Since 1930, when the Museum accessioned its first photograph, a vast and unique archive of pictures has been assembled for study, preservation, and exhibition. Among the photographers reproduced and discussed here are works by Hill and Adamson, Cameron, O'Sullivan, Stieglitz, Steichen, Strand, Weston, Walker Evans, Cartier-Bresson, Lange, Brassao, Ansel Adams, Minor White, and Robert Frank.

Some of these photographs are classics, familiar and well-loved favorites; but many are surprising, little-known works by the masters of the art, and a number are hitherto unpublished works by unknown photographers of the past.

Atget was poised on the cusp between the techniques and materials of early photography and the moment things began to change and modern photography was born. From a laborious and time-consuming process came a much faster method that changed the nature of photography forever. Seemingly overnight, the photograph went from being a precious object to something on its way to being accessible to all. Atget was among the first generation to photographically capture the world of ordinary citizens. While the subject matter was new, he was nevertheless steeped in the tradition of the old-world photograph. A crooked door knocker is captured with loving attention to detail, an air of preciousness still present. Spindly trees, store windows, public gardens--each picture is delicate and romantic. It makes you wonder if absolutely everything was more beautiful in France. Included in the book are insightful commentaries for each of the 100 tritone photographs and five duotones, plus a great introduction by John Szarkowski, former director of the Department of Photography at the MOMA. --J.P. Cohen