Photographic Arts Council Los Angeles and ROSEGALLERY are pleased to host a discussion and book signing with Sally Stein to celebrate her new publication, “Close-Ups From Afar. Selected Short and Longer Essays On Social Uses Of Photography,” on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 2:00pm at ROSEGALLERY in Santa Monica. Capacity for this free-to-attend event is limited. For more information and to register please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pac-la-discussion-and-book-signing-with-sally-stein-tickets-1800929210749
Sally Stein has long investigated the role of photography in relation to broader questions of culture and society. “Close-Ups From Afar. Selected Short and Longer Essays On Social Uses Of Photography” is a collection of Stein’s selected essays that brings together essential writings from over five decades, cumulatively demonstrating her distinctive critical approach to the history and proliferation of photography, and its role within mass media and contemporary culture.
In this richly illustrated volume, Stein turns her astute eye to diverse topics including the rise of color photography, the place of California in the history of the medium’s development, and women and photography between feminism’s “waves.” It includes insightful considerations of a host of photographers from Jacob Riis to Dawoud Bey, Ansel Adams to Helmut Newton, Dorothea Lange to Susan Meiselas. Consistently Stein has sought to challenge readers to think afresh about the social uses of photography and their broader contexts and far-reaching effects. Stein will sign copies of “Close-Ups From Afar. Selected Short and Longer Essays On Social Uses Of Photography.” The book will be available for purchase at ROSEGALLERY and is also available on the Mack Publishing website: https://www.mackbooks.us/products/close-ups-from-afar-sally-stein
Location
ROSEGALLERY
2525 Michigan Avenue, B5B
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Parking
There is plenty of free parking surrounding the gallery at Bergamot Station. PAC LA encourages carpooling.
Photographic Arts Council Los Angeles
This year, PAC LA has been presenting its free public event series, “Year of the Woman,” celebrating notable women in fine art photography. The yearlong program—continuing into early 2026—honors the contributions of women across all sectors of photography, including curators, collectors, authors, artists, gallerists, and conservators. Events are held both in person at venues throughout Los Angeles and online. To learn more, visit https://paclosangeles.com/press-release-year-of-the-woman
Images on left from © “Ladies Home Journal,” October 1929.
Image on right © Susan Meiselas, Marketplace in Diriamba, from “Nicaragua,” 1978.
