100 Famous Photographers Who Shaped the History of Photography

Albert Watson

Lifetime: 1942–Present

Country: Scotland

Short Bio: Albert Watson is a Scottish photographer widely known for his portraits, fashion photography, and documentary work. He has worked for major publications such as Vogue, Rolling Stone, and The New York Times Magazine.

Notable Works: His portfolio includes famous portraits of celebrities like Alfred Hitchcock and Steve Jobs, as well as fashion and advertising campaigns for major brands like Levi’s, Nike, and Prada.

Alec Soth

Lifetime: 1969–Present

Country: United States

Short Bio: Alec Soth is an American photographer who is best known for his large-format portraiture and landscapes, which often explore themes of isolation and the human condition.

Notable Works: Soth’s most notable work includes Sleeping by the Mississippi and Broken Manual, both of which depict introspective, quiet moments from American life.

Alfred Eisenstaedt

Lifetime: 1898–1995

Country: Germany / United States

Short Bio: Alfred Eisenstaedt was a German-American photographer, best known for his work as a photojournalist at Life magazine. He captured iconic images throughout the 20th century, including those from World War II.

Notable Works: His most famous photograph is the V-J Day kiss in Times Square, depicting a sailor kissing a nurse.

Alfred Stieglitz

Lifetime: 1864–1946

Country: United States

Short Bio: Alfred Stieglitz was an American photographer and modern art promoter. He was a leading figure in the development of photography as an art form and was instrumental in bringing European modernism to the United States.

Notable Works: Known for his intimate portraits and images of the New York skyline, Stieglitz’s Equivalents series is one of his most famous contributions to modern art.

André Kertész

Lifetime: 1894–1985

Country: Hungary / United States

Short Bio: André Kertész was a Hungarian-American photographer whose work influenced the development of photojournalism and fine art photography. His images are often noted for their delicacy and poetic compositions.

Notable Works: His iconic works include The Fork and The Violinist, images that highlight his ability to find beauty in everyday life.

Andreas Gursky

Lifetime: 1955–Present

Country: Germany

Short Bio: Andreas Gursky is a German photographer known for his large-scale, high-contrast images. He often works with digital manipulation to present complex compositions of modern life.

Notable Works: His best-known work includes Rhein II (which sold for a record price at auction) and 99 Cent.

Annie Leibovitz

Lifetime: 1949–Present

Country: United States

Short Bio: Annie Leibovitz is a renowned American portrait photographer, known for her striking and often conceptual images of celebrities.

Notable Works: Leibovitz’s most famous works include portraits of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, and the Vanity Fair covers she has shot over the years.

Ansel Adams

Lifetime: 1902–1984

Country: United States

Short Bio: Ansel Adams was an American photographer and environmentalist known for his black-and-white landscape photographs of the American West.

Notable Works: His iconic images include Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico and Clearing Winter Storm, which are widely regarded as masterpieces of American photography.

Ara Güler

Lifetime: 1928–2018

Country: Turkey

Short Bio: Ara Güler was a Turkish photographer, famed for his black-and-white portraits and street photography, particularly his depiction of Istanbul.

Notable Works: His photographs often include historical figures, such as Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí, as well as iconic street scenes from Istanbul in the 20th century.

Arnold Newman

Lifetime: 1918–2006

Country: United States

Short Bio: Arnold Newman was an American photographer known for his environmental portraits of artists, politicians, and other cultural figures.

Notable Works: Notable images include his portraits of Pablo Picasso, Igor Stravinsky, and John F. Kennedy.

Art Wolfe

Lifetime: 1951–Present

Country: United States

Short Bio: Art Wolfe is an American photographer and conservationist. He is known for his stunning wildlife and nature photography and his passion for environmental conservation.

Notable Works: His famous works include The Spirit of the Wild and Earth is My Witness, which showcase his extraordinary ability to capture the natural world.

