Pioneers behind the Lens: Women Photographers (1830s-1950s)

This three-hour session explores the remarkable yet under-recognised contributions of women to the development of photography from its invention in the early 19th century through to the mid-20th century. While traditional histories have long focused on male inventors and artists, women were integral to photography’s growth as a scientific tool, artistic medium, and form of social documentation. We begin with early innovators such as Anna Atkins, whose cyanotypes of algae represent the first published photographic book, and Julia Margaret Cameron, known for her expressive, literary-inspired portraits. We’ll also examine the work of Lady Clementina Hawarden, Frances Benjamin Johnston, Gertrude Käsebier, and others who navigated—and often redefined—the artistic and professional possibilities of the medium. As the session progresses, we turn to the modernist and documentary traditions of the 20th century, concluding with the powerful work of Dorothea Lange, Tina Modotti, and Lee Miller. Through their lenses, we see not only artistic innovation but also war, revolution, and resilience. By situating these photographers in their historical and cultural

contexts, this session invites a richer, more inclusive understanding of photographic history.