by Susan Sontag
Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1978
Comments: On Photography is something of a landmark work that presents a great deal of original thinking on the psychology of photography -- both for producers and viewers. Sontag pieces together observations on photography's history, notable practitioners, and impact on our culture, to draw some meaningful substance from its apparent superficiality. She largely succeeds in this effort, though the reader must be prepared to do some challenging work to follow her there. On Photography is somewhat dry in presentation, but if you enjoy digging into deeper meaning and the human motivation behind things -- and especially if you have an appreciation for photography -- then this book is well worth the effort.
I originally read On Photography as a paperback many years ago, but was recently fortunate to find this hardback edition on the discount shelf for $3 at a local used bookstore. I promptly bought it and read it again.
Copy Notes: Hardback, fifth printing
