Ian Haydn Smith

An entirely fresh perspective on the history of cinema, using timelines to trace its development from the earliest moving images to now. This visual timeline for film enthusiasts makes the history of cinema—from the earliest moving images to the latest blockbusters—newly accessible by organising it chronologically. A large format makes it easy to trace the complex links between technological innovations,...

The Short Story of Photography is a new and innovative introduction to the subject of photography. Simply constructed, the book explores 50 key photographs from the first experiments in the early nineteenth century to digital photography. Accessible and concise, the book explains how, why, and when certain photographs really have changed the world. It demystifies technical jargon, giving readers a...

The Short Story of Film is a new and innovative introduction to the art of film-making. Simply constructed, the book explores 50 key movies, from superhero blockbusters to indie darlings. The design of the book allows the reader to navigate their way around key genres, movements and techniques with ease. Accessible, concise and fun to read, this pocket guide will...

Discover films that dared to be different, risked reputations and put careers in jeopardy. This is what happens when filmmakers take tradition and rip it up. In FilmQuake, Ian Haydn Smith selects the 50 movies that shook the cinematic world, telling the fascinating stories behind their creation, reception and legacy. Causing fascination and intrigue in some and rejection and scorn...

This fascinating book explores 100 of the most compelling documentaries, each with the power to change our perceptions and raise awareness of the world around us. Every so often a documentary comes along with the power to change the way you think, to share alternative perspectives, to make you furious about injustice or warm your heart. Contained in this book...