Paul Conroy, award-winning British photojournalist and war correspondent known for his courageous coverage of conflicts in Syria, Libya, Iraq, and Gaza; he survived severe injuries in Homs, Syria, in 2012 while embedded with the Free Syrian Army and has since advocated for press freedom and humanitarian aid.
The black-and-white photograph shows him as a middle-aged man with a weathered, resolute expression, gazing directly at the camera; he has short graying hair, a trimmed beard and mustache, deep-set eyes, and stands outdoors on a city street with blurred buildings and pedestrians in the background, wearing a dark jacket over a black shirt, conveying quiet strength and experience.
The world was a better place with you in it. Thank you for your courage & your conviction--even after your injury in the attack that killed Marie Colvin in Syria, you never stopped bearing witness. Your loss will be felt profoundly by all who knew you.
Goodnight and godspeed, Paul Conroy. π―οΈ
01.03.2026 01:12 β
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A dramatic black-and-white photograph taken by amateur photographer Virginia Margaret (Brown) Schau on May 3, 1953, capturing a life-or-death rescue on the Pit River Bridge in Northern California. The image shows a large semi-truck trailer dangling precariously off the edge of the bridge, suspended by its rear wheels hooked on the guardrail. Paul Overby, one of two drivers trapped in the cab of a truck, is being pulled to safety by a rope. Overby and co-driver Hank Baum were rescued moments before the cab crashed and burned the rocks below. Virginia Schau was on fishing trip when she saw the accident, she grabbed her camera as her husband and another motorist rescued the drivers. Schau's photo won the $10 prize in the Sacramento Bee's weekly photo contest as well as making her the first woman and second amateur to win the Pulitzer Prize for Photography.Β
A close-up photograph of a classic vintage Kodak Brownie camera, model Six-20 Brownie Target Six-20 or similar, produced in the mid-20th century. The simple black box camera has a textured black leatherette covering, silver metallic accents, and a prominent circular lens surrounded by a striped silver frame. It features two small viewfinder windows on top (one for framing, one for viewing), a simple shutter release button, a film advance knob, and the iconic "Kodak Brownie" branding with "Made by Kodak" text. The camera is shown from a three-quarter angle against a neutral background, evoking the era of affordable snapshot photography that made cameras accessible to everyday people, including amateur photographers like Virginia Schau who captured her Pulitzer-winning rescue image with a similar Brownie model in 1953.
Rescue on Pit River Bridge, May 3, 1953
by amateur photographer Virginia (Brown) Schau
Schau was the first woman & second amateur to win the Pulitzer Prize for Photography (1954). This winning photograph was taken with a Kodak Brownie camera. She was born #OTD in 1915. #photography #FemalePhotogs
23.02.2026 16:12 β
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Black-and-white photograph by Esther Bubley titled "Greyhound Bus Terminal, New York City," 1947. Two sharply dressed Black men sit side by side on a wooden bench in a crowded bus station waiting area. The man on the left, wearing a dark fedora and suit, leans back thoughtfully with his hand to his chin, eyes gazing upward. The man on the right, in a pinstripe suit, fedora, white shirt, tie, and pocket square, sits with one arm resting on his hip, looking toward his companion with a calm, attentive expression. Background passengers in hats and coats fill the busy terminal, evoking mid-century American travel, quiet conversation, and everyday dignity in post-war urban life.
Black-and-white portrait of American documentary photographer Esther Bubley, circa 1940sβ1950s. A young woman with dark, shoulder-length wavy hair and bangs stands against a textured wall, gazing with a thoughtful, confident expression. She wears a tailored suit jacket with wide lapels over a collared shirt and tie, with a Rolleiflex twin-lens reflex camera hanging from a strap around her neck, its twin lenses and viewfinder prominently visible at chest level. The composition captures her poised, professional presence as a pioneering female photojournalist of the mid-20th century.
