Alex Webb 出生于1952年，从高中起便开始对摄影产生浓厚的兴趣，进入哈佛大学后，他一边主修历史与文学，一边在Carpenter视觉艺术中心学习摄影。1974年，Alex Webb从大学毕业，成为一名专业摄影记者，2年后，加入玛格南图片社，获得准会员资格。

70年代中期，Webb一直在美国南部用黑白胶片拍摄小城镇的生活，但是这一期间的黑白作品并没有多少特色，直至1978年，当他开始尝试彩色胶片后，才挖掘在彩色摄影上的惊人天赋，很快在摄影界崭露头角，一发不可收拾。

从80年代开始，Webb便获誉无数，其中最主要的包括1980年的Overseas Press Club Award，1990年的尤金史密斯基金，1998年的哈苏基金以及2000年的Leica杰出摄影成就奖。除此之外，Alex Webb的作品也收录于美国现代摄影艺术科目教科书。

The Suffering of Light isthefirst comprehensive monograph charting the career of acclaimed American photographer Alex Webb. Gathering some of his most iconic images, many of which were taken in the far corners of the earth, this exquisite book brings a fresh perspective to his extensive catalog. Recognized as a pioneer of American color photography since the 1970s, Webb has consistently created photographs characterized by intense color and light. His work, with its richly layered and complex composition, touches on multiple genres, including street photography, photojournalism, and fine art, but as Webb claims, "to me it all is photography. You have to go out and explore the world with a camera." Webb's ability to distill gesture, color and contrasting cultural tensions into single, beguiling frames results in evocative images that convey a sense of enigma, irony and humor. Featuring key works alongside previously unpublished photographs,The Suffering of Lightprovides the most thorough examination to date of this modern master's prolific, 30-year career.