Written and compiled by Lukitsh (art history, Massachusetts Coll. of Art, Boston; Julia Margaret Cameron: Her Work and Career), this small-format book on 19th-century photographer Cameron (1815-79) features high-quality reproductions with detailed captions. The text is succinct and engaging, revealing how Cameron produced the main body of her work, beginning with a description of the difficult glass-plate negative process. Most of her images are portraits or tableaux vivants based on Bible or literary characters, and her style is remarkable for its imaginative use of natural light and focus. Lukitsh also describes Cameron's social and artistic circle, which included painter George Watts, Thomas Carlyle, Dante and Christina Rossetti, and Charles Darwin. While the book would have benefited from a short bibliography, it does provide a chronology of Cameron's life and work. The "Phaidon 55" series features dozens of photographers and photojournalists ranging in style from traditional to innovative whose work is presented in simply designed and attractive little books that are very affordable. Larger public and academic libraries should consider acquiring the entire series each year for photographic and fine arts collections. Kathleen Collins, Bank of America Corporate Archives, San Francisco Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