Berenice Abbott

Lifetime: 1898–1991

Country: United States

Short Bio: Berenice Abbott was an American photographer best known for her black-and-white photographs of New York City during the 1930s.

Notable Works: Abbott’s notable works include her series Changing New York, documenting the transformation of New York City’s architecture.

Bill Brandt

Lifetime: 1904–1983

Country: United Kingdom

Short Bio: Bill Brandt was a British photographer known for his pioneering work in photojournalism, landscape photography, and nudes.

Notable Works: His famous works include Nudes and A Night in London, capturing the stark contrasts of light and shadow.

Brassaï

Lifetime: 1899–1984

Country: Hungary / France

Short Bio: Brassaï, born Gyula Halász, was a Hungarian-French photographer celebrated for his black-and-white images of Paris.

Notable Works: His notable works include Paris de Nuit, a collection of photographs showcasing the nighttime beauty of Paris.

Brent Stirton

Lifetime: 1969–Present

Country: South Africa

Short Bio: Brent Stirton is a South African photographer and photojournalist whose work often focuses on global conservation and environmental issues.

Notable Works: His notable works include his photo essays on wildlife conservation, including the poaching crisis in Africa.

Bruce Davidson

Lifetime: 1933–Present

Country: United States

Short Bio: Bruce Davidson is an American photographer best known for his street photography and documentation of marginalized communities.

Notable Works: His iconic works include East 100th Street and Time of Change, which depict the social changes of the 1960s.

Bruce Weber

Lifetime: 1946–Present

Country: United States

Short Bio: Bruce Weber is an American photographer and filmmaker known for his advertising work and his intimate portraits of male models and athletes.

Notable Works: His notable works include his advertising campaigns for Abercrombie & Fitch and his book Bear Pond, a documentary-style collection of photographs.

Carrie Mae Weems

Lifetime: 1953–Present

Country: United States

Short Bio: Carrie Mae Weems is an American artist and photographer who often explores issues of race, identity, and gender through her art.

Notable Works: Her famous works include The Kitchen Table Series, which delves into family dynamics and personal identity.

Cecil Beaton

Lifetime: 1904–1980

Country: United Kingdom

Short Bio: Cecil Beaton was a British fashion, portrait, and war photographer, as well as an Oscar-winning set designer.

Notable Works: His portraits of royalty, such as those of Queen Elizabeth II, and his fashion work for Vogue are some of his most iconic works.

Chuck Close

Lifetime: 1940–2021

Country: United States

Short Bio: Chuck Close was an American painter and photographer known for his large-scale portraits of friends, family, and artists.

Notable Works: His notable works include his photographic series of self-portraits and his innovative use of the grid system in creating portrait photography.

Cindy Sherman

Lifetime: 1954–Present

Country: United States

Short Bio: Cindy Sherman is an American photographer and conceptual artist best known for her self-portraits in which she portrays various female characters.

Notable Works: Her famous work includes the Untitled Film Stills series, in which she staged herself in various roles inspired by B-movies and film noir.

Daido Moriyama

Lifetime: 1938–Present

Country: Japan

Short Bio: Daido Moriyama is a Japanese photographer known for his raw, grainy black-and-white images of Japanese urban life.

Notable Works: His work in Japan, A Photo Theater and Stray Dog captures the gritty realism of post-war Japan.

Danny Lyon

Lifetime: 1942–Present

Country: United States

Short Bio: Danny Lyon is an American photographer and filmmaker known for his documentary photography, particularly of social and political movements.

Notable Works: His most famous works include The Bikeriders and Conversations with the Dead, both of which explore subcultures in America.

David Bailey

Lifetime: 1938–Present

Country: United Kingdom

Short Bio: David Bailey is a British photographer and one of the most prominent figures in fashion photography.

Notable Works: His most famous portraits include images of the Beatles, Jean Shrimpton, and other iconic personalities of the 1960s.

David Doubilet

Lifetime: 1946–Present

Country: United States

Short Bio: David Doubilet is an American underwater photographer, widely known for his work documenting marine life.

