The Complicit Camera, Pieter van der Houwen
What if the lens you trust to tell the truth is complicit in distorting it?
Hardcover
First edition
The Complicit Camera is a powerful and introspective visual essay by Dutch photographer Pieter van der Houwen, exploring how his own work has contributed to the Western media’s reductive portrayal of Africa. This first edition hardcover, published by ZAM in Amsterdam, pairs over 33 evocative photographs with deeply personal reflections and a compelling essay by Dutch-Liberian author Vamba Sherif.
Blending photojournalism, cultural critique, and autobiographical narrative, van der Houwen confronts the ethical dilemmas of representation, questioning the role of the photographer in shaping public perception. Through 256 richly illustrated pages, he examines how images—once released into the public domain—can lose their original intent and become tools of “othering.” This is not an apology, but a candid reckoning with complicity, power, and the need for collaborative storytelling.
Designed by renowned visual artist Erik Kessels, The Complicit Camera is a visually stunning and intellectually provocative book that challenges readers to rethink the politics of photography and the portrayal of African subjectivity in Western media.
Whether you're a collector of contemporary photography, a student of media ethics, or simply drawn to books that interrogate the world we live in, this edition is a must-have.
About the author(s):
Pieter van der Houwen is a Dutch photographer whose work spans over 25 years across African contexts. Known for his striking visual style and journalistic depth, van der Houwen has turned the lens inward in this publication, critically examining his own role in perpetuating Western narratives. His work has appeared in numerous exhibitions and publications, and The Complicit Camera marks a significant shift toward ethical introspection in visual storytelling.
Erik Kessels, the book’s designer, is a celebrated Dutch artist, curator, and co-founder of the communications agency KesselsKramer. His design work brings a layered, thought-provoking aesthetic to this edition.
Vamba Sherif, contributing essayist, is a Dutch-Liberian novelist and essayist whose work often explores identity, migration, and postcolonial themes. His essay adds a vital perspective on collaboration and representation in photography.
Product Information:
Title: The Complicit Camera
Author(s): Pieter van der Houwen
Co-author(s): Vamba Sherif (essay)
Translator: N/A
Bookdesign: Erik Kessels
Publisher: ZAM, Amsterdam
ISBN: 978908242623692700452
Language: English
Binding: Hardcover
Number of pages: 256
Illustrations: Full-colour photography
Edition: First edition, September 2024
Dimensions: 24,6 x 17,4 x 2,2 cm
Weight: Approx. 1.5 kg
Condition: New book
EAN: 978908242623692700452
Categories: Photography, Media Studies, African Studies, Cultural Critique, Ethics in Journalism
Price without shiping costs
Dit vindt u misschien ook interessant / You might also find this interesting
-38%
Rooted, Henk WildschutRooted – A moving photo book by Henk Wildschut capturing micro-gardens in refugee camps, symbolizing hope, dignity, and resilience in exile. First edition, 2019.
€ 45,00 € 28,00Gesigneerd!
De Afrikaanse weg, Ton van der LeeVan Kaapstad naar Caïro
Gesigneerd door de auteur
Eerste druk
De westerse ontwikkelingshulp van de afgelopen vijftig jaar aan Afrika is weinig succesvol gebleken. Miljarden euro's zijn geïnvesteerd, maar er is nauwelijks…€ 14,95
Beter leren kijken, Stefan van der StigchelVisuele skills in een wereld vol afleiding
Hardcover
Eerste druk, 2014
Zo goed als nieuw exemplaar
'Hoe houd je je focus? Stefan brengt rust in de chaos.'- Japke-d. Bouma
'De wetenschap achter beter leren kijken,…€ 16,95
Peter Martens 1937–1992Een eerbetoon aan de sociaal bewogen fotografie van Peter Martens.
Indringend fotoboek van de zelfkant van de samenleving. Tweetalig (NL/EN), eerste druk, zeldzaam exemplaar.€ 28,95-17%
Wereldbeelden, Raymond Rutting20 jaar fotografie van de hoogste kwaliteit
Hardcover
Eerste druk, 2019
Als geen ander weet fotograaf Raymond Rutting het alledaagse tot kunst te verheffen. Hij leeft voor die ene foto, al 35 jaar. Of hij nou voor de Volkskrant…€ 35,00 € 28,95
Loving Your Pictures, Erik Kessels and Pauline TerreehorstPostcardbook
Collected & edited by Erik Kessels.
Texts by Erik Kessels and Pauline Terreehorst.
Design by Angela Lidderdale.The collected photographic work of Erik Kessels questions matters such as authenticity, originality,…€ 35,00
Schemertijd, Jodi BieberOpgroeien met Zuid-Afrika
Hardcover
Schemertijd is het resultaat van ruim tien jaar werk van de Zuid-Afrikaanse fotografe Jodi Bieber. Dat werk begon in 1994, direct na de eerste democratische verkiezingen in Zuid-Afrika. Haar…€ 14,95
Anything Out of Nothing, Thijs HeslenfeldPhotographic nonfiction on Syrian refugees.
Anything Out of Nothing—Thijs Heslenfeld’s powerful images and Rinke Verkerk’s narratives capture hope, strength, and dignity amid crisis.€ 18,95Award-Winning!
Room 103, Jeroen KramerPhoto book with 68 striking images and essays about life in conflict zones. Winner of the Dutch Doc Award and the New York Photo Festival Book Award. Hardcover, 72 pages. First edition. Like new
€ 24,95
