Alex Webb 齣生於1952年，從高中起便開始對攝影産生濃厚的興趣，進入哈佛大學後，他一邊主修曆史與文學，一邊在Carpenter視覺藝術中心學習攝影。1974年，Alex Webb從大學畢業，成為一名專業攝影記者，2年後，加入瑪格南圖片社，獲得準會員資格。

70年代中期，Webb一直在美國南部用黑白膠片拍攝小城鎮的生活，但是這一期間的黑白作品並沒有多少特色，直至1978年，當他開始嘗試彩色膠片後，纔挖掘在彩色攝影上的驚人天賦，很快在攝影界嶄露頭角，一發不可收拾。

從80年代開始，Webb便獲譽無數，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年的哈蘇基金以及2000年的Leica傑齣攝影成就奬。除此之外，Alex Webb的作品也收錄於美國現代攝影藝術科目教科書。

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 Featuring key works alongside previously unpublished photographs,The Suffering of Lightprovides the most thorough examination to date of this modern master's prolific, 30-year career.