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Why People Photograph
by
Robert Adams
A now classic text on the art, "Why People Photograph" gathers a selection of essays by the great master photographer Robert Adams, tackling such diverse subjects as collectors, humor, teaching, money and dogs. Adams also writes brilliantly on Edward Weston, Paul Strand, Laura Gilpin, Judith Joy Ross, Susan Meiselas, Michael Schmidt, Ansel Adams, Dorothea Lange and Eugene...more
Paperback, 190 pages
Published
April 30th 1996
by Aperture
(first published December 1994)
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I've already talked about Adams in my previous review, but it's hard to get a sense of what makes him so special without reading him. So here's a few samples:
"At our best and most fortunate we make pictures because of what stands in front of the camera, to honor what is greater and more interesting than we are. We never accomplish this perfectly, though in return we are given something perfect--a sense of inclusion. Our subject thus redefines us, and is part of the biography by which we want to...more
"At our best and most fortunate we make pictures because of what stands in front of the camera, to honor what is greater and more interesting than we are. We never accomplish this perfectly, though in return we are given something perfect--a sense of inclusion. Our subject thus redefines us, and is part of the biography by which we want to...more
The book falls closer to the 4 stars than the 3 to me. Starts amazingly!
And Adams goes around the humanitarian aspects of being a photographer and his surroundings, describing them beautifully and emotionally using his English literature skills, using poems too which makes even more emotional and closer to the heart.
He then goes to describe the main artists' works and their emotional backgrounds and how their lives affected their photographic styles and techniques. So interesting I say but some...more
And Adams goes around the humanitarian aspects of being a photographer and his surroundings, describing them beautifully and emotionally using his English literature skills, using poems too which makes even more emotional and closer to the heart.
He then goes to describe the main artists' works and their emotional backgrounds and how their lives affected their photographic styles and techniques. So interesting I say but some...more
Reads like an intellectual biography. Interesting insight into the mind of a professional photographer, but for me less valuable on more abstract ideas about why we photograph, which I think others like Barthes and Sontag do much better.
With respect but not much enthusiasm, I would say
that the light in this book comes mostly through
well-deployed quotations from the work of other
and better writers. I appreciate learning about some
good photographers I had not heard of before. But the
book is uneven, with what reads as freshly thought
sections being followed by sort of padding consisting
of old book reviews and essays written for other purposes.
that the light in this book comes mostly through
well-deployed quotations from the work of other
and better writers. I appreciate learning about some
good photographers I had not heard of before. But the
book is uneven, with what reads as freshly thought
sections being followed by sort of padding consisting
of old book reviews and essays written for other purposes.
THis collection of essays was not exactly what I was expecting. The title is very misleading, in my opinion. I was expecting a book about the idea of photography, instead I got a collection of essays mostly about some famous photographers.
Apr 16, 2009
Marc Friedman
added it
Awesome!
A collection of essays on photography, some of which are slightly related, others of which are not. There are some interesting insights and inspirations in some of the essays, but as a whole, I found the collection to be lacking. I had hoped to gain a better perspective on why people photograph and what makes for a classic artistic photograph, what makes photography in and of itself a great artistic medium, but didn't really find that here.
An unusual mixture of essay, biographies, and social commentary all settled around photography. Several worthy gems have been highlighted and recorded for future inspirations. The second book I've read recently that I have to stomach a paragraph of venom spewed at hunters, as with the other, if you can ignore there is much to be taken from the rest. I do wish nature lovers of all types could co-exist better.
I somehow was sidetracked and haven't finished this yet, but I was inspired by everything I have read so far. This book was extremely helpful in aiding me in writing my artist statement for my bfa project, and also gave me more of a drive for my work.
Great book, some major insights into Photography and many other topics. Great history too and perhaps the most valuable to me was the section on Teaching. Great advice, observations. Such a force.
The last group of essays in the book -- on "working conditions" -- is outstanding. Superbly insightful and nuanced writing on our relationship with the land. Reminds me of a western Wendell Berry.
Good read, a must for those serious about taking photography seriously.
absolutely brilliant, inspiring articles. i'd recommend to everyone.
May 17, 2013
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Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
See this thread for more information.
Adams, Robert Hickman (1937-) American nature photographer
After earning a doctorate in English and becoming a college professor, Adams decided to shift careers and focus on his true love, photography, in 1970. Since then, he's made a name for himself with more than 20 books,...more
More about Robert Adams...
See this thread for more information.
Adams, Robert Hickman (1937-) American nature photographer
After earning a doctorate in English and becoming a college professor, Adams decided to shift careers and focus on his true love, photography, in 1970. Since then, he's made a name for himself with more than 20 books,...more
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