First published in 1973, this is a study of the force of photographic images which are continually inserted between experience and reality. Sontag develops further the concept of 'transparency'. When anything can be photographed and photography has destroyed the boundaries and definitions of art, a viewer can approach a photograph freely with no expectations of discovering what it means. This collection of six lucid and invigorating essays, the most famous being "In Plato's Cave," make up a deep exploration of how the image has affected society.
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"A brilliant analysis of the profound changes photographic images have made in our way of looking at the world and at ourselves over the last 140 years."—"Washington Post Book World"
"Every page of "On Photography" raises important and exciting questions about its subject and raises them in the best way.""—""The New York Times Book Review"
"A book of great importance and originality . . . All future discussion or analysis of the role of photography in the affluent mass-media societies are now bound to begin with her book."—John Berger
"Not many photographs are worth a thousand of [Susan Sontag's] words."—Robert Hughes, Time
"After Sontag, photography must be written about not only as a force in the arts, but as one that is increasingly powerful in the nature and destiny of our global society."—"Newsweek"
""On Photography" is to my mind the most original and illuminating study of the subject."—Calvin Trillin, " The New Yorker"" "
"Every page of "On Photography" raises important and exciting questions about its subject and raises them in the best way.""—""The New York Times Book Review"
"A book of great importance and originality . . . All future discussion or analysis of the role of photography in the affluent mass-media societies are now bound to begin with her book."—John Berger
"Not many photographs are worth a thousand of [Susan Sontag's] words."—Robert Hughes, Time
"After Sontag, photography must be written about not only as a force in the arts, but as one that is increasingly powerful in the nature and destiny of our global society."—"Newsweek"
""On Photography" is to my mind the most original and illuminating study of the subject."—Calvin Trillin, " The New Yorker"" "
About the Author
Susan Sontag is one of America's best-known and most admired writers. Her critical essays have established her as one of the leading commentators on contemporary culture. She is the author of several work of fiction and her non-fiction includes ILLNESS AS METAPHOR (Penguin Modern Classics). She has also written and directed four feature films and stages plays in the US and Europe.
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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By brainleek007
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm in my first year of a photography degree and this is one of the recommended texts. Despite being released in the 70's it's still very relevant.
The book is essentially a series of essays by Sontag. It's value is that Sontag knows her subject extremely well and, with reference to the great photographers, has constructed her essays in a way that really make you contemplate what photography is all about. Sontag was not a photographer herself so it's not a book of technique; it's about the interpretation and appreciation of other's work. If you're new to photographic theory as I was/am it may very well make you feel quite ignorant, as if you don't even know what a photograph really is any more. However, that's the point; to make you think. This most ubiquitous medium is now so common its almost unnoticed but the book gets under the skin of what photography is and why photographs are so appealing. It's not the easiest or lightest reading but conversely the essays are not over long.
If you're studying photography or art or are simply interested in more philosophical views on the subject I'd highly recommend this to open up new ways of thinking.
The book is essentially a series of essays by Sontag. It's value is that Sontag knows her subject extremely well and, with reference to the great photographers, has constructed her essays in a way that really make you contemplate what photography is all about. Sontag was not a photographer herself so it's not a book of technique; it's about the interpretation and appreciation of other's work. If you're new to photographic theory as I was/am it may very well make you feel quite ignorant, as if you don't even know what a photograph really is any more. However, that's the point; to make you think. This most ubiquitous medium is now so common its almost unnoticed but the book gets under the skin of what photography is and why photographs are so appealing. It's not the easiest or lightest reading but conversely the essays are not over long.
If you're studying photography or art or are simply interested in more philosophical views on the subject I'd highly recommend this to open up new ways of thinking.
37 of 43 people found the following review helpful
By D Mann
Format:Paperback
This is an exceptional book and one that is best read by flicking through and reading litery snap shots of Sontags work. If you are about to do a photography course this is the book for you and if you have ever wondered about photography this book will inform you. I read two short quotes from this book to my father in law who has no real connection with photography, he walked away and said 'i thought a photograph was just a photograph" and asked if he could borrow the book... Thats how good it is....
59 of 71 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is just a fantastic book. It is packed full of genuinely insightful material through which the reader is driven with a prose style that is clear, unprentious and energetic - often rhapsodic.
Although the book has some content that is of particular interest to those living or interested in the United States, there is plenty that would appeal to any reader interested in photography generally and as a cultural phenomenon. Consider the following:
"Most tourists feel compelled to put a camera between themselves and whatever is remarkable they encounter. Unsure of their resonses they take a picture. This gives shape to the experience: stop, take a photo and move on. The method especially appeals to people handicapped by a ruthless work ethic - Germans, Japanese and Americans. Using a camera appeases the anxiety which the work-driven feel about not working ... "
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting
Difficult to get your head around but a staple photography book for any student or general photographer, until you have read this book you cannot say you know everything about... Read more
Published 12 days ago by Laura
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sontag on Photography
Something of an iconic book written by an iconoclast. Very useful primer on photograph and photography history. Definitely worth reading
Published 1 month ago by jpm
5.0 out of 5 stars
On Photography
I'm loving this book. It's a great look at photography historically, and Sontag's conversational tone makes it accessible for just about any reader. A great book, go check it out.
Published 2 months ago by Tia S.
2.0 out of 5 stars
Gosh what a bore!!!
OK its a standard work on photography but Sontag starts well and engages the reader but then wanders off into the byways of loosely linked philosophy. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mr. Gareth Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars
QUICK DELIVERY, GREAT PRODUCT AND QUALITY PACKAGING!
I've often ordered off Amazon to find that product image doesn't match the product delivered, I can say for once that I am pleased with the fact it was exactly as stated! Read more
Published 10 months ago by DANNY M
5.0 out of 5 stars
A now classic appraisal of photography by a photographer
I can remember this book being reviewed in the photographic press when it was first released. It was a long time ago, 35-40 years, and I cannot remember the specifics but it did... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Claptonian
2.0 out of 5 stars
Before Photoshop...
This is a collection of six essays on the nature and practitioners of photography which were written by Susan Sontag in the early `70's. Read more
Published 23 months ago by John P. Jones III
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sontag's On Photography
A meaty and complex, in-depth analysis on the consequences from the development of the photographic process, it's influences on art,culture and society and it's long fight to be... Read more
Published on 11 May 2011 by Miranda
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Fast
The book came very quickly to my house. Overall it was a very smooth process and I would buy from them again.
Published on 8 Mar 2011 by AaronH
5.0 out of 5 stars
Christmas presents
The two books ordered came very quickly. They were Christmas presents for my son. The packaging in perfect condition. Thank you very much and a Happy New Year to you all.
Published on 1 Jan 2011 by Katag
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