Annuals. Photography Annual 1971. A Selection of the World's Greatest Photographs by the Editors of Popular Photography.

Edited by H.M. Kinzer. Ziff-Davis, 1970. Feature articles on Barbara Morgan and W. Eugene Smith, et al. Other photographers include Alfred Forsberg; Jack Manning; R. Sanz Lobato; Susan McCartney; Lilo Raymond; Michael Gold; Klaus Warwas; Ken Heyman (Newark); Pete Turner; Al Lieberman; Reginald Wickham; Anthony A. Nobile; Pal-Nils Milsson; Arthur Tress; Louis H. Draper (co-founder of the Kamoinge Group), et al. Includes essay, “Why Does W. Eugene Smith Write on Walls?” Spot of liquid damage lower left corner of cover with stain penetrating first few pages. VG-. Summary:

Photography Annual 1971, compiled by the editors of Popular Photography, serves as a comprehensive time capsule of the medium's transition from mid-century photojournalism to the more experimental and personal "New Art" styles of the 1970s. As a premier year-in-review, it balances technical mastery with profound social commentary.

Featured Masters

• W. Eugene Smith: The annual provides a significant platform for Smith, then a towering figure in humanistic photojournalism. This feature typically highlights his "concerned photographer" ethos, characterized by high-contrast, emotionally resonant printing. It often focuses on his ability to find a "universal soul" within specific tragedies, characterized by his rigorous (and often obsessive) darkroom perfectionism.

• Barbara Morgan: Known for her pioneering work in dance photography, the feature on Morgan explores her mastery of movement and light. Unlike the static studio portraits of the era, Morgan’s work—most notably her collaborations with Martha Graham—uses long exposures and rhythmic timing to capture the "energy" rather than just the "pose" of the performer.

Key Sections and Themes

• The International Portfolio: A curated selection of "The World's Greatest Photographs," featuring both established masters and emerging talent from around the globe. This section showcases the shift toward the "Snapshot Aesthetic" and street photography, moving away from the rigid pictorialism of the past.

• The Technical Evolution: The 1971 edition reflects the peak of the 35mm SLR revolution. The editors provide commentary on how faster films and more portable equipment allowed photographers to enter spaces that were previously inaccessible, leading to more candid and intimate social documentation.

• Color vs. Black and White: While black and white remained the standard for "serious" art in 1971, this volume highlights the growing sophistication of color photography, moving it beyond commercial advertising into the realm of personal expression.

Technical and Editorial Insight

A hallmark of the Photography Annual series is the Technical Data section at the back of the book. It provides a "behind-the-scenes" look for hobbyists and professionals alike, detailing:

• The cameras and lenses used (often featuring the legendary Nikons and Leicas of the era).

• Exposure settings ($f$-stops and shutter speeds).

• Film types and specific darkroom techniques used to achieve the final print.

Significance

The 1971 Annual is particularly valued by historians for documenting the "changing of the guard." By featuring the legendary W. Eugene Smith alongside the kinetic, avant-garde work of Barbara Morgan, the editors bridged the gap between the documentary traditions of the 1940s and the expressive, formalist explorations that would define the 1970s.