American Photography [Please Read and Reply!]

[snaremop]

Right now I am on summer vacation, but being the good student that I am lol, I have decided to start some research for a big project I have to do in school next year. The project requires certain elements, but you get to choose your subject. I have decided to do something photography related. I was originally going to do my project on the history of photography, but I have decided that this is too broad. So now I am trying to narrow this subject down into a smaller more specific subject. The teacher assigning this project said very clearly that the subject shouldn't be too broad (like the history of photography, for example) or too specific (like Ansel Adams).

Do you have any ideas for narrowing down the topic of the history of photography? The teacher said the topic should have some sort of relation to the United States (it doesn't have to be explicitly related to the US, but it should have some connection). Don't fret about about the relation to the US part though, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Please reply, as I need to decide my subject within a day or so, so I can check out a library book on it. Thanks in advance

P.S. The topic does, however, need to be broad enough that I can find a book about it. I tried looking for a book about SLR photography and all I could come up with was how-to books.

 

[DSLR noob]

The history of SLR-photography. (you'll mostly get Germany and Japan in this but it is from a 50 year time span rather than a 200 year one)

 

[snaremop]

Thanks - I'll look into it.

 

[JC1220]

Straight photography.

 

[craig]

The work of the Farm Security Administration always fascinated me. They had a short lived photography program that made America aware of the plight of rural farmers. Incredible work from greats like Dorothea Lange and Walker Evans.

Also research Ed Steichen's (curator) Family of Man exhibition. This one is more global.

Love & Bass

 

[snaremop]

Thanks guys! I love your suggestions.

 

[Snyder]

I did my term paper on "Evolution of Combat Camera" in my college english class. Its an exciting topic espcailly since its has been rapidly changing recently.

 

[ANDS!]

"Photographs That Shaped American Politics", by Snare Mop.

 

[Hertz van Rental]

I was going to suggest the Farm Securities Administration photographers but Craig beat me to it.
The other one to look at is the influence of the Group f64 on American photography.

 

[table1349]

Can't get much more American that the impact of photography had in the recording of the Civil War.

First site I came to in a google search: http://www.civilwarphotography.com/gibson/fieldwork.html

Only around 3,600,000 hits, so I'm not sure there is enough there for research purposes.

 

[Snyder]

Ya start from the Civil War with Mathew Brady to the current war on combat cam thats an easy 12-15 page eassay depending how much detail you leave in.

 

[DigitalDiva]

How about the works of Rolling Stone photographers? These are modern iconic images. I'd find that subject to be fun.

 

[gizmo2071]

Maybe looking at the history of photography in a more specific area.
If you like journalism(just an example), look at that. It keeps it open still and your not going to struggle to find information and iconic photographers from the fields to study further in-depth.

 

[deanimator]

What about the impact of photographers who immigrated to the US???
...that´s a topic that hasn´t been thrashed to death.

You´ll find some very interesting and significant "American" photographers were born or grew up elsewhere...Robert Capa, Feiniger, Kertész, Modotti, Steichen and so on.

 

[THORHAMMER]

simillarity , practice, and analogies between millitarty snipers and
long range photographers.

seriously that would be the most awesome report ever...