Looking at Photographs: 100 Pictures from the Collection of The Museum of Modern Art [Paperback]

John Szarkowski (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1976

Originally published in 1973, this marvelous collection of photographs with accompanying texts by the revered late Museum of Modern Art photography curator John Szarkowski has long been recognized as a classic. Reissued in 1999-with new digital duotones-this volume is now available to a new generation of readers.
"This is a picture book, and its first purpose is to provide the material for simple delectation," says Szarkowski in his introduction to this first survey of The Museum of Modern Art's photography collection. A visually splendid album, the book is both a treasury of remarkable photographs and a lively introduction to the aesthetics and the historical development of photography.
Since 1930, when the Museum accessioned its first photograph, it has assembled an extraordinary and wide-ranging collection of pictures for preservation, study and exhibition. Among the outstanding figures represented here are Hill and Adamson, Cameron, O'Sullivan, Atget, Stieglitz, Steichen, Strand, Weston, Kertesz, Evans, Cartier-Bresson, Lange, Brassai, Ansel Adams, Shomei Tomatsu, Frank, Arbus and Friedlander.
Some of these photographs are classics, familiar and well-loved favorites, many are surprising, little-known works by the masters of the art.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: The Museum of Modern Art, New York (September 1, 1976)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870705156
• ISBN-13: 978-0870705151
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,539 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Criticism & Essays
  • #66 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Collections, Catalogues & Exhibitions
  • #68 in Books > Arts & Photography > Museum Exhibition Catalogs

More About the Author

John Szarkowski (December 18, 1925 - July 7, 2007) was a photographer, curator, historian, and critic. From 1962 to 1991 Szarkowski was the Director of Photography at New York's Museum of Modern Art.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Mostly about the historical development of photography and very little about the aesthetics of the images included, November 26, 2009

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H. C. Heyerdahl "norway-photos" (Norway) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Looking at Photographs: 100 Pictures from the Collection of The Museum of Modern Art (Paperback)

I found the title and editorial description rather misleading: "A visually splendid album, the book is both a treasury of remarkable photographs and a lively introduction to the aesthetics and the historical development of photography."

I found the book disappointingly short on the aesthetics part. The book contains 100 photographs and a short essay/note on each of them. Now, most of the text is actually about the background of the photograph. Mostly about the photographer and situation photographed and some on the printing process employed. Generally only the last paragraph is devoted to some comments on the image itself. I really expected to learn more about Szarkowski's thoughts on the images as such.

The book is much better on the historical part. The essays are quite enjoyable and have given me a small background knowledge of the historical development of photography. There is something about the authors lucid style of writing that appeals to me, and seduced me to actually complete the read and rather enjoy it even though it turned out to be very different from what I expected.

The historical part deserves a 5 star rating, however both the title and editorial description suggests a more comprehensive treatment of the aesthetical part. I therefore give it a 3 star rating.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars John Szarkovski: one of the greatest minds and teachers of his time, May 14, 2009

By 

Vladimir Belomestnov "Dibutil Ftalat" (Toronto) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Looking at Photographs: 100 Pictures from the Collection of The Museum of Modern Art (Paperback)

If you think that you can appreciate a photographic image try to look at the images in this book and explain what you see and why do you like it or not. And then read the short essay by John Szarkovski. You will be amazed how rich is his language and precise is his judgment on each photograph and photographer. You can open this book randomly day after day and get inspired and motivated with exemplary classics accompanied with explanation of what has been achieved by each and how does it make difference for us today and for the whole history of art and craft of photography.

This book is a perfect gift for someone who not only enjoys photographs by others but wants to form a vision of his own. It is full of hints for creativity carefully selected and presented with perfection.

The duotone prints in the book are done on the great paper with amazing in quality.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just order it, January 12, 2009

By 

Damon K. Webster "PhotoInduced" (Los Angeles,CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Looking at Photographs: 100 Pictures from the Collection of The Museum of Modern Art (Paperback)

Ok, back in print finally,this is a must have addition to your photographic library. The criticism of images from MOMA, by John Szarkowski, will open your mind to the story behind the photographs. It is a cliff notes of a master class in understanding photography.