Camera (Japanese magazine)

Camera (カメラ) was a highly influential Japanese photography magazine published from 1921 to 1956. It played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of Japanese photography and promoting the development of modernist and avant-garde photographic styles.

The magazine served as a key platform for showcasing the work of emerging and established Japanese photographers. It was known for its critical essays, exhibition reviews, and technical articles, fostering a lively dialogue around photographic theory and practice. Camera actively championed new approaches to photography, including pictorialism, straight photography, and later, more experimental and subjective styles.

Notable photographers who were featured in Camera include figures who later became central to Japanese photographic history. The magazine's editorial direction often reflected the changing social and political context of Japan during the early to mid-20th century, impacting the aesthetic trends that it promoted.

The magazine's closure in 1956 marked a significant moment in Japanese photographic history, signaling a shift towards other publications and venues for photographic discourse. However, its legacy continues to be recognized for its contribution to the development of a distinct Japanese photographic identity and its role in disseminating knowledge about photography to a wider audience. The magazine remains a valuable resource for researchers and historians interested in the history of Japanese photography and visual culture.