For over 50 years, from 1948 to 1989, ‘Modern Photography’ magazine was a well-known voice for camera fans and photographers in the United States. Published out of New York City, it showed readers new techniques, reviewed equipment, and, importantly, displayed inspiring photographs on its covers. Looking at these vintage covers today offers a glimpse into the history of photography and magazine design across several decades.
These covers weren’t just pictures; they were billboards for the magazine and the world of photography. They showed the kind of images photographers aspired to create and highlighted the topics discussed within the pages. They featured the work of different photographers, both famous and less known, giving them a platform. When the magazine stopped publishing in 1989, its covers represented a visual timeline of photography and design from the post-war era through nearly the end of the 20th century, before digital photography changed everything.
