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On Photography Paperback – August 25, 2001

by Susan Sontag (Author)

116 customer reviews

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Winner of the National Book Critics' Circle Award for Criticism.

One of the most highly regarded books of its kind, On Photography first appeared in 1977 and is described by its author as "a progress of essays about the meaning and career of photographs." It begins with the famous "In Plato's Cave"essay, then offers five other prose meditations on this topic, and concludes with a fascinating and far-reaching "Brief Anthology of Quotations."

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“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

About the Author

Susan Sontag is the author of four novels, The Benefactor, Death Kit, The Volcano Lover and In America; I, Etcetera, a collection of stories; several plays; and five works of nonfiction, among them Illness as a Metaphor and AIDS and Its Metaphors. In 2001 she was awarded the Jerusalem Prize for the body of her work.

Product details

Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Picador; 1st edition (August 25, 2001)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780312420093
ISBN-13: 978-0312420093
ASIN: 0312420099
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 116 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #49,868 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #8 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography & Video > Criticism & Essays
- #96 in Books > Arts & Photography > History & Criticism > Criticism

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"Photography, which has so many narcissistic uses, it ...

May 29, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

"Photography, which has so many narcissistic uses, it also a powerful instrument for depersonalizing our relation to the world." This statement is emblematic of the author's attitude throughout her dazzling but ultimately deflating analysis of photography. Sontag's intellect is unquestionably clear-eyed and sharp, but her consistent comparisons of photography to consumption, theft, and even rape wore me down as a reader. I don't have the rhetorical muscle to challenge her points and would have to concede many of them; as someone who likes to take pictures her book left me feeling flat. If you are seeking something attesting to photography's virtues as an art form, you'll find very little here. But On Photography is so well written it is worth reading anyway for its many kernels of wisdom . . . however distasteful they are at times.

10 people found this helpful

Comment

Blissfully intellectual, succulantly illuminating. A powerhouse of insights into the artistic realm of photography.

December 27, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This got me thinking about photography in a way I never have. Now I have a strong understanding of what the medium is, and a better grasp of what to do to make my work stand out. Ms. Sontag is an intellectual without peer, her choice of words so eclectic yet perfect in expressing her deep understanding of this field. It's a pleasure to sink ones mind into her words, revel in her clarifications, soak up her insights and intelligence. This book is a classic for a reason. If you're a photographer trying to get a greater grasp of what it takes to be grand or noticed in this business, you will walk away with a deeper understanding of this world and its history. A terrific asset to any photographer gravitating towards the arts.

2 people found this helpful

Comment

Thomas B. Roach

A must for serious photographers

August 14, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This should be a must read for any photographer whose mind seeks to go beyond the technical aspects of photography. When I read it, many of her comments were aimed at those "snapshot prints" that ended up in photo albums, thus lacked impact for me as digital photography was then my new medium. Now, with the the iPhone or equivalent running amuck, and the age of "selfies", which I would rename "narcisstics" for the "me, me, me" crowd, it regains impact. Yes, the medium is the message.

I didn't like much of what she said as she was your typical leftist intellectual. The truth is she really had something to say about the meaning and content of photography. This alone puts her in a class probably by herself. I love photography and have been taking pictures since 1959. I don't know of one other book that even comes close to dealing with the real impact of photography. It is not a book for the "sheeple". If you are serious about photography - read it! It should make you angry, and challenge your beliefs. We all need more of that. I'm re-reading it now for about the tenth time. Every time I read it I get something new and challenging from it. You can't say that about many books today.

11 people found this helpful

Comment

There were some insightful statements and observation but the essays were boring. One fatal defect was the lack of illustration ...

April 29, 2018

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I must confess that it was a difficult read and was not really rewarding. There were some insightful statements and observation but the essays were boring. One fatal defect was the lack of illustration which was quite impractical when you were discussing or describing photos.

Comment

Amazon prime= scams and poor quality third party prints

September 27, 2018

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

The printing has been done by a third party. It’s cheap and takes all the pleasure of holding a book away. I do not understand how to report this amazon prime scam. ‘New’ prime books are likely to be poor quality reprints. Theres no way to know what you are going to get (angry emoji)

Comment

A must read for photographers who want to understand the cultural context of what they do

June 29, 2018

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Classic text about photography. A must read for photographers who want to understand the cultural context of what they do.

Comment

May 23, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I really liked this book because I have a different way to look at the world. Sontag really makes you think about perspective. I also loved how well read and/or verse she is in world literature.

2 people found this helpful

Comment

Sontag is brilliant, we know this

December 29, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Sontag is brilliant, we know this. Read this and then read ON THE SUFFERING OF OTHERS. You will be moved.

One person found this helpful

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