Defining photography is impossible. Revealing it is another matter, and that's what The Concise Focal Encyclopedia of Photography does, with each turn of the page. History: The technical origins and evolution of photography are half of the story. The other half consists of the ways that cultural forces have transformed photography into a constellation of practices more diverse than any other mode of representation. Photographers can tell a more in-depth story through a photo like Dorothea Lange's "Migrant Mother" than a journalist ever could with the written word alone. Major themes and practitioners: Over 25 entries, many with supporting illustrations, examine the figures, trends, and ideas that have contributed most heavily to the history and current state of photography. Contemporary issues: The issues influencing photography today are more complex than at any other time in its history. Questions of ethics, desire, perception, digitization, and commercialization all vie for attention. Hear what the experts have to say about crucial issues such as whether or not the images we take today will last the test of time, and if so, how? When material is covered this skillfully, "concise" is no compromise. The Concise Focal Encyclopedia of Photography is packed with useful information, compelling ideas, and - best of all - pure pleasure.

迈克尔·佩雷斯（Michael R. Peres），罗彻斯特理工学院生物医学影像传播系主任，同时也是该校摄影艺术与科学学院教授。自1986年他在罗切斯特理工学院任教以来，已出版多部著作，出席百余场成果报告讲座，并在美国、瑞典、坦桑尼亚、荷兰、德国以及澳大利亚举办摄影工作 坊。佩雷斯还是伦纳特·尼尔森奖提名委员会主席。2003年，他因杰出的教学贡献被授予艾森哈特卓越教学奖。

王瑞，国际摄影文化交流策展人和协调人、摄影家、摄影评论家和摄影史学者。曾在美国和中国举办多次个展和参加国际联展，摄影作品被中美多家博物馆等机构永久收藏。发表大量摄影评论、史论、西方摄影家介绍等方面的专业文章，在中国多所大学任客座教授。曾策划和协调中国平遥国际摄影大展、中国济南当代国际摄影双年展等大型展览项目。