Greyhound Bus Station, New York City, 1947
by photographer Esther Bubley
Bubly was an American photographer who specialized in expressive photos of ordinary people in their everyday lives. She was born #OTD in 1921.
#photography #FemalePhotogs
16.02.2026 17:08 β
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Black-and-white 1999 photograph by Sharon Farmer: Rosa Parks, aged 86. She wears glasses, her white hair upswept, her face lit with an exuberant, open-mouthed smile that crinkles her eyes and reveals pure joy. Another woman is to the left of her. A microphone stands close in the foreground, and the overall background is dark.
Rosa Parks, 1999
by Sharon Farmer
Farmer made history as the first Black woman White House photographer.
Rosa Parks was born #OTD in 1913.
#photography #BHM #FemalePhotogs
04.02.2026 17:42 β
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Black-and-white self-portrait of Vivian Maier (1926β2009), the reclusive American street photographer whose vast archive of over 100,000 images was discovered posthumously and has since established her as one of the 20th century's most significant street photographers. She stands outdoors, gazing directly and intently at the camera with a serious, introspective expression. Her short, tousled hair frames her face, and she wears a plaid or checkered button-up shirt. She holds her signature twin-lens reflex Rolleiflex camera (a medium-format Rolleiflex with twin lenses and waist-level viewfinder) up to her eye, strap around her neck, composing the shot with quiet determination. The image captures her solitary, observant nature and technical skill, taken by Maier herself using a mirror, reflection, or self-timer technique common in her self-portraits.
Black-and-white street photograph by Vivian Maier, taken in New York City (likely Times Square or a bustling mid-century urban area, circa 1950s). The central subject is a young man (teen or early 20s) with tousled hair, wearing a casual collared shirt with rolled sleeves, dark trousers, and a belt, standing on a sidewalk. One pigeon is sitting on his left with a second pigeon caught in mid landing with wings extended upward. His expression is concentrated and almost reverent. In the background, large advertising billboards and signs loom prominently, including "SPAGHETTI Served Here" with a pasta illustration and "PLANTERS NUTS" (or similar), along with other marquees, pedestrians, and city details that evoke the vibrant, gritty energy of 1950s New York street life. Maier's signature empathetic eye for everyday human moments and urban textures shines through in this candid, compassionate capture.
Vivian Maier was born #OTD in 1926.
She privately took >100,000 photos--only found when her unpaid storage contents were auctioned off. Posthumously, she became one of the 20th centuryβs greatest street photographers.
findingvivianmaier.com
#streetphotography #photography #FemalePhotogs
01.02.2026 19:02 β
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Vintage portrait photograph of Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809β1892), the eminent Victorian poet and Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom. He is depicted in a three-quarter view against a dark, softly shadowed background, gazing slightly off to the side with a contemplative expression. Tennyson has a high, balding forehead, long wavy hair curling at the sides, and a full, bushy beard and mustache that are graying. He wears a dark velvet or wool coat with a white shirt collar visible underneath, a dark bow tie or cravat, and the overall style reflects formal 19th-century Victorian attire. The dramatic lighting and rich tonal contrast emphasize his thoughtful, distinguished presence in this late-life portrait.
Vintage portrait photograph of Julia Margaret Cameron (1815β1879), the pioneering Victorian photographer renowned for her artistic and expressive portraits. She is seated in a three-quarter view against a dark, softly focused background, looking to the right with a calm, introspective expression. Cameron has long, straight dark hair partially covered by a draped hood or shawl of patterned fabric with ornate borders, and she wears a heavy, textured shawl or cloak wrapped around her shoulders with intricate paisley-like designs, a dark dress beneath, and her hands clasped in her lap. The soft focus, rich shadows, and warm tonal range are characteristic of her own photographic style, capturing her in a posed, contemplative moment.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1869
by English photographer Julia Margaret Cameron
Cameron was one of the most important portraitists of the 19th century, known for her soft-focus close-ups of famous Victorians. She took up #photography at age 48. She died #OTD in 1879.
