Snapshot Stories: Visuality, Photography, and the Social History of Ireland, 1922-2000

During the twentieth century, Irish men and women used photography to explore their sense of self and society, revealing a more complex and diverse image of Ireland. Erika Hanna's book, Snapshot Stories, examines a diverse array of photographic sources, including family photograph albums, studio portraits, and the work of photography clubs and community photography initiatives. It explores how conflicts regarding vision and visuality have repeatedly been at the centre of Irish life.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 06 February 2020
Publisher: Oxford University Press

During the twentieth century, men and women across Ireland embraced cameras, capturing the essence of their daily lives, including leisurely beach outings, picturesque cityscapes, and political events as they unfolded. While foreign photographers often portrayed Ireland as a quaint rural idyll, Irish photographers, both amateur and professional, sought to unveil a more nuanced and diverse portrayal of their homeland. Snapshot Stories delves into these captivating stories. Erika Hanna explores a diverse range of photographic sources, including family photograph albums, studio portraits, the output of photography clubs and community photography initiatives, as well as the images captured by individuals who ventured into the streets to document violence and poverty. The volume showcases how Irish men and women employed photography as a means to explore their sense of self and society, shedding light on how we can utilize these images to enrich our understanding of Ireland's social history. By delving into this rich tapestry of sources, Snapshot Stories poses profound questions about our visual perception and its significance in modern Ireland. It also examines how conflicts surrounding vision and visuality have consistently played a central role in shaping Irish life.

Weight: 498g
Dimension: 146 x 223 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198823032