The early history of photography in America coincided with the Euro-American settlement of the West. This thoughtful book argues that the rich history of western photography cannot be understood by focusing solely on the handful of well-known photographers whose work has come to define the era.

The early history of photography in America coincided with the Euro-American settlement of the West. This book argues that the history of western photography cannot be understood by focusing solely on the handful of well-known photographers whose work has come to define the era. Rachel Sailor points out that most photographers in the West produced images for their local communities. These pictures didn't just entertain the settlers but gave them a way to understand their new home.