Putting together a special issue dedicated to Swiss photography makes one realize: “small country, major photography.” Beyond the legendary Swiss perfection, we see a medley of styles on display. With humor and a poetic sensibility, the images question not only our reality, but the more specific reality of Swiss culture.

Standing on the shoulders of a great documentary tradition (revisited here with subtlety), contemporary Swiss photography is a model for excellence. Its vitality can be attributed not only to an abundance of art schools, but also to the support of both public and private institutions: museums, publishers, foundations, banks, patrons, and so on. The affinity of their methods and approaches with those of the international photography scene, makes these photographers’ output all the more distinguished in our eyes—and given their success, also in the eyes of the international art market.