is it the end or the whole of the subject. But a book has a depth and continuity not found on the Web. As Rayfield so aptly pointed out, a book also has a bibliography. That is a much valued asset. The Web is generally a poor source for learning a subject from scratch, although it is a good place to amplify a singular question. Most Web sites are pretty shallow and they are generally limited to one subject only. Talbot's suggestion (http://www.arklo.com/st1photohistory.htm) seemed like an interesting site, but there are no images to view and although there is a biblography, the site is not designed to teach in depth, but only to outline. Stempel's suggestions concerning Steichen and Steiglitz are good, but they are too isolated. (I will check out Adams' book, however.) I may take a course someday in the history of art or the history of photography, but a course has limitations also. The advantages are that a college course is an audio/visual experience. The downside is that you have to learn what is presented in order to pass the course. If you become interested in a specific topic (a particular photographer, a certain era, etc.), you do not have the time to dwell on it. You must go on to the next subject along with the instructor. The advantage of a course is that you get a place to start, and a place to talk. I suspect that is necessary to really understand, as opposed to just reading a book. A book presents a good place to start. If I find something I want to know more about, I can Google it or check the bibliography. I can start and stop as I please. I can meander around the chapters in any way I want. It is a good place for someone not pursuing a degree to start. But no book is the end. Again, thanks to all who have made suggestions. I am open for more. peace and pixels, rand
