Final answer:
The sentence should be completed with 'was' to show that all photographs in the exhibit were created by local artists. Photography has evolved from a focus on realism to incorporating a wide range of artistic visions, and today it is appreciated as a legitimate fine art form.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sentence "Every photo in the exhibit was taken by a local artist" indicates that each photograph showcased at the exhibit is the work of a local artist, suggesting a focus on community-created art. Photography as an art form has undergone significant transformations, from efforts to document reality in a stark, realistic manner to more artistic and fanciful interpretations.
Photographers like Alfred Stieglitz and Lewis Hine have been instrumental in shaping photography. Stieglitz captured everyday life in New York City and his work often mirrored the American Realism movement, whereas Hine used his camera to illuminate social issues.
Similarly, across different periods and locations, photography has been employed to represent the varied facets of social life—sometimes privileging the artist's viewpoint, as criticized in the works of Curtis, and other times striving for realism as seen in the West African studio photography tracked by Anthropologist Liam Buckley.
Today, contemporary photography is recognized on par with other fine arts. It is sold in galleries and featured in museums worldwide, showcasing the art form's evolution and continued relevance.