Photography : A Critical Introduction [Paperback]

Liz Wells (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415190584 | ISBN-13: 978-0415190589 | Publication Date: March 2000 | Edition: 2nd

This is the first introductory textbook to examine key debates in photographic theory and place them in their social and political contexts. Written especially for students in further and higher education and for introductory college courses, it provides a coherent introduction to the nature of photographic seeing.
This completely revised and updated second edition includes:
* key concepts, biographies of major thinkers, seminal references
* a full glossary of terms, comprehensive bibliographies
* resource information, including guides to public archives and useful web sites
Individual chapters cover:
* Key debates in photographic theory and history * Documentary photography and photojournalism * Personal and popular photography * Photography and commodity culture * Photography and the human body * Photography as art * Photography in the age of electronic imaging
There are over 100 photographs and images, of huge diversity. They include images by Bill Brandt, Lee Friedlander, Hannah Hoch, Roshini Kempadoo, Dorothea Lange, Lee Miller, Alexander Rodchenko, Jacob Riis, Sebastio Salgado, Andres Serrano and Jo Spence.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A brilliantly designed book. It provides a much-needed conceptual perspective, so lacking in other histories of photography, and with the new material on photojournalism is even stronger." - Ulrich Keller, University of California at Santa Barbara --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Liz Wells is a Senior Lecturer in Contextual Studies in film, video and photography at the School of Media, the London Institute, London College of Printing and Distributive Trades

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 2nd edition (March 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415190584
• ISBN-13: 978-0415190589
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #891,591 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Reads like a textbook., August 13, 2001

By 

jennifer monahan (Charleston, SC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Photography : A Critical Introduction (Paperback)

Photography: A Critical Introduction has a lot of information. If you really want to learn about photographs go for it. But beware, this book is not for the casual amateur. It's a tough read - very much like a text book. For the novice you may want to consider "Criticizing Photographs: An Introdution to Understanding Images" first.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More academic than practical, March 10, 2002

By 

pdgXYZ (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Photography : A Critical Introduction (Paperback)

"Photography: A Critical Introduction" offers decent insight into some ideas and theories surrounding the new instrument of art, the camera. It should be noted that very few photos or examples are used in the book, and this absence definitely accounts for the book's partly dry flavor. "Photography" is probably less appropriate for hobbyists and more so for academics, but none the less remains a worthwhile read for those ready to sit down and study.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More academic than practical, March 10, 2002

By 

pdgXYZ (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Photography : A Critical Introduction (Paperback)

"Photography: A Critical Introduction" offers decent insight into some ideas and theories surrounding the new instrument of art, the camera. It should be noted that very few photos or examples are used in the book, and this absence definitely accounts for the book's partly dry flavor. "Photography" is probably less appropriate for hobbyists and more so for academics, but none the less remains a worthwhile read for those ready to sit down and study.