Notable Works: His famous works include his underwater photography featured in National Geographic, showcasing the beauty and fragility of ocean ecosystems.

David LaChapelle

Lifetime: 1963–Present

Country: United States

Short Bio: David LaChapelle is an American photographer and director, known for his surreal and hyperreal style.

Notable Works: His notable works include Heaven to Hell, a collection of elaborate and controversial portraits of celebrities and artists.

Diane Arbus

Lifetime: 1923–1971

Country: United States

Short Bio: Diane Arbus was an American photographer known for her portraits of marginalized and unusual subjects, including people with disabilities and others outside of societal norms.

Notable Works: Her famous works include Identical Twins and Child with a Toy Hand Grenade in Central Park.

Don McCullin

Lifetime: 1935–Present

Country: United Kingdom

Short Bio: Don McCullin is a British photojournalist known for his war photography and depictions of human suffering.

Notable Works: His iconic works include his coverage of the Vietnam War and the Biafra conflict.

Dorothea Lange

Lifetime: 1895–1965

Country: United States

Short Bio: Dorothea Lange was an American documentary photographer and photojournalist best known for her work during the Great Depression.

Notable Works: Her most famous photograph, Migrant Mother, became an enduring symbol of the hardships of the Depression era.

Edward Burtynsky

Lifetime: 1955–Present

Country: Canada

Short Bio: Edward Burtynsky is a Canadian photographer and artist known for his large-format photographs of industrial landscapes.

Notable Works: His famous works include Oil, Water, and Anthropocene, which explore the environmental impact of human activity on the planet.

Edward Steichen

Lifetime: 1879–1973

Country: Luxembourg/USA

Short Bio: Edward Steichen was one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century. Initially a painter, he turned to photography, working as a fashion photographer and later becoming the head of photography at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. He is best known for his portrait and fashion photography as well as his role in developing photographic exhibitions.

Notable Works: "The Family of Man," "Moonlight," "Self-Portrait."

Edward Weston

Lifetime: 1886–1958

Country: USA

Short Bio: Edward Weston was an American photographer known for his modernist style. His work ranged from landscape and nude photography to still lifes and close-ups of natural objects, creating highly detailed, close-up images.

Notable Works: "Nude," "Pepper No. 30," "Cabbage Leaf."

Elliot Erwitt

Lifetime: 1928–2023

Country: USA

Short Bio: Elliott Erwitt is a renowned photographer known for his ironic, humorous black-and-white images. His work ranges from candid shots of daily life to portraits of famous figures. Erwitt worked as a photographer for major magazines, including Life and Esquire.

Notable Works: "New York 1950," "Elliot Erwitt's Paris," "Dog Dogs."

Eugene Smith

Lifetime: 1918–1978

Country: USA

Short Bio: Eugene Smith was an American photojournalist known for his powerful photo essays, especially in Life magazine. His work focused on the human condition and complex issues like war and poverty.

Notable Works: "Country Doctor," "Minamata," "Spanish Village."

Eve Arnold

Lifetime: 1912–2012

Country: USA

Short Bio: Eve Arnold was an American photojournalist who captured intimate moments of famous figures such as Marilyn Monroe. Her work spanned fashion, documentary, and portraits. She was one of the first women to work for Magnum Photos.

Notable Works: "Marilyn Monroe," "In America," "Women."

Frans Lanting

Lifetime: 1951– Present

Country: Netherlands

Short Bio: Frans Lanting is a Dutch wildlife photographer renowned for his striking images of the natural world. He has worked extensively for National Geographic and other environmental publications, raising awareness about endangered species.

Notable Works: "Wild Life," "Penguin," "Eye to Eye."

Garry Winogrand

Lifetime: 1928–1984

Country: USA

Short Bio: Garry Winogrand was an American photographer known for his street photography. His work captured the chaotic energy and candid moments of American life, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s.

Notable Works: "The Animals," "Public Relations," "Women Are Beautiful."

