Conflicting Images: Histories of War Photography in the News by Allan, Stuart

In contrast with historical examinations centring the evolving role of the war correspondent, Conflicting Images focuses on the contribution of photographers and photojournalists, providing an evaluative appraisal of war photography in the news and its development from the nineteenth century to the twenty-first century.

Stuart Allan and Tom Allbeson critically explore diverse genres of war photography across a broad historical sweep, encompassing events from the Crimean War (1853–56) and the Civil War in the United States (1861–65) up to and including conflicts unfolding in Syria and Ukraine. This book reflects on the relevance of different types of warfare to visual reporting, from colonial conquest via trench warfare and aerial bombardment, to the ideological dimensions of the Cold War, and ‘embedding’ and ‘winning hearts and minds’ during the ‘War on Terror’ and its aftermath. In pinpointing illustrative examples, the authors examine changing dynamics of production, dissemination, and public engagement. Readers will come to understand how current efforts to rethink the future of war photography in a digital age can benefit from a close and careful consideration of war photography’s origins, early development, and gradual, uneven transformation over the years. Conflicting Images aims to invigorate ongoing enquires and inspire new, alternative trajectories for future research and practice.

This book is recommended reading for researchers and advanced students of visual journalism and conflict reporting.