The first major television history of the most influential art form in the world, this series explores the key events and the key images that have marked the development of photography – from daguerreotype to digital, portraits to photo-journalism, art to advertising.

 

Telling the stories behind the world’s greatest photographs and photographers, the series takes us from the achievements of the first photographers to the acceptance of photography as a credible medium; from its adoption as an essential household possession to the impact and possibilities of the digital world.

 

And, with interviews with some of the world’s greatest living photographers including William Eggleston, Nan Goldin, William Klein, Martin Parr, Sally Mann, Robert Adams, Juergen Teller, Andreas Gursky and Jeff Wall, it seeks to understand what makes a truly great photograph.

 

In six comprehensive episodes The Genius of Photography chronicles this magical, unpredictable and democratic medium that has transformed the way we see ourselves and our lives.

Winner of the Royal Television Society Arts Award 2007.