Black Photographers and Photography in History

Without the lens of truth photography casts, documenting the experiences of Black people throughout history would be vastly different. From the early days of photography to the present, Black photographers have used the medium to capture and preserve the history and culture, and of Black community.

In the early days of the expression, Black people were often excluded from the medium. The narrative of photography was largely controlled by white photographers, and the images they created often reinforced racial stereotypes and perpetuated the myth of white supremacy, over not only black but indigenous populations. Despite these barriers, Black photographers found ways to express themselves and capture the beauty and complexity of their lives.

One of the earliest Black photographers was Jules Lion, a free-born Creole who pioneered American Black photography in New Orleans in the 1840s. He was a Parisian-born portraitist who captured the faces and personalities of his subjects in Louisiana with great skill and subtlety. Other early Black photographers included James Presley Ball, who documented the lives of African Americans in Ohio in the mid-1800s, and Augustus Washington, who was known for his portraits of prominent Black figures in the United States and Liberia.

During the Civil War, photography played a crucial role in documenting the experiences of Black soldiers and civilians. Black photographers, including James Van Der Zee and Gordon Parks, gained recognition for their work during this period. Van Der Zee was known for his portraits of Black life in Harlem during the 1920s and 1930s, while Parks gained fame as a photographer for Life magazine and used his images to highlight the struggles of Black Americans during the Civil Rights movement. Up to this point, the documentation vacillated from fascination to documentation of politics

To the naked and untrained eye, and by accounts of critics at the time, the photographers were documenting events and portraits, but in the decades following the Civil Rights movement, Black photographers started to be recognized for their innovations to the field. One of the most influential photographers of this period was Carrie Mae Weems, who used photography to explore issues of race, gender, and identity, challenging traditional notions of beauty and power. She helped to redefine the way we think about photography and the Black experience.

Another influential photographer of this period was Dawoud Bey, who was known for his portraits of Black subjects. Critically acclaimed, his images captured the beauty and complexity of Black life and challenged the stereotypes and misconceptions that had been perpetuated by white photographers for so long. Black photographers continue to both document the community and make significant contributions to the field. Some of the most prolific photographers in the world are Black and they continue to deliver messaging and innovation using concepts of identity and challenging traditional notions of beauty and power. 

Black photographers have not only helped to document the struggles and triumphs of the Black community but also provided a visual record of the many ways in which Black people have contributed to the history and culture of the United States. Despite the sociopolitical barriers and political challenges, Black photographers continue to create beyond expectation and inspire and challenge our perceptions of the world around us.