#PortraitPhotography #FemalePhotogs
26.01.2026 14:54 β
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You're welcome! It was the first one I had ever seen too.
26.01.2026 05:02 β
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This is one of the only color photographs of Virginia Woolf & her last professional portrait.
bsky.app/profile/fema...
25.01.2026 15:52 β
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A formal, half-length portrait of Booker T. Washington (ca. 1895), the renowned Black educator, author, orator, and founder/principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute. He is seated and wearing a classic three-piece pinstriped suit with a high white collar, black bow tie, and vest, a pocket watch chain draped across the front. His expression is calm, direct, and dignified as he gazes straight at the camera with steady eyes. The dark, textured studio backdrop and soft lighting emphasize his composed features and the refined tailoring of his attire.
Booker T. Washington, c. 1895
by photographer Frances Benjamin Johnston
Washington was the founder & first principal of the Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University).
Johnston, well-known for her portraits (& rightfully so) was born #OTD in 1864. #photography #FemalePhotogs
15.01.2026 16:19 β
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A black-and-white photograph by Tina Modotti titled "Woman of Tehuantepec," taken circa 1929. It depicts a Tehuana woman from southern Mexico in profile, gazing into the distance with a calm expression. She balances a large, ornate calabash (jΓcara or painted gourd) decorated with floral patterns on her head, holding it steady with her raised right hand. She wears traditional attire including embroidered blouse with geometric patterns, a necklace with a pendant, and small hoop earrings, against a dark background that emphasizes her dignified pose.
A black-and-white studio portrait of Tina Modotti, a young woman with short dark hair, gazing directly at the camera with a serious and introspective expression. She wears a dark cloche hat adorned with a feather on the right side, a high-collared light scarf, and a dark jacket. The photograph is signed in cursive handwriting in the lower right corner with a message and signed "Tina."
Woman of Tehuantepec, 1929
by Tina Modotti (right)
Italian photographer Tina Modotti documented the post-revolutionary era in Mexico. She died #OTD in 1942.
#photography #FemalePhotogs
05.01.2026 16:49 β
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A black-and-white photograph by Eve Arnold captures Marilyn Monroe in a contemplative moment at a craps table in a dimly lit casino in Reno, Nevada, during the filming of The Misfits in 1960. Monroe, with her signature platinum blonde hair softly styled, leans forward on the padded edge of the table, resting her chin on her folded arms, gazing downward with a pensive, melancholic expression that conveys vulnerability and introspection. She wears a sleeveless top, her posture relaxed yet weary. In the blurred background, out-of-focus figures. The high-contrast lighting highlights Monroe's face and form while casting dramatic shadows, emphasizing her isolation amid the surroundings.
Eve Arnold photographed Marilyn Monroe for more than 10 years. Image is Marilyn on the set of The Misfits, 1961. Look at that lighting! Eve Arnold died #OTD in 2012.
BBC #documentary "Marilyn Monroe and #Photographer Eve Arnold youtube.com/watch?v=_DPo... #photography #FemalePhotogs
04.01.2026 16:17 β
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Nancy Astor, c. 1919
by photographer Olive Edis
Nancy Astor made history as Britain's first female Member of Parliament to take her seat in the House of Commons.
Olive Edis was Britain's first war photographer. She died #OTD in 1955.
#photography #FemalePhotogs
28.12.2025 14:50 β
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I saw this portrait of Simone de Beauvoir by Freund years ago. One of my all-time favorites. The more work of hers I found, the more of a fan I became. The color photograph of Woolf was the only one I'd ever seen. Loved it. Glad you do too!
19.12.2025 23:09 β
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A black-and-white self-portrait of Gisèle Freund in a medium shot. Freund stands behind a Rolleiflex twin-lens reflex camera mounted on a small tripod. She is looking directly at the lens and is holding a cable release in her left hand. She has dark, curly hair and is wearing a dark, button-down shirt with a patterned scarf around her neck and a ring on her finger. The background is simple and uncluttered, focusing attention on the photographer and her equipment.