Gilles Peress

Lifetime: 1956–Present

Country: France

Short Bio: Gilles Peress is a French-American photographer best known for his war photography and his work documenting political and social issues around the world. His images often convey the emotional and psychological impact of conflict.

Notable Works: "The Silence," "Farewell to Bosnia," "Telex Iran."

Gordon Parks

Lifetime: 1912–2006

Country: USA

Short Bio: Gordon Parks was an African-American photographer, filmmaker, and author. He was one of the first black photographers to work for Life magazine and is known for documenting the civil rights movement and social issues.

Notable Works: "American Gothic," "Segregation Story," "The Learning Tree."

Graciela Iturbide

Lifetime: 1942– Present

Country: Mexico

Short Bio: Graciela Iturbide is a Mexican photographer known for her work documenting the lives of indigenous peoples in Mexico. Her images often explore themes of culture, gender, and identity.

Notable Works: "Juchitán," "Mujeres del Mundo," "La Mujer Águila."

Gregory Crewdson

Lifetime: 1962–Present

Country: USA

Short Bio: Gregory Crewdson is an American photographer known for his elaborately staged, cinematic images of suburban life. His work often features surreal or unsettling scenes, creating a sense of isolation and unease.

Notable Works: "Twilight," "Beneath the Roses," "In a Lonely Place."

Harold Edgerton

Lifetime: 1903–1990

Country: USA

Short Bio: Harold Edgerton was an American electrical engineer and photographer who developed high-speed photography techniques. His work captured fleeting moments that are typically invisible to the human eye.

Notable Works: "Milk Drop Coronet," "Bullet Through an Apple," "Strobe Photograph of a Dancer."

Helmut Newton

Lifetime: 1920–2004

Country: Germany/Australia

Short Bio: Helmut Newton was a German-Australian photographer best known for his provocative fashion photography. His work often explored themes of eroticism and power, influencing fashion photography for decades.

Notable Works: "Big Nudes," "White Women," "SOMK."

Henri Cartier-Bresson

Lifetime: 1908–2004

Country: France

Short Bio: Henri Cartier-Bresson was a French photographer considered one of the pioneers of photojournalism. He is famous for his concept of the "decisive moment" and for capturing candid, unposed moments in daily life.

Notable Works: "The Decisive Moment," "Behind the Gare Saint-Lazare," "China."

Hiroshi Sugimoto

Lifetime: 1948–Present

Country: Japan

Short Bio: Hiroshi Sugimoto is a Japanese photographer known for his conceptual and minimalist approach to photography. His work often explores the passage of time and the relationship between the real and the artificial.

Notable Works: "Seascapes," "Theaters," "Dioramas."

Horst P. Horst

Lifetime: 1906–1999

Country: Germany/USA

Short Bio: Horst P. Horst was a German-American photographer best known for his fashion and portrait photography. He became a leading figure in the fashion world, working with Vogue and creating iconic images of models and celebrities.

Notable Works: "Mainbocher Corset," "The Mainbocher Corset," "Study of a Dancer."

Imogen Cunningham

Lifetime: 1883–1976

Country: USA

Short Bio: Imogen Cunningham was an American photographer who pioneered the use of close-ups and botanical photography. Her work ranged from portraits to still lifes, and she was part of the Group f/64 movement.

Notable Works: "Magnolia Blossom," "Cabbage Leaf," "Imogen Cunningham: The Early Years."

Irving Penn

Lifetime: 1917–2009

Country: USA

Short Bio: Irving Penn was an American photographer known for his fashion, portrait, and still life photography. He worked with major publications like Vogue and was famous for his minimalist approach and use of natural light.

Notable Works: "Small Trades," "Shimmering Still Life," "Portraits."

James Nachtwey

Lifetime: 1948– Present

Country: USA

Short Bio: James Nachtwey is an American photojournalist known for his war photography and coverage of human suffering around the world. His work has focused on conflict zones, poverty, and humanitarian crises.

