Surviving the Lens: Photographic studies of South & East African People 1870-1920, Michael Stevenson

Surviving the Lens: Photographic studies of South & East African People 1870-1920, Michael Stevenson, First Edition, 2001, Hardcover, complete intact dustjacket, 144 pages, in excellent condition.

A fine collection of historic photos, taken during the earlier years of European colonialization of the continent, each with captions and commentary. This selection of compelling photographs of people from south and east Africa offers an opportunity to re-evaluate the colonial photography of these regions. During this era, indigenous subjects usually struggled to retain their dignity and composure in the exploitative lens of the European traveller, tourist, scientist and commercial photographer. In those instances when the sitter's humanity survived the racial prejudices and technology of the time, the images often transcend their role as historical records and can be seen as provocative and poignant works of art.