نگاهی به عکس‌ها

by John Szarkowski, فرشید آذرنگ (translator)

به همراه درآمدی بر نقد و تحلیل عکس
عکاسی هنری

Genres: Photography, Art, Nonfiction, Reference, Art and Photography, History

360 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

John Szarkowski was an American photographer and curator best known for his role as the director of the Museum of Modern Art’s Photography Department from 1962 through 1991. “Photography is the easiest thing in the world if one is willing to accept pictures that are flaccid, limp, bland, banal, indiscriminately informative, and pointless,” he once explained. “But if one insists in a photograph that is both complex and vigorous it is almost impossible.”

Born Thaddeus John Szarkowski on December 18, 1925 in Ashland, WI, he went on receive a degree in art history from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1948. After working as a museum photographer at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, he moved to Buffalo to teach photography. The artist then relocated to Chicago, where he worked on his photobook The Idea of Louis Sullivan (1956). After his appointment at MoMA in 1962, Szkarowski would help launch the careers of Diane Arbus, Lee Friedlander, and William Eggleston, among several others during his tenure. He also published acclaimed books on the history of photography, including The Photographer’s Eye (1966) and Looking at Photographs: 100 Pictures from the Collection of The Museum of Modern Art (1973).

After retiring from the museum in 1991, Szarkowski resumed his own career in photography. He died on July 7, 2007 in Pittsfield, MA. Today, the artist’s works are held in the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, among others.

Reviews

[Vikas Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a brilliant summary of MOMA's first forty years of collecting and documenting photographs. Through selected 100 photographs as a reader one understands the not always so linear journey and development of photography. The photographs reproduced here are brilliant examples of Albumen print, Calotypes, Daguerreo types, Ambrotypes and Woodbury types. A good reference book for all who want to understand art of photography appreciation

[Narjes Dorzade · Rating 5 out of 5]

.
بی نظیر

[Amirhossein · Rating 5 out of 5]

《نگاهی به عکس‌ها》یه مجموعه عکس از شهره‌ترین‌های موزه‌ی هنر مدرن نیویورکه که سعی داره از این طریق، یه سری از عکاس‌های بزرگ تاریخ رو معرفی کنه.
سارکوفسکی به عنوان مسئول بخش عکس موزه‌ی هنر مدرن، توضیحات مختصر و جستارگونه‌ای در کنار این عکس‌ها ارائه می‌ده که عمدتا یا درباره خودِ عکاس و عکس هستن، و یا درباره تاریخ عکاسی و فلسفه عکاسی.
از اون‌جایی که کتاب رو نشر "سمت" منتشر کرده و در واقع به عنوان کتاب درسیِ "نقد و تحلیل عکس" بچه‌های هنر در نظر گرفته شده، مترجم "درآمدی بر نقد و تحلیل عکس" به کتاب اضافه کرده که نکات جالبی داره. هر چند که از فرط اختصار، گنگ هم بنظر میاد!

[Parisa Hoseini · Rating 4 out of 5]

همانطور که در آپدیت‌ها هم اشاره کردم این کتاب برای دانشجویان و کسانی که به عکاسی علاقه‌ممند هستند بسیار مفید است. در مقدمه‌ی آن فرشید آذرنگ ، مترجم کتاب، درآمدی برنقد عکس نوشته که برای من آموزنده بود.
در ادامه عکس‌هایی از عکاسان قرن بیستم انتخاب شدند که در موزه هنرهای مدرن نیویورک قرار دارند. این عکس‌ها بهترین عکس‌های عکاسانشان و بهترین عکس‌های موزه نیستند، اما سارکوفسکی با انتخاب آنها سعی کرده سیری تاریخی را دنبال کند.
راستش من بیشتر به این کتاب به عنوان مرجع نگاه می‌کنم. هرچند که نوشته‌های سارکوفسکی بسیار کوتاه است اما دید خوبی از عکاس به مخاطب می دهد.
من هر وقت عکس‌های یک عکاس را ببینم، نوشته‌ی سارکوفسکی درباره آن عکاس و یکی از عکس‌هایش را هم می‌خوانم و این باعث می‌شود درک بهتری از دوره تاریخی و سبک عکاس داشته باشم.
باز هم تاکید می‌کنم نوشته‌های سارکوفسکی کوتاه‌ اما مفید هستند.

[John Hathaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for the burgeoning photographer. Szarkowski examines the importance of 100 photographs from the MOMA collection. I think this is the 5th time I have read this cover to cover, and each time i discover something new and insightful. It has definately changed the way I view and analyze photography.

[Aruna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes you through 100 powerful photographs that capture key moments in history. Each photo comes with a short write-up that talks about why it matters and what makes it visually interesting. Covering more than a hundred years, the collection touches on everything from war and hardship to everyday life and small joys.