Notable Works: "Inferno," "War Photographer," "The Fall of Baghdad."

Jeff Wall

Lifetime: 1946 - Present

Country: Canada

Short Bio: Jeff Wall is a Canadian photographer and artist best known for his large-scale backlit photographs, which often resemble tableaux or cinematic scenes. His work explores themes such as social issues, narrative, and visual perception.

Notable Works: A Sudden Gust of Wind (after Hokusai), The Destroyed Room, Picture for Women.

Joe McNally

Lifetime: 1952 - Present

Country: United States

Short Bio: Joe McNally is an American photographer and photojournalist known for his work with National Geographic and his expertise in lighting and portraiture. He has worked on numerous high-profile projects around the world.

Notable Works: Faces of Ground Zero, The Moment It Clicks, The Hot Shoe Diaries.

Joel Meyerowitz

Lifetime: 1938 - Present

Country: United States

Short Bio: Joel Meyerowitz is a renowned American street photographer and pioneer of color photography. His work often features public spaces, capturing moments of everyday life with a keen eye for color and composition.

Notable Works: Cape Light, Wild Flowers, Legacy.

Juergen Teller

Lifetime: 1964 - Present

Country: Germany

Short Bio: Juergen Teller is a German photographer known for his unconventional portraiture and fashion photography. He often uses raw, unretouched images to challenge traditional standards of beauty.

Notable Works: Go Sees, I Am Not Sorry, Vivienne Westwood.

Julia Margaret Cameron

Lifetime: 1815 - 1879

Country: United Kingdom

Short Bio: Julia Margaret Cameron was a British photographer known for her portraits and allegorical works. Her photographs were often soft-focused, focusing on emotional depth rather than technical perfection.

Notable Works: Portrait of Thomas Carlyle, The Angel at the Sepulchre, Iago.

Kathy Ryan

Lifetime: 1958 - Present

Country: United States

Short Bio: Kathy Ryan is an American photographer and photo editor known for her work with The New York Times Magazine and her ability to document modern life through both editorial and personal lenses.

Notable Works: The New York Times Magazine, Office Romance, The Decisive Moment.

Lee Friedlander

Lifetime: 1934 - Present

Country: United States

Short Bio: Lee Friedlander is an American photographer known for his candid images of urban and rural landscapes, street scenes, and reflections. His work is noted for its complexity and sense of spontaneity.

Notable Works: American Monuments, Self Portraits, The American Photographs.

Lewis Hine

Lifetime: 1874 - 1940

Country: United States

Short Bio: Lewis Hine was an American photographer and sociologist, known for his documentary work capturing child labor and the lives of immigrants in the early 20th century.

Notable Works: Child Labor, Empire State Building Construction, The Nation’s Children.

Lise Sarfati

Lifetime: 1958 - Present

Country: France

Short Bio: Lise Sarfati is a French photographer known for her intimate, often psychological portraits. Her work explores human vulnerability, identity, and the personal struggles of her subjects.

Notable Works: The Mothers, She, Absent.

Lorna Simpson

Lifetime: 1960 - Present

Country: United States

Short Bio: Lorna Simpson is an American photographer and multimedia artist whose work often focuses on race, identity, and gender. Her art challenges the traditional representations of African American women in media.

Notable Works: Wig, Guarded Conditions, Easy to Remember.

Lynsey Addario

Lifetime: 1973 - Present

Country: United States

Short Bio: Lynsey Addario is an American photojournalist known for her coverage of war zones and conflict areas, particularly in the Middle East and Afghanistan. She has won numerous awards for her bravery and insightful reporting.

Notable Works: It's What I Do: A Photographer's Life of Love and War, The New York Times photojournalism.

Man Ray

Lifetime: 1890 - 1976

Country: United States

Short Bio: Man Ray was an American visual artist known for his avant-garde photography and his contributions to both Dadaism and Surrealism. His work incorporated experimental techniques and explored themes of sexuality and abstraction.

