La Unión de Informadores Gráficos de Prensa (UIGP): aportaciones al fotoperiodismo en la Segunda República española

During the Second Spanish Republic, a considerable change was produced in photo-journalism, due to the use of the new small format cameras (Leica and Contax) and to the incessant social, cultural and political changes and developments. In 1934, the Unión de Informadores Gráficos de Prensa (UIGP) was founded in Madrid, whose main goal was to defend the rights of the photographers in the exercise of their profession. During a period of two and a half years, until the military uprising in July of 1936, this Union was responsible for controlling the activities of the press photographers who were working for the leading daily newspapers, magazines and agencies with headquarters in the capital. This article covers the creation and activities of the UIGP, based initially on the analysis of the Association’s hitherto unpublished documentation.