This year marks the 40th Anniversary of Les Rencontres d’Arles festival of photography.

For four decades, this festival has helped to define the best and brightest in photography — and it has generated quite a bit of controversy along the way, often featuring the work of iconoclasts, renegades, and troublemakers, some of whom are regarded as superstars today.

So, there is a good deal of heightened anticipation about what we will discover from this year's guest curator, New York photo legend Nan Goldin. Let's hope it's edgy and controversial, really fresh and new — and surprisingly good.

We’re delighted to feature 94 preview images from the official festival selection. As always, it's an eclectic mix. Be sure to check out our high-resolution slideshow, and check back next month for our report about our own personal discoveries from the front lines!