Louisiana Lens surveys 180 years of photographic encounters with one of America’s most evocative regions: from early daguerreotypes of New Orleans landmarks to haunting post–Civil War landscapes to born-digital photographs documenting the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Author John H. Lawrence traces the development of photographic equipment and technical processes alongside the evolution of New Orleans and Louisiana over nearly two centuries.

Lawrence provides an illuminating narrative for each photograph: whether offering insight into a photograph’s composition or sharing his firsthand knowledge of the photographers themselves, he brings a keen perspective honed by decades of curatorial work. In surveying these selections, Lawrence touches on themes of architecture, music, commerce, race, arts and culture, and the changing landscapes and geographies of the US south.

The author was responsible for building THNOC’s photographic collection during his four decades at the institution. This volume serves as both a capstone of Lawrence’s career and a valuable survey of Louisiana photography.