Color portrait of Virginia Woolf, with her head turned slightly to the viewer's left and her eyes cast downwards in a pensive expression. The photograph, taken in 1939 by Gisèle Freund, highlights her fine facial features, including prominent eyes and the lines on her forehead and neck. Her graying hair is pulled back, and she wears a dark garment with a distinctive white, ruffled collar. The background is a soft, blurred mix of warm, reddish-brown tones.
L: Self-portrait, 1952
R: Virginia Woolf, 1939
by Gisèle Freund
Freund, born #OTD in 1908, did pioneering work in color photojournalism & intimate portraits of literary figures. This is one of the only color photographs of Virginia Woolf & the last professional portrait #photography #FemalePhotogs
19.12.2025 22:14 β
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@hundredheroines.org
@femalephotogs.bsky.social
@admirablewomen.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social
18.12.2025 20:31 β
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Black-and-white portrait of Maira Erlich. She has short, tightly curled hair and is resting her head thoughtfully on her right hand, fingers touching her temple. She wears a striped sweater over a dark shirt and looks directly at the camera with a calm, slightly wry half-smile. The lighting is soft and even, creating a classic, introspective studio photograph.
Neighborhoods throughout the coastal city of MaceiΓ³ in Brazil are sinking into the ground after decades of rock salt mining. The destruction has displaced tens of thousands of residents like DamiΓ£o Carlos da Silva, who was forced into temporary housing nearby after losing his home. He finds solace in the precious moments of life, such as this one shared with his pet chick.
Close-up portrait of an older man wearing a brown cowboy hat tilted slightly forward. His eyes are gently closed and his weathered face glistens with sweat in the warm sunlight. A small, fluffy chick with mottled brown and black feathers rests tenderly against his cheek and neck, its own eyes closed as if sleeping. The background is softly blurred with hints of green foliage and a warm golden light.
Shoulder to Lean On
by MaΓra Erlich, Brazilian documentary photographer
Selected as one of National Geographic's Pictures of the Year for 2025. Caption in alt.
www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/...
mairaerlich.com #photography #FemalePhotogs
11.12.2025 15:30 β
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A black-and-white portrait of photographer Berenice Abbott. She stands indoors beside a large-format view camera mounted on a sturdy tripod, peering intently into the viewfinder as if composing a shot. Dressed in a pleated skirt, jacket, and scarf, with short dark hair and a serious expression, she embodies the focused professionalism of the era. Behind her, a spotlight on a stand illuminates the room, while a fireplace and shelves of books are visible in the background.
A dramatic 1933 black-and-white photograph by Berenice Abbott of the New York Stock Exchange building on Wall Street. The massive neoclassical faΓ§ade with its towering Corinthian columns and sculptural pediment looms upward, framed tightly from a low angle between neighboring skyscrapers. In the foreground, vintage cars and pedestrians in 1930s attire move along the busy street, while American flags hang from the building. The high-contrast image emphasizes the monumental scale and grandeur of the financial landmark against the canyon-like urban street.
Photographer Berenice Abbott died #OTD in 1991.
She is known for her shots of NYC's #architecture and urban design in the 1930s. This is a shot of the NY Stock Exchange, 1933, as part of her Changing New York project. Look at that light! π #photography #blackandwhitephotography #art #FemalePhotogs
09.12.2025 19:08 β
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Black-and-white portrait of Homai Vyarawalla, Indiaβs first female photojournalist, standing indoors beside a window. She is dressed in a simple short-sleeved blouse and a draped sari, holding a large vintage twin-lens reflex camera, gazing confidently to her right with a slight smile. The soft natural light from the window highlights her poised and determined expression.
