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While there were some very interesting photographs there was little on technique, little on what different perspectives, little on what different applications of time will do for a photograph, little on what framing will do for a photograph. There were a couple interesting quotes by some very famous people, there was very little on anything else.Overall a very disappointing read.
An essential volume that belongs in the collection of anyone serious about art and photography.
I agree with some of the reviews that expressed surprise at the fact that the amount of text is less than the blurb leads you to believe. After reading it I thought what he was saying seemed kind of obvious and true. I too was expecting a commentary on each of the photos in the book hoping to gain insight into the authors opinions about each photo. In fact the commentary is not so tightly linked to the individual photos, instead groups of photos illustrate each of the five main themes of the book.However, the essay by the author is pretty deep and to the point, there is no fluff here. You could take this as a criticism, but for me I have found that it has been very helpful to have these fundamental things articulated. In summary, for me this is a deceptively concise but classic statement of some of the "truths" behind the photographic process, accompanied by some stunning black and white photos.
The photographers need to discover new meanings and ways to express themselves in new images.John Szarkoswi was the curator of photography of the Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York for many years. But the small text is of seminal importance for the understanding and the future of photography.Firstly, John Szarkowski draws a parallel between the art that forged photography - painting - and photography in itself. This is a book with many images and a few words. In the exhibits he put into action his thoughts, inclusively promoting color photography.As a photographer, I have learned a lot in those few pages. A comparison between the inclusion of a painting canvas and the exclusion of a camera viewfinder.He does not dismiss the photograph as something lost in the space and time, but as something in motion, even if only for 1/30 of a second. A Cartier Bresson's "decisive moment", not in the sense that is commonly accepted by most(a dramatic climax), but a visual one.The author emphasizes that this is a new art and needs to be still discovered in many senses. One of the conclusions that I draw is that the film and digital controversy is innocuous. Whatever image you capture through the viewfiender is photography.
The magical nature of recording light in our physical world is very clear. I've been a professional photographer for 35 years, (with a BFA from RISD) and this it the book that got me really juiced. Spend some time reviewing the images and concepts within. I've loved this book for 35 years. I have purchased many copies for others interested in photography and can fully recommend this for anyone who will take the time to see what is really contained within.Cheers,Gary
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