An influential teacher and curator, Chris Killip (b.1946) is one of Britain's most important social documentary photographers. He has worked mainly on long-term, historically valuable photographic projects. Born on the Isle of Man, among his most important work was a series of portraits of his fellow islanders. His most significant and well-known body of work was made in the North East of England. This won him the coveted Cartier-Bresson award in 1989. He has published two major books of photographs, Isle of Man (1980) and In Flagrante (1988), both with texts by John Berger. Photography is the visual medium of the modern world. It pervades our lives and shapes our perceptions. 55 is a new and ongoing series of beautifully produced, pocket-sized books that explore all aspects and styles of photography. They celebrate the world's most important photographers from the spheres of art, photojournalism, science, street photography, fashion photography and travel photography.

Each volume of 128 pages focuses on an individual master's life work and its development. It features 55 of their key works presented chronologically with an accessible introduction and critical commentaries, telling both the photographer's story and the story of the world that shaped their views.