An accessible, inspiring and engaging introductory survey of LGBTQIA+ photography through the collection of London's Victoria and Albert Museum.
Based on one of the oldest and largest photographic collections in the world, Calling the Shots offers an unprecedented look at the history of photography through a queer lens. Covering a wide range of global LGBTQIA+ representation from the mid-nineteenth century to the present day, the book presents images of pioneering LGBTQIA+ photographers and subjects, as well as work documenting activism and hard-won legal battles, over a century of performance, nightlife, and diverse queer communities, collectives, and subcultures.
Following an introduction by Zorian Clayton, the images are presented in six thematic sections: Icons, Staged, The Body, Freedom, Setting the Stage and Beyond the Frame. Each section opens with a short introduction, followed by an expanded plate section. Expanded captions highlight key images, and “artist in focus” inserts draw on the work of selected photographers to illuminate particularly rich moments in LGBTQIA+ history.
Bold declarations of queer identity and community sit alongside explorations of the personal self; documents of struggle, joy and everyday life are juxtaposed with performances and photographic fictions that continue to push the boundaries of gender and sexuality. This vital, accessible volume offers an exciting and wide-ranging assessment of the role of photography in expressing, documenting and celebrating queer life. It will be indispensable for anyone interested in the history of photography, but especially for those interested in LGBTQIA+ history.
