How do some of the most talented and successful photographers today view their careers and their work? Lewis Blackwell, a photography editor, writer, and curator who was formerly creative head of Getty Images, has plenty of experience dealing with their artistic and business concerns. His new book, Photo-Wisdom (Chronicle 2009), brings together the art and the thinking of 50 of the best.

On Monday night, Blackwell presents an exploration of the richness of contemporary photographic practice through discussion with some of the photographers in the book and a slide show of the work.

Images from Photo-Wisdom, left to right, by David LaChapelle, Phil Toledano, and Massimo Vitali. Copyright the artists, courtesy Chronicle Books.

The book features commentary and 200 images selected by the photographers themselves. In a recent interview in Photo District News, Blackwell said he feels that the book's greatest value lies in the photographers' statements, which reflect the many different ways in which one can work in the field. He has brought together a diverse group working in every conceivable style and aspect of the camera arts. Legendary figures, such as Stephen Shore, David Goldblatt, and Albert Watson are joined by younger photographers including Ami Vitale and Tim Walker, each of whom brings a highly personal view of their practice.

Chuck Close says that although "photography is the easiest medium in which to be competent, it is probably the hardest to develop an idiosyncratic personal vision. . .It's like pushing something heavy uphill. Photography's not an easy medium; it is perhaps the hardest of them all."

David Goldblatt, recipient of the 2009 Cartier-Bresson Award says, "When you are working with a camera, you have a kind of a license to look. It is the act of looking or seeing which is the most important thing. Quite often I realized that it did not really make much difference if I finally took the photograph or not. It was sufficient to recognize the moment, the occasion that moved me."

Ami Vitale, best known for her globe-hopping editorial work, offers an optimistic view of a rapidly changing profession: "I feel it is a glorious time for photojournalism and storytelling. Our medium is changing and new opportunities are out there. Photography is not dead. I see this as an empowering and exciting time."

Join Lewis Blackwell, Phil Toledano and Steve Pyke on Monday, December 14, 2009, 7 pm at the School of Visual Arts Theatre at 333 West 23rd Street, New York, NY. The event, which is free and open to the public, is presented by the School of Visual Arts, International Center of Photography, Dear Dave Magazine, and Chronicle Books. A Q+A and book signing will follow the talk.

Photographers featured in the book: Adam Broomberg & Oliver Chanarin, Adam Fuss, Albert Watson, Ami Vitale, Andrew Zuckerman, Arno Rafael Minkkinen, Art Wolfe, Chuck Close, David Doubilet, David Goldblatt, David La Chapelle, Duane Michals, Edward Burtynsky, Elliott Erwitt, Ernesto Bazan, Erwin Olaf, Fazal Sheikh, Fulvio Bonavia, Graham Nash, Guido Mocafico, Howard Schatz, James Mollison, Jill Greenberg, Joel Meyerowitz, Joyce Tenneson, Jurgen Schadeberg, Lauren Greenfield, Loretta Lux, Mark Seliger, Mary Ellen Mark, Michael Kenna, Michael Light, Mitch Epstein, Nadav Kander, Oliviero Toscani, Peggy Sirota, Phil Toledano, Pierre and Gilles, Pieter Hugo, Platon, Ralph Gibson, Ron van Dongen, Stephen Shore, Steve Bloom, Steve Pyke, Tim Flach, Massimo Vitali, Tim Walker, Victor Schrager.

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