Description
Price: $19.00 - $10.99
(as of Mar 15, 2025 15:52:54 UTC – Details)
Winner of the National Book Critics’ Circle Award for Criticism.
One of the most highly regarded books of its kind, Susan Sontag’s 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.”
ASIN : 0312420099
Publisher : Picador; First Edition (August 25, 2001)
Language : English
Paperback : 224 pages
ISBN-10 : 9780312420093
ISBN-13 : 978-0312420093
Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
Dimensions : 5.4 x 0.55 x 8.2 inches
Customers say
Customers find the book engaging and readable. They appreciate the insights into photography and its art form. Readers describe the book as thought-provoking and intellectual.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Eszter Turbeky –
One should read this book
The iconic book of Susan Sontag. Worth reading it!
justin –
Amazing book!
Great book, came in perfect condition!
Willie jimenez –
Chicken soup for photographer soul
To be fully honest I lost this book and didn’t finish it completely But I do have it in mind to finish it. this book was very inspiring. It’s one every photographer should own and since I’m a comic and concept art I say any type of artist should read it. In fact I think thats how I found this book a top ten book artist should read kinda thing. and I see why.It’s not about technique it’s more about inspirational quotes to keep you interested in inspired about going out and taking photos. theres books like this for painters and artist. Art and fear and the Art Spirt. but this one is more specific for photography. and I’t really illustrated the commonalities we go through and its comforting to find some who thinks the way we do. in a way we can’t even with or closest family and friends unless they are also very into this life of taking photos.It’s an easy read. I kept in the car and reached for it on longer trips. which might be how I lost it. But it’s broken up into chapters and essays in a way you can read it casually and keep in on a coffee table or something. it’s like a chicken soup for photographer. If your looking for techniques and taking better photos this isn’t a book for you. not yet.I really enjoyed and it was worth it for real. as a artist it’s hard for me something to find the time and motivation to go out and take photos unless I’m traveling. but this has given me the kicking the back side I needed.
The Z Man –
Blissfully intellectual, succulantly illuminating. A powerhouse of insights into the artistic realm of photography.
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.
rapadgug –
Brilliant Book
As everything she wrote, Susan Sontag’s book on photography is brilliant. It is a set of essays on the “philosophy” of picture-taking and the meaning of photography in the modern (ca. 1970) world. Anyone interested in the social roles of photography will find this book fascinating and thought-provoking. I originally read it when it first came out and was immensely impressed and a second reading showed it to be as impressive now as then, even though the technology and use of photography has changed a good deal.
Miguel A. Garcia –
Poorly aged musings of an artist who is not a very good philosopher
I’m through the first chapter so far it’s communicated a lot of very simplistic, redundant statements to me. They’re good, I suppose, but the rest is just babble….comparing cameras to guns, penises…yeesh. She observes things through very small frames that fall apart if you step outside of and question them for a moment. I’m reading it for a course and it has all the depth you’d expect from a photography theory (not much).
Thomas B. Roach –
A must for serious photographers
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.
Marwan –
criticism & philosophy of photography at its best
S.S offers an in-depth and original analysis of what she considers to be the most important photographers from the beginnings of photography until the mid-late 70s. She questions the validity of the pretentious claims made by photographers, the relation the medium shares with the world as we know it, it’s effect of creating a visual catalog, she also offers a response to the long expired debate on whether or not photography is an art.S.S proves to be an expert on photography by offering analysis which offers well-documented contextual information on photographers such as Diane Arbus, Richard Avdon, L.Hine, E.Weston, E.Steichen etc…”On Photography” is considered by many specialists to be a work of reference in regards to criticism and philosophy on photography, and after reading it I can understand why.”On Photography” is a great tool for understanding the evolution of photography from its beginnings throughout the 20th century and for seeing the camera for what it is- nothing more, nothing less. I would recommend it to art critics, anyone who is passionate about photography or interested in the history of photography, photography as an art form and its limits.
Yara –
Each page of the book impelled me to go out there and take millions of pictures, but it also made me question the role of photographers and the ethics of the profession. Breathtaking insights. I’d really want to know what Susan Sontag would have to say about the “selfie generation”.
Fang –
Susan Santag ci ha mostrato vari casi che usiamo le foto. Questo libro mi ha aiutato molto per la mia tesi sulla fotografia. Tutti pensiamo di saper fare le foto, ma bisogna pensare bene prima di fare quel “clic”.
Northerner –
…have yet to read it though. Got it based on some ytuber who praised it, will see……
Someone –
Produit conforme et envoi soigné.Il est difficile de ne pas avoir à lire Susan Sontag lorsque l’on étudie l’histoire des idées sur les représentations visuelles.Je n’ai pas encore pu m’aventurer assez loin dans ce livre afin de donner une critique constructive mais je suis très satisfait de ce que j’ai lu. Cela en vaut largement son prix !Merci Amazon !
Cliente Amazon –
Susan Sontag·s essay on photography is a deep theoretical study .It is no easy reading,it needs to be read and read again to really get the messages.I first read it about 35 years ago and it is like a reunion with a good old friend.Everyone and anyone who is interested in photo graphy shoud read it several times as itis also very entertaining.It blows my mind ever since I first read it.