Favorite Photographs from the Book:

- Page 26

Alexander Gardner — Home of a Rebel Sharpshooter, Gettysburg (July 1863)

- Page 36

John Thomson — Old Furniture from street life in London (1877)

- Page 48

Jacob A. Riis — Police Station Lodger (1890)

I like that there’s a hand signing something to the subject in the right-hand corner.

- Page 66

Jacques Henri Lartigue — Avenue du Bois de Boulogne (1911)

- Page 102

August Sander — Circus People (1930)

- Page 138

Helen Levitt — Children (1940)

- Page 142

Weegee — Brooklyn Schoolchildren See Gambler Murdered in Street (1941)

- Page 146 (favorite)

Robert Capa — Collaborator, Chartres (1944)

- Page 164

Ken Domon — Mr. and Mrs. Kotani: Two Who Have Suffered from the Bomb (1957)

- Page 180

William Klein — Moscow (1959)

- Page 182

Bruce Davidson — Sicily (1961)

- Page 202

Josef Koudelka — Untitled, no date

[Tony Frampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book recommended by the advice of modern photographers (podcasters) is this deep dive into the history, development and meaning and of the craft. Published in 1973 by MOMA, obviously it could never anticipate what photography would become just 50 years later. I can’t help but to wonder what is left for photography as an art form now that more than 80% of the world carries a smartphone in their pocket. Surely there aren’t nearly 7 billion photographers in the world, but the ease and need of personal photography has expanded exponentially. We take selfies by the dozen, looking for the best likeness, and even more of our kids on a sports field or a recital, utilizing the Spray and Pray method. There are massive server farms whirring away using enormous amounts of energy to keep all those discarded, never to be seen or deleted images of Bobby and Susie’s closed eyes in our personal cloud. Is photography even sustainable?

[Chris Leuchtenburg · Rating 4 out of 5]

These images by 100 different photographers follow the history of photographic technology as much as the photos themselves. Since it represents the extent of MOMA's collection and is further constrained by the chronological march of photographers, not all of the photos are the best examples of the artist's work or the trends of the day. Nevertheless, the several paragraphs describing the photographers' place in the history of photography and a few comments about the photo provide a broad introduction to the art form prior to the development of color prints.

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Nonartists often misunderstand the nature of artistic tradition, and imagine it to be similar to a fortress, within which eternal verity is protected from the present. In fact it is something more useful and interesting, and less secure. It exists in the minds of artists, and consists in their collective memory of what has been accomplished so far. Its function is to mark the starting point for each day's work. Occasionally it is also decided that tradition should also define the work's end result. At this point the tradition dies."

[Kevin A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Szarkowski, then director of photography at MOMA, introduces this selection of 100 examples from the museum’s collection from the first 120 years of the medium. Szarkowski is smart and opinionated guide, which is often the best kind, although he is equal parts illuminating and irritating. By the end of the book, the reader has the sensation of being trapped a little too long at a cocktail party with an engaging if exhausting conversationalist.

[Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read and looked at this book at least twice before but it's still a quick visual of the history of photography. The photograph are all from different photographers so you don't see much of anyone's work, but the printed information is valuable also. Great and already well known by those who are interested in photography. This one will be around for a long time.

[Ray Dunsmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating overview of the first hundred years of photographic history, guided by the persuasive pen of famed MoMA curator John Szarkowski. It's a great starter's guide for anyone interested in the artistic possibilities of photography.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seems obvious to say this is an important collection of photos that are striking, interest, and of historical note, but I was surprised how much I enjoyed reading the accompanying text, it's very well written, given context and interesting biographical and historical details about each image.

[Jolie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look at some of the photographs that helped shape the art. Great history and facts although the author's personal commentary was a little dated at times.

[Ricky Antolini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

[Daniel Rainer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute gem of critical and historical analysis—overflowing with the insight, creativity, and wit of its author.

[Anirudh Wodeyar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite enjoyed the descriptions of each picture for why it was important in the history of black and white photography (till 1970 only).

There were several very enjoyable photographs that aren't the most well known of that particular photographer. However, what I found unforgivable was that some of the photos were wrong, i.e. with respect to the curatorial description given of the image. Was quite shocked by that. I had to go looking for the correct image myself.

You of course find most of the usual suspects: Ansel Adam's, Henri-Cartier Bresson, Gordon Parks, Dorothy Lange, Diane Arbus... But it was also interesting for some of the less well known photographers it brought to my attention.

Some images that have remained in my memory is work by Barbara Morgan and Edward Atget.

