It is hard to imagine anyone's everyday life without photography being involved in some way, from passport photographs, to publicity, postcards, magazines and art galleries. Photography is one of the most pervasive media and consequently difficult to grasp as a single thing. Associated with both science and art from its beginning, photography crosses many boundaries and, with the advent of digital imaging and manipulation, it has extended its presence even further. This book boils down the massive territory of photography to the key genres, discussing each in turn to show how they have become even more relevant in today's dynamic cultural and technological context. Illustrated with a range of historical and contemporary images and case material, this book is essential reading for anyone interested in photography.