A companion to the State Library of Victoria's 'As modern as tomorrow' exhibition. Includes images held in our Pictures Collection and links to external sites. Explores individual photographers and photographic styles.
Woman walking along footpath next to brick building, Mark Strizic, ca 1950-1959, H2008.11/1333
Pedestrains in front of Prouds, Bourke Street, Melbourne, Mark Strizic, ca 1950-1960, H2008.11/1811
Playground, Maggie Diaz, ca 1960-ca 1969
Migrant workers, Maggie Diaz, ca 1962- ca 1969
The photography of Dorothea Lange and Walker Evans profoundly influenced subsequent documentary photographers.
As modern as tomorrow: photographers in postwar Melbourne showcased striking commercial photography from the Library's collection.
Displayed with the corporate and advertising material in which they originally appeared, the photographs provided unique insights into the changing social fabric of mid-20th-century Melbourne.
Featured photographers included Maggie Diaz, Norman Ikin, Helmut Newton, Athol Shmith, Wolfgang Sievers, Mark Strizic, Dacre Stubbs and Henry Talbot.
Working in fields as varied as fashion, advertising, architectural and industrial photography, the talented group of commercial photographers had an eye for capturing images unlike anything Australia had ever seen.
The exhibition was held from 1 July 2011 to 5 February 2012.
Some international influences
International and Australian