Notable Works: Le Violin d'Ingres, Noire et Blanche, Rayographs.

Margaret Bourke White

Lifetime: 1904 - 1971

Country: United States

Short Bio: Margaret Bourke White was an American photographer and documentary photographer. She was one of the first female war correspondents and became famous for her work documenting industrial America and the Soviet Union.

Notable Works: Fortune Magazine, You Have Seen Their Faces, The Soviet Story.

Mario Sorrenti

Lifetime: 1971 - Present

Country: United States

Short Bio: Mario Sorrenti is an American photographer and director known for his sensual and intimate images, particularly in the world of fashion photography.

Notable Works: Kate Moss for Calvin Klein, Vogue Magazine, W Magazine.

Mario Testino

Lifetime: 1954 - Present

Country: Peru

Short Bio: Mario Testino is a Peruvian fashion photographer known for his work with major celebrities and high-fashion campaigns. His glamorous, elegant style has made him one of the most influential fashion photographers of the 21st century.

Notable Works: Vogue Covers, Princess Diana Portraits, Kate Moss for Burberry.

Martin Parr

Lifetime: 1952 - Present

Country: United Kingdom

Short Bio: Martin Parr is a British photographer and photojournalist whose work often documents the banalities and absurdities of modern life, particularly focusing on British society and consumer culture.

Notable Works: The Last Resort, Common Sense, Life's a Beach.

Martine Franck

Lifetime: 1938 - 2012

Country: Belgium

Short Bio: Martine Franck was a Belgian-born photographer, best known for her work with the Magnum Photos agency. Her photographs often focus on human rights, social issues, and the human condition.

Notable Works: Himalaya, Magnum Photos, The Day in the Life.

Mary Ellen Mark

Lifetime: 1940 - 2015

Country: United States

Short Bio: Mary Ellen Mark was an American photographer known for her work in documentary photography, capturing portraits of marginalized communities and subcultures.

Notable Works: Streetwise, Ward 81, American Odyssey.

Michael Kenna

Lifetime: 1953 - Present

Country: United Kingdom

Short Bio: Michael Kenna is a British photographer best known for his minimalist black-and-white landscapes. His work often features long exposures of serene natural environments.

Notable Works: Hokkaido, Paris, Northumberland.

Muhammed Muheisen

Lifetime: 1981 - Present

Country: Pakistan

Short Bio: Muhammed Muheisen is a Pakistani photographer renowned for his photojournalism work covering humanitarian crises and refugees, particularly in the Middle East.

Notable Works: The Refugee Crisis, National Geographic, Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of refugees.

Nadav Kander

Lifetime: 1961 -Present

Country: United Kingdom (born in South Africa)

Short Bio: Nadav Kander is a British photographer known for his landscapes and portraiture. He has gained international recognition for his striking and often contemplative imagery.

Notable Works: "Yangtze - The Long River", "Obama's People"

Nan Goldin

Lifetime: 1953 -Present

Country: United States

Short Bio: Nan Goldin is an American photographer known for her deeply personal and candid portraiture, often documenting the LGBTQ+ community, drug culture, and relationships.

Notable Works: "The Ballad of Sexual Dependency", "I’ll Be Your Mirror"

Nick Knight

Lifetime:  1958 - Present

Country: United Kingdom

Short Bio: Nick Knight is a British fashion photographer known for his innovative and often provocative approach to the fashion industry. He has worked with many high-profile brands and artists.

Notable Works: "Skinhead", "Fashioning the Future"

O Winston Link

Lifetime: 1914–2001

Country: United States

Short Bio: O. Winston Link was an American photographer famous for his stunning black-and-white photographs of steam trains, especially during the twilight years of steam railroads in the U.S.

Notable Works: "Night Trains", "Steam, Steel, and Stars"

Paolo Roversi

Lifetime: 1947 - Present

Country: Italy

Short Bio: Paolo Roversi is an Italian fashion photographer, known for his distinctive style of soft, poetic, and highly atmospheric images.