[Meagan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was full of striking, impressive, or otherwise important photographs accompanied by a few paragraphs about why each photograph was selected to represent both the history of photography and the overall collection at the Museum of Modern Art. The included photos are inarguably important ones, and the paragraphs do a good job of placing them in historical and artistic context while remaining brief introductions, leaving the focus on the images themselves. I will say that the accompanying text is stronger at the beginning, which might be because the earlier photos have a proven importance or impact. It's an easy choice to include early photos taken with a new style of development, or the first aerial photos, or early attempts at photographic abstraction. As the photos near the current day (although the latest photo in the book was taken in the late 60s, which is far from contemporary) the explanations about their significance are often more convoluted or technical and, for me, less persuasive.

The other issues I have may be more a symptom of larger issues involving photography in general and the collection of the museum: First, the photographers included aren't generally diverse, which the author addresses directly. Access to photographic equipment and training was largely limited to affluent, or at least middle class, white males, especially in the early days of photography. This is a great explanation for the whiteness of early photographs and photographers, but doesn't explain why later photographs weren't more diverse in both photographer and subject. Representation of female photographers was much better, with photographs from Julia Margaret Cameron and Margaret Bourke-White to Helen Levitt and Lisette Model. Second, I wonder why 100% of the photographs are black and white. Again, a large portion of this is a result of the history of photography itself. For decades photographs only came in black and white, but there have been years of tinted and color film photographs and none of them were represented. I'm not sure if that was on purpose, or just an example of a bias toward black and white film as more formal or artistic...

Nevertheless, I'd recommend spending time with this book. It does a very good job of providing an overview of photography as an art form.

[Mike Kleine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expected something different.

Something, more along the lines of absolute analysis. I had heard the name Szarkowski before but wasn't familiar with his voice.

I can say I was not disappointed. A tome such as this takes patience to completely appreciate, and also, is the kind that encourages repeat re-reads/views.

Absolutely essential to becoming exposed to what makes a photograph "great." Also enjoyed what I felt were tangents--though fascinating to see Szarkowski attempt to tie-in everything out of nothing.

Not something you will enjoy, particularly, if what you are after, involves the basics of photography. This is less about the technical and mostly about the visual. An appreciation as it were, that can, of course, also become worthy study material.

Or rather, think of it this way: let's pretend you are majoring in photography and somehow you manage to skip the introductory courses and are fast tracked to one of the advanced 300-level courses; this is the type of book that would be discussed in such a course.

And let's also pretend you know nothing about photography, why not? You might scoff at this book.

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the photographs, all black and white, taken from 1845 to 1969. The accompanying text to the photos was a bit hit or miss so I dinged it a star for that.

Each photo gets its own page with text opposite. The writing about the early photographic processes is quite interesting. Then the text becomes more about the photographers, and then the author rambles into highly speculative and assumptive territory when it seems he doesn't know much about the photographer or the particular photo.

The photos are an interesting look at the evolution of photography over time but well before the advent of digital cameras. This book of photos covers the days when you could have been the first to photograph something.

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best books of photography criticism that I've ever read. Organized as a series of 100 sets of facing pages, Szarkowski's meditations are just as interesting when they're about a photographer from the 1860s as they are when he's dealing with photographers from the 1960s, whose careers he personally created during his tenure as the lead photo curator at MoMA. This isn't a detailed history of photography, or a sweeping critical work in the style of Sontag's On Photography-- but you walk away feeling like you've learned things about photography that you didn't know before.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a world filled with amazing photo books, this is one of the best. The writing is entertaining and informative, and the photographs themselves are both well-selected and gorgeously printed. Szarkowsky manages to have something impressive to say about each photographer's approach to his or her subject matter, and the whole book left me feeling really good about my own work and potential. I had multiple flashbacks to my photo-history classes, in a good way. (I love this art form, dammit.)

[Roniq · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book that breaks down different images to give you an idea of what the artist was thinking or trying to convey with their images. I enjoyed this book alot and it helped me in looking at other peoples images and what to look for.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great survey of MOMA's photography collection up to the early 70's. Szarkowski has a way of communicating a lot about these images in the space of 2 or 3 paragraphs.

Recommended for anyone interested in the history of photography.

[Eliza Hemenway · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that leaves you wanting more... it feels like a well curated show. Each essay, each photograph made me want to delve deeper. It is a book to savor slowly, taking in Szarkowski's essays and viewing the photographs individually as well as a collection.

[Jeff Youngstrom]

My review from September 30, 1997

[Meg Clayton]

photography

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I posted a mini-review of the book on my blog here.

[M. Sarki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite a remarkable book to own and admire from time to time.

[Joseph]

Great read. It is interesting to hear what Szarkowski thinks about a given photograph.