A noted American historian of photography provides first-hand accounts of important events in the history of 20th-century photography and personal experiences of ways in which world-renowned photographs were created. Starting with his childhood in Massachusetts, Newhall goes on to recall his education in art history at Harvard, his early days with Alfred H. Barr at the Museum of Modern Art, and the creation and directorship of the International Museum of Photography at George Eastman House in New York. In doing so, he provides anecdotes of friendships with personalities such as Ansel Adams, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Charles Sheeler, Alfred Stieglitz, Paul Strand and Edward West.