Notable Works: "Nudes", "Polaroids"

Peter Lindbergh

Lifetime: 1944–2019

Country: Germany

Short Bio: Peter Lindbergh was a German fashion photographer, widely celebrated for his black-and-white portraits that highlighted natural beauty over artificial glamour.

Notable Works: "Top Models", "A Different Vision of Fashion"

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Lifetime: 1951 -Present

Country: United States

Short Bio: Philip-Lorca diCorcia is an American photographer, known for his cinematic style and his combination of documentary and staged photography.

Notable Works: "Hustlers", "Heads"

Philippe Halsman

Lifetime: 1906–1979

Country: Latvia (naturalized American)

Short Bio: Philippe Halsman was a Latvian-American photographer, famous for his portraits of celebrities and his innovative technique of photographing subjects jumping in the air.

Notable Works: "Jumpology", "Dali's Mustache"

Pieter Hugo

Lifetime: 1976 - Present

Country: South Africa

Short Bio: Pieter Hugo is a South African photographer, widely recognized for his intimate portraits of people in rural Africa, often exploring themes of identity and social issues.

Notable Works: "The Hyena & Other Men", "Nollywood"

Platon

Lifetime: 1968 - Present

Country: Greece

Short Bio: Platon is a Greek-born photographer known for his powerful portraiture of world leaders and cultural icons, often capturing them with striking intensity and emotion.

Notable Works: "Power", "Portraits of Power"

Raghu Rai

Lifetime: 1942 - Present

Country: India

Short Bio: Raghu Rai is an Indian photojournalist, well-known for his work documenting historical moments, cultural shifts, and social issues in India.

Notable Works: "The Emergency", "Bhopal: The Tragedy"

Richard Avedon

Lifetime: 1923–2004

Country: United States

Short Bio: Richard Avedon was an American fashion and portrait photographer, known for his minimalist style and his ability to capture the essence of his subjects.

Notable Works: "In the American West", "Dovima with Elephants"

Richard Misrach

Lifetime: 1949 - Present

Country: United States

Short Bio: Richard Misrach is an American photographer, best known for his large-scale color photographs of deserts and environmental landscapes.

Notable Works: "Desert Cantos", "Golden Gate"

Robert Capa

Lifetime: 1913–1954

Country: Hungary

Short Bio: Robert Capa was a Hungarian-born war photographer, renowned for his photographs of the Spanish Civil War and the D-Day landings.

Notable Works: "The Spanish Civil War", "D-Day: The Invasion of Normandy"

Robert Doisneau

Lifetime: 1912–1994

Country: France

Short Bio: Robert Doisneau was a French photographer, famous for capturing candid and often romantic moments in Paris.

Notable Works: "Le Baiser de l'Hôtel de Ville", "Paris"

Robert Frank

Lifetime: 1924–2019

Country: Switzerland (naturalized American)

Short Bio: Robert Frank was a Swiss-American photographer and filmmaker, whose book "The Americans" became one of the most influential photo collections of the 20th century.

Notable Works: "The Americans", "Peru"

Robert Mapplethorpe

Lifetime: 1946–1989

Country: United States

Short Bio: Robert Mapplethorpe was an American photographer known for his provocative and often controversial images, particularly of the human form and sexuality.

Notable Works: "X Portfolio", "Flowers"

Sally Mann

Lifetime: 1951 - Present

Country: United States

Short Bio: Sally Mann is an American photographer, recognized for her intimate portraits of her family, particularly her children, and for her exploration of themes of memory, identity, and the passage of time.

Notable Works: "Immediate Family", "What Remains"

Sebastião Salgado

Lifetime: 1944 - Present

Country: Brazil

Short Bio: Sebastião Salgado is a Brazilian social documentary photographer, renowned for his powerful black-and-white images documenting the plight of the world's poor, as well as his environmental photography.

