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03/28/2005 03:48:40 PM · #1 |
A few weeks back someone here was asking about Diane Arbus and why she was so popular. A good question in itself but it was never fully answered and if I recall left an interesting point or two or three, unearthed. I believe the person who posed the question was looking for some technical prowess which probably doesn't exist in her work but what she did accomplish in my opinion was so much deeper than the technique on many other levels it's well worth exploring. For example, her simplicity, style and consistency alone are well worth a tip of the hat.
In the book On Photography by Susan Sontag, Arbus and a whole lot of other photographers are explored in great depth but it mainly deals with why we take photo's, who takes photo's and what images are for, along with plenty of tech consideration, of course. It's a heavy duty endless string of thoughts on the subject that I've found deeply profound and have already started on a second reading since I purchased the book last January.
It's not light stuff but very insightful, philosophocally and on a deep level, I believe will help me to become a better photographer. Maybe a better voter too?
I highly recommend this read.
Message edited by author 2005-03-28 15:49:48. |
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03/28/2005 04:02:36 PM · #2 |
| Just placed a hold on it at my local library. Thanks for the recommendation! |
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03/28/2005 04:09:28 PM · #3 |
Put it in my 'to buy' section on Amazon. Sounds good.
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03/28/2005 05:44:25 PM · #4 |
I own the Sontag book and have opened it many times. You're quite right about it not being light stuff, but it isn't a book you need to read from the beginning. Every page is full of witty insight into the world (including the history) of photographs and the people who make them.
And, coming from an 83 year-old dude such as yourself, Steve, this is quite a recommendation...;-)
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03/28/2005 07:00:19 PM · #5 |
I'm more like 42 btw but who cares.
It's truly a stimulating book and I'd suggest that anyone who's average vote given, is below a 4.5 should give it a look. There's some serious observation that will make you swallow your breath and lighten up a ton. Read this book and you'll be tossing 8's, 9's and 10's around like pennies.
Sontag is IMHO one of the few original thinkers of recent times. She's out of the box, through the window, down the street... and on, and on. So for those who like to think out of the box...this is for you and for those of you in the box, well, get out of the box. |
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03/28/2005 07:00:59 PM · #6 |
| I've dipped into the book every now and then... I should read the whole thing at some point. My wife got it when she was studying anthropology and there was a module on the ethics of photography. Sontag passed away very recently I believe. |
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