The camera has been a key element of twentieth century art and has continued to be so right through to today.

Whilst the technology has changed enormously, the way the lens allows us to record, create and observe is still a vital part of art now.

But there are other important elements of how photography functions that are relevant to our period too. For sculpture, the photographs taken by artists help us not only see the pieces, but they record how a work can change depending on setting. Photography provides vital insight into historical exhibitions and displays too, helping research into both what we display and how we do it. Some art only has a very fleeting life - only through photos are we able to disperse the experience more widely. Architectural photography is a major branch of the discipline too, helping us understand the intentions and effects which can frequently be lost over time. Artists have drawn on photographic sources too - tracing John Deakin's photographic images in Bacon's art is a vital part of understanding his paintings as is looking at the part photographic sources play in the work of Hockney or Hamilton.

So all in all, photographic images feature strongly in the books and catalogues we offer - have a browse of this selection and see if you agree with our choices!