Notable Works: "Workers", "Genesis"

Shirin Neshat

Lifetime: 1957- Present

Country: Iran

Short Bio: Shirin Neshat is an Iranian visual artist who often incorporates photography and video installations to explore themes of identity, gender, and societal restrictions, especially in the context of Iranian culture.

Notable Works: "Women of Allah", "Rapture"

Steve McCurry

Lifetime: 1950 - Present

Country: United States

Short Bio: Steve McCurry is an American photographer, best known for his iconic image "Afghan Girl" and for his work in conflict zones and developing countries.

Notable Works: "Afghan Girl", "The World Through My Eyes"

Thomas Struth

Lifetime: 1954–Present

Country: Germany

Short Bio: Thomas Struth is a renowned German photographer, best known for his large-scale architectural and museum photography. Struth’s work explores the relationship between humans and their environments, capturing the impact of modern civilization through a lens of cultural history and urban development. His style is characterized by highly detailed, wide-angle shots that highlight both the grandeur and the intricacies of the subjects he portrays.

Notable Works: Struth is famous for his cityscape photography, particularly of urban scenes in New York and Berlin. He is also renowned for his "Museum Photographs" series, capturing visitors interacting with art in galleries. His work often explores the relationship between humans and their environments.

Tim Walker

Lifetime: 1970 - Present

Country: United Kingdom

Short Bio: Tim Walker is a British fashion photographer, celebrated for his whimsical and fantastical style, often incorporating surreal and dreamlike elements into his imagery.

Notable Works: "Tim Walker: Story Teller", "Giant"

Vivian Maier

Lifetime: 1926–2009

Country: United States

Short Bio: Vivian Maier was an American street photographer, whose work was largely unknown until after her death. Her candid black-and-white images of urban life have since gained significant recognition.

Notable Works: "Vivian Maier: Street Photographer", "Self Portraits"

Walker Evans

Lifetime: 1903–1975

Country: United States

Short Bio: Walker Evans was an American photographer known for his powerful documentary style and his ability to capture the ordinary lives of rural Americans during the Great Depression.

Notable Works: "American Photographs", "Let Us Now Praise Famous Men"

Weegee

Lifetime: 1899–1968

Country: Austria (naturalized American)

Short Bio: Weegee, born Arthur Fellig, was a photographer and photojournalist, famous for his stark, often gritty images of crime scenes, accidents, and urban life in New York City.

Notable Works: "Naked City", "Weegee's World"

William Eggleston

Lifetime: 1939 - Present

Country: United States

Short Bio: William Eggleston is an American photographer, recognized as one of the pioneers of color photography and for his often mundane yet vivid depictions of the American South.

Notable Works: "The Democratic Forest", "William Eggleston's Guide"

Willy Ronis

Lifetime: 1910–2009

Country: France

Short Bio: Willy Ronis was a French photographer known for his humanist approach, capturing intimate moments of daily life in post-war France.

Notable Works: "Paris Vu Par Willy Ronis", "The Humans of Paris"

Wolfgang Tillmans

Lifetime: 1968 - Present

Country: Germany

Short Bio: Wolfgang Tillmans is a German photographer whose works explore diverse subjects, including portraits, still life, and abstract photography, with a focus on the fluidity of contemporary life.

Notable Works: "Photographs 1997–2003", "Freedom"

Yousuf Karsh

Lifetime: 1908–2002

Country: Canada (born in Armenia)

Short Bio: Yousuf Karsh was a Canadian portrait photographer, famous for his striking black-and-white photographs of political leaders, artists, and celebrities.

Notable Works: "Karsh: The Art of the Portrait", "Prime Ministers of Canada"

Zanele Muholi

Lifetime: 1972 - Present

Country: South Africa

Short Bio: Zanele Muholi is a South African photographer and visual activist, whose work focuses on issues of race, gender, and LGBTQ+ rights.

Notable Works: "Faces and Phases", "Somnyama Ngonyama"