Conflicting Images: Histories of War Photography in the News

Conflicting Images examines the contribution of photographers and photojournalists to war photography, providing an evaluative appraisal of its development from the nineteenth century to the twenty-first century. It explores diverse genres of war photography across a broad historical sweep, including the Crimean War, Civil War, and the War on Terror. The authors examine changing dynamics of production, dissemination, and public engagement and how current efforts to rethink the future of war photography in a digital age can benefit from a close consideration of its origins, early development, and transformation over the years.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 278 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Conflicting Images: A Critical Examination of War Photography in the News explores the significant role of photographers and photojournalists in capturing and conveying war-related images throughout history. Authored by Stuart Allan and Tom Allbeson, the book delves into a comprehensive examination of diverse genres of war photography, spanning from the Crimean War (1853-56) and the American Civil War (1861-65) to contemporary conflicts in Syria and Ukraine. Through a meticulous analysis of historical events, the authors shed light on the evolving nature of war photography and its impact on visual reporting.

The book reflects on the relevance of different types of warfare to visual reporting, encompassing colonial conquest, trench warfare, aerial bombardment, and the ideological dimensions of the Cold War. It also examines the complexities of embedding and winning hearts and minds during the War on Terror and its aftermath. By providing illustrative examples, the authors examine changing dynamics of production, dissemination, and public engagement.

Through their insightful analysis, the authors argue that a close and careful consideration of war photography's origins, early development, and gradual, uneven transformation over the years can provide valuable insights into the future of war photography in a digital age. Conflicting Images aims to invigorate ongoing inquiries and inspire new, alternative trajectories for future research and practice.

This book is a valuable resource for researchers and advanced students of visual journalism and conflict reporting. It offers a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of war photography's past, present, and potential future, contributing to our understanding of the complex and multifaceted nature of this field.

Weight: 448g
Dimension: 155 x 235 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780415618328