How to Look At Photographs: Reflections on the Art of Seeing [Paperback]

David Finn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1994 | ISBN-10: 0810925532 | ISBN-13: 978-0810925533 | Edition: 1

A book on the art of photography, which tells the reader how to learn to read and appreciate fine photography. It is a general book which is a collection of impressions and experiences that the author has amassed in his own decades of photographic exploration.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This readable little book offers a pleasing and knowledgeable overview of serious photography. Unlike more scholarly efforts, this title is written in an informal, easily accessible style. Throughout, Finn (One Man's Henry Moore, Black Swan, 1993) emphasizes developing one's personal response to photography, which, some might argue, is the only sensible way to approach an art form. Given the deep interest in photography, it is surprising that so few accounts recommending a personal approach have been published. Amply illustrated with photographs by acknowledged masters as well as with the author's own work, this book is enhanced by its attention to design and production. Highly recommended for public and academic libraries.
Raymond Bial, Parkland Coll. Lib., Champaign, Ill.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams; 1 edition (March 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810925532
• ISBN-13: 978-0810925533
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 1.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #598,231 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars How to Look At Photographs, June 21, 2000

By 

christina mann - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Look At Photographs: Reflections on the Art of Seeing (Paperback)

David Finn touches on many key points with looking at photographs. He works with you in the book to try to create your own vision in looking at photographs. The book is very diverse, he pulls many peoples insights in this book which i enjoyed. As you read you find youself "seeing" not just looking...you grow as you read on. You will start understanding images as a form of art. Finn's information is far from boring..or dry( in which i was afraid of) The reading is very enjoyable. At the end you are places with a tool you use in your viewing of images which you can forever use and improve.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not helpful in the Least, October 27, 2003

By 

Matthew Rabin "mm_rabin" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Look At Photographs: Reflections on the Art of Seeing (Paperback)

Too amorphous and self-referential to be helpful. The author emphasizes extreme subjectivity instead of a more useful, systematic framework for reading photographic text.

There's no room for aesthetics here. Finn implies that the act of looking is so highly personal as to preclude the use of any criteria in evaluating art. Not only an intellectual dead-end, but also a justification for mediocrity. And, no offense to Mr. Finn, but his own work appears just that: amateurish compared to the included "masters."

Skip this one and check out "Criticizing Photographs: An Introduction to Understanding Images" by Terry Barrett.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars What are they thinking?, April 11, 2005

By 

Pond Turtle "TP" (SE Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Look At Photographs: Reflections on the Art of Seeing (Paperback)

I see no connection at all between the content of this book and how to look at photographs. It includes timeless historic photographs and Finn's own less than remarkable examples of the craft. What it does not include is any framework whatsoever as a guide to looking at photographs. Where was the editor? Is this vanity press? Jeez.