Photographs

News and stories about photographs in Getty’s collections and exhibitions

Featured

The Man Who Photographed Ghosts

A black and white photograph of a man sitting in a chair with a "ghost" behind him.

Ghost photographer William H. Mumler duped the rich, profited, and got sued

The Personal, Political Photography of Ishiuchi Miyako

A young Japanese woman and man sit together, facing the camera, in a small apartment.

A rare photographic view into women’s history in post-war Japan

Capturing the Feeling of the Ocean on Paper

How an artist-scientist uses cyanotypes to inspire a love of marine life

Latest

  1. A Summer of Queer Creativity

    Two sailor men kiss in front of a docked military boat, while people celebrate from the dock with signs, banners, and flags

    Two exhibitions celebrate LGBTQ+ art and photography

    May 20, 2025

  2. Photography Constructs and Subverts Concept of Queer Identity in New Volume

    Queer Lens book cover

    The authors explore the rich and multifaceted world of queer identity as built through photographs

    May 14, 2025

  3. The City, Through Her Eyes

    A view of a double-page spread of a book. On the left is a black and white photograph of a woman in the subway. On the right is a black-and-white photograph of parked cars in a street.

    From Buenos Aires to Dublin, explore the world’s cities through photobooks

    May 6, 2025

  4. Please Touch the Art

    Stacks of books on a light wood table in front of a window

    Explore a hands-on exhibition of books that show us the world through women’s lenses

    Mar 25, 2025

  5. Through Her Prism

    A person stands in front of a travertine wall in a well-lit indoor area with a rainbow behind them, smiling and holding a camera

    As a creative producer in photography, Cassia Davis is Getty’s visual storyteller

    Mar 11, 2025

  6. A Triptych as Compass

    María Magdalena Campos-Pons’s triptych Red Composition illuminates paths forward through reflection and spiritual guidance

    Feb 18, 2025

  7. Getty Presents María Magdalena Campos-Pons: Behold

    Side-by-side photographs in black surrounds of a woman painted with white brushstrokes leans back with a floral linen head wrapping. In her left arm she holds up long-stemmed white flowers.

    Acclaimed exhibition heads to its only the West Coast venue

    Feb 10, 2025

  8. This Moment Will Never Happen Again

    A man with gray hair, glasses, and a khaki-colored jacket stands in front of a door holding a camera

    Anthony Friedkin captured a powerful split second in LGBTQ history

    Dec 10, 2024

  9. Bring Your Binoculars

    A group of people standing on a bridge look up into the tree branches using binoculars on a foggy day.

    As sharp-eyed birders recently discovered, the Getty Center is a layover spot for migrating birds and a habitat for a variety of native species

    Dec 1, 2024

  10. Take a Paul R. Williams Tour of Palm Springs

    A midcentury beige building stands with lush landscaping and palm trees against a blue sky and scattered clouds

    You can still visit four of the pioneering architect’s buildings today

    Nov 27, 2024