This book opens with, "PHOTOGRAPHY is a new way of seeing," thus establishing both it's relatively early date and an attitude for what is to come. Abbott is a major figure in twentieth century photography for two reasons beyond this book and her other writing; she helped preserve and bring the work of Eugene Atget to the attention of the world (he is now recognized as one of history's greatest photographers) and the documentation she made of New York City, inspired in part by Atget.
Her instruction book is thus important as insight to both her methods and her thinking. The advice is dated, oriented to the large format cameras that were her primary tools, but sound. The examples of her own and other's work given on glossy plates are well chosen, often from historically noted work.

abbott wrote a very fine book about photography and used a remarkably fine set of images by others to illustrate her text,a real gem...