[.ca] Viewfinders: Black Women Photographers (ISBN 0863161588)

A gem of a book! A " must read" for all photographers!:
My extensive search for a book on Black women photographers led me to this gem of a book. "Viewfinders" presents an historical perspective of the amazing Black women who were pioneers in photography. I learned about Eslanda Robeson, Elizabeth "Tex" Williams, Adine Williams, etc.-- women who inspired me (a Black woman) to become a professional photographer in a field dominated ny men. The book's bio-bibliography is an added "plus" because it lists the cities where the Black women photographers resided. "Viewfinders" is a great "coffee table" centerpiece and a "must read" for amateur and professional photographers. Kudos to Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe!!

A Different Way of Viewing:
What a gem this book is! This is certainly an area of photography unexplored by most. Though I've loved photography for decades, until I found this book I hadn't given much thought to women of color who photographed. When I think of difficulty that women such as Gilpin and Cunningham had in simply supporting themselves in the early days, how must it have been for these women, seemingly doubly handicapped! One must respect the difficulty Mrs. Ashe encountered trying to uncover so many of the more obscure figures. My favorites were the women who operated commercial photographic studios, taking all types of 'hack' photography. Of course, we have now come to respect that type of photography as a form of documentary work, and some of these women did it beautifully. 'Tex', the military photographer, was another favorite. Regardless of who you may find as a favorite of yours, as a work en toto this is a superb addition to any fan of photography.