Fit to Print: New hardback publication explores the Fairfax Photographic archive
- New coffee-table book curated by photographer Mike Bowers features over 150 black and white photographs from Australia’s past
- Showcases iconic images which appeared in publications such as The Sydney Morning Herald, The Sun and Sydney Mail
- Based on the National Library of Australia’s popular 2025 exhibition , Fit to Print: Defining Moments from the Fairfax Photo Archive
(L) Cover image, Fit to Print: Defining Moments from the Fairfax Photo Archive, and (R) Mike Bowers
(L) Cover image, Fit to Print: Defining Moments from the Fairfax Photo Archive, and (R) Mike Bowers
At its very best, photojournalism can define a moment, a movement, an era or a whole generation. It can bring down a careless politician or elevate them to a winning status, it can lift a weary spirit and sometimes it can move opinions and the way we view the world.
Fit to Print is a glorious visual journey into the past, allowing us to explore how much has changed and what has stayed the same.
Selected from a collection comprising over 18,000 glass-plate negatives and covering the period from 1890 to 1948, the book illuminates both key events and moments of daily life during this time. Themes include rural and urban spaces, industry, politicians, celebrities, sporting and social events, and momentous occasions such as the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Mike Bowers curated the 2025 exhibition, Fit to Print, which welcomed almost 50,000 visitors to the Library. In this extended second edition publication, Mike examines the craft of early photojournalism.
The artistry within many of the photographs is now easy to see…at the time, however, it was unusual just how many of the photographs in the archive represented a striking step towards photographic modernism.
This book is a highly recommended addition to the bookshelves of anyone with an interest in photography, journalism, social history and the history of New South Wales.
Fit to Print: Defining Moments from the Fairfax Photo Archive is available from bookstores on 1 October.
The Fairfax Photographic Archive can be accessed anytime online via Trove. The Library’s previous exhibitions can be viewed virtually on our website, dating back to 2022.
About Mike Bowers
Mike Bowers found his love of photography while still at school. After working in the darkrooms of the Australian National University and the Australian War Memorial in Canberra he embarked on a career in photojournalism. Mike spent 37 years in the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery working for a number of publications including The Australian, The Age, BRW, Time, The Daily Telegraph and The Sydney Morning Herald.
He covered five federal election campaigns and has accompanied three prime ministers on assignments both around Australia and overseas. He has published three books; Gallipoli Untold Stories, The Big Picture: 175 Years of The Sydney Morning Herald and A Century of Pictures: 100 years of Herald photography. Mike is now a freelance photographer and host of Talking Pictures on the ABC’s Insiders program.
Media kit
Mike Bowers is available for interview. Please contact us to enquire.
Browse the Fairfax Photographic Archive on Trove
View the Fit to Print exhibition online
Images for media use are available via our Dropbox
Media enquiries
Lauren Conron | Media Liaison
0401 226 697 | media@nla.gov.au