Book Review: Imágenes en tránsito. Photojournalism and the Spanish Transition (1975-1982)

Abstract

Introduction: The book Imágenes en tránsito. Fotoperiodismo y Transición española (1975-1982), written by Rebeca Romero Escrivá and Lorna Beatriz Arroyo Jiménez, analyzes the role of photojournalism during the Spanish Transition, a period characterized by contradictions between emerging democracy and the remnants of Francoism. Using iconic images, the book examines how social and political tensions of the time were captured and represented. Methodology: The analysis focuses on the visual interpretation of the Transition through key photographs, exploring topics such as:

• The representation of political leaders and exiles.
• The role of rural women in a context of marginalization.
• Cultural resistance and patriarchal values conveyed through images.

The work of photographers such as Anna Turbau and Pilar Aymerich is included, highlighting how they challenged male-dominated spaces with innovative perspectives.

Results

• Contradictions of the Transition: Images like that of the Guernica encased in a bulletproof display symbolize the tensions between democratic change and the enduring Francoist structures.
• Visibility of rural women: Women are depicted as victims of a patriarchal ideology, challenging these roles through testimonies and photographs documenting their resistance.
• Dissenting photographers: The work of artists like Turbau and Aymerich stands out for dismantling dominant narratives and offering a renewed vision of female and social reality.

Discussion: The book explores how images not only documented history but also challenged official narratives, highlighting unresolved conflicts during the Transition. It also emphasizes the relevance of these photographs in constructing collective memory and advocating for marginalized sectors such as rural women and exiled artists. Conclusions: Imágenes en tránsito is a significant contribution to the study of photojournalism and its role in the visual memory of the Spanish Transition. Through a critical and diversity-focused approach, the book demonstrates how images documented not only democratic progress but also the fractures and resistance within a transforming society.