Iconic Images By #Indiaβs First Female Photographer, Homai Vyarawalla. She was born #OTD in 1913.
thequint.com/photos/iconi...
#photography #photojournalism #FemalePhotogs
09.12.2025 16:29 β
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Through their eyes: Meet the women in Iraq using #photography to create solidarity
Iraqi Female Photographers is a collective addressing systemic sexism, a lack of womenβs stories and institutional support in the country
www.1854.photography/2025/11/iraq... #FemalePhotogs
07.12.2025 16:02 β
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Black-and-white 1999 photograph by Sharon Farmer: Rosa Parks, aged 86. She wears glasses, her white hair upswept, her face lit with an exuberant, open-mouthed smile that crinkles her eyes and reveals pure joy. Another woman is to the left of her. A microphone stands close in the foreground, and the overall background is dark.
Rosa Parks, 1999
by Sharon Farmer
Farmer made history as the first Black woman White House photographer.
#OTD in 1955 Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus, got arrested, and sparked the boycott of the Montgomery bus system.
#photography #FemalePhotogs
01.12.2025 15:26 β
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Black-and-white close-up portrait of Greta Garbo from 1927. She gazes upward with her signature enigmatic expression, lips slightly parted. Her hair is styled in a sleek, shiny 1920s bob, and she wears a shimmering metallic headscarf and scarf that catch the light dramatically. The MGM credit βMGM-772β appears in the lower left corner.
Greta Garbo, 1927
by Ruth Harriet Louise
Louise was the first woman photographer active in Hollywood, where she ran MGM's portrait studio from 1925 to 1930.
#photography #portraitphotography #FemalePhotogs
30.11.2025 18:39 β
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Candid image of Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Carol Guzy smiling warmly at the camera while holding a Nikon professional camera with a long lens. She has short light-colored hair, wears a purple shirt and hoop earrings, and stands outdoors. The background is blurred.
After her husband was detained by ICE agents on Aug. 20, a woman with her child wept outside a federal building in New York City; a security guard (left) was moved to tears as well. Photo by Carol Guzy.
American photojournalist Carol Guzy has won a Pulitzer Prize 4 times--1 of only 5 people to do so (across categories). She was the 1st journalist.
One of her photos was included in TIME's Top 100 Photos of 2025 (caption in alt). #photography #immigration
www.carolguzy.com/
time.com/7336112/top-...
28.11.2025 18:22 β
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Love this shot, Kadir. Evokes emotion.
17.11.2025 03:54 β
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A historical photograph by Berenice Abbott from 1936 captures the vast, majestic interior of the original Pennsylvania Station in New York City. The grand concourse features a soaring arched ceiling made of intricate iron latticework and expansive glass panels that allow diffused natural light to flood the space, creating a hazy, ethereal atmosphere. Massive vertical iron columns with decorative cross-bracing support the structure, framing the scene. In the background, large arched windows line the walls, and ornate chandeliers hang from the ceiling. The polished floor reflects the light, with a few scattered passengers in period attire walking or standing near ticket counters and railings. A prominent clock is visible on the far wall, emphasizing the station's role as a bustling hub of travel during the era.
A vintage black-and-white portrait photograph captures Berenice Abbott, a young woman with sleek, dark hair styled in a smooth bob with straight bangs across her forehead. She rests her chin thoughtfully on her folded hands, gazing directly at the camera with a subtle, enigmatic smile. Her fair skin is softly lit from the side, casting gentle shadows that highlight her high cheekbones, arched eyebrows, and full lips. She wears a dark jacket with a visible button and a small brooch near the collar. The background is a plain, textured studio backdrop with minor scratches and imperfections typical of early photographic prints, evoking a sense of introspective elegance from the era.
Pennsylvania Station, New York, 1936
by Berenice Abbott
Abbott's "Changing New York" project (and subsequent book, 1939) was a milestone in the history of #photography.
#NYC #bnwphotography #architecture
17.11.2025 02:38 β
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