A Fearless Eye: The Photography of Barbara Ramos

San Francisco and California, 1969–1973

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Pub Date Feb 11 2025 | Archive Date Feb 10 2025

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Description

A captivating volume that transports us onto the San Francisco streets of the 1970s through the black-and-white images ofa previously unknown master of 20th-century photography, Barbara Ramos.

Unearthed fifty years after they were originally taken, Ramos's photographs offer up stirring scenes from everyday life—a group of Hari Krishnas sing on Market Street, a window dresser changes a mannequin at the Union Square Macy’s, two men lean in for a kiss at a peace rally in Golden Gate Park. A Fearless Eye brings Ramos's images to print for the very first time, introducing audiences to a photographer whose work belongs alongside that of Robert Frank, Diane Arbus, and Vivian Maier.

Featuring a preface by award-winning novelist and essayist Rachel Kushner, an essay by photography historian Sally Stein, and an interview with Ramos by photographer and writer Stephen A. Heller, this enthralling street photography book is a fascinating time capsule of a bygone moment in California history.

FILM PHOTOGRAPHY BOOK: In his profile of Barbara Ramos in Black & White magazine, Stephen A. Heller calls her photographs “startling in their humanity, objectivity, and originality," observing that they "deserve to share center stage with those of Frank, Maier, Arbus, and Friedlander.” A Fearless Eye provides an exciting introduction to this previously unsung talent through a curated selection of Ramos's incredible archival images.

REDISCOVERED FEMALE ARTIST: Throughout the early 1970s, Barbara Ramos became obsessed with exploring the world through her camera, but she was forced to switch careers to make a living at the time. The rediscovery of her photographs is now leading to overdue public recognition of her work, including a prominent Black & White magazine profile and an exhibit at the Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica.

SAN FRANCISCO HISTORY GEM: This volume celebrates the people and history of San Francisco. It's a charming tribute to the city with a uniquely vintage visual flavor, a must-have for longtime residents and visitors alike. 

Perfect for:
  • Lovers of vintage, historical, and street photography
  • San Francisco residents, visitors, and armchair historians
  • Museum-goers and fans of such renowned American photographers as Diane Arbus, Vivian Maier, and Robert Frank
  • Fans of Barbara Ramos's unconventional story and unparalleled work
A captivating volume that transports us onto the San Francisco streets of the 1970s through the black-and-white images ofa previously unknown master of 20th-century photography, Barbara Ramos.

...

Available Editions

EDITION Hardcover
ISBN 9781797230023
PRICE $35.00 (USD)
PAGES 96

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Featured Reviews

Great collection of strangely ethereal photographs. Like taking a time machine back to 60s/70s California. Every shot is a glimpse into a life, not just a moment in time. I found myself taking a long pause on each shot to take in every detail and wonder about the subjects. The titles were nicely descriptive and naturally humorous at times. The essays worked fine for me. Photographs do speak for themselves but it’s always nice to get a peek behind the curtain. You can tell the photographer cared about what was being framed and shot. A rare find these days.

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This book taps into my love of black and white film photography and what it adds to street photography. I loved how she had images of a wide array of people both in age and color during this time frame. It makes the story of California being shown feel much more raw and in the moment.

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*A Fearless Eye* is a stunning rediscovery of Barbara Ramos’s street photography, capturing 1970s San Francisco in all its raw, human beauty. From peace rallies to window dressers, her photos are vivid time capsules brimming with life. Long overlooked, Ramos’s work now gets its well-deserved spotlight, standing proudly alongside legends like Diane Arbus and Vivian Maier. With essays, an interview, and unforgettable images, this book is a must for photography lovers, San Francisco enthusiasts, and anyone who adores a good "lost artist found" story!

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