I've also used Susan Sontag, Roland Barthes, "Photography A Critical Introduction" edited by Liz Wells and some others. but the Barrett andFinn were just so much more accessible! I tried Victor Burgin, but he is way out of my league.
Living near London, I've also been able to go to photography workshops at Tate Modern, which are very informative and also require input from the workshop attendees.
I do wonder how many people do try to read about photography though? I sometimes find at the end of a day at work, other easier things take over...
Howard
lookaround360@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
Howard,
I think both books should be required reading for anyone with an interest in photography. If you don't read serious, non-technical writing you are missing a lot. BTW the current issue of Modern Painters is about photography. There is an interview with Szarkowski and one with David Hockney provocatively titled "Painting is Just Better."
AZ
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-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Photographic Criticism From: "Howard" <howard.leigh@xxxxxxxxxxxx> Date: Tue, April 06, 2004 2:39 am To: "List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students" <photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
After reading some of the recent postings criticising members' photographs, I would mention a very readable and informative book in this very field: "Criticizing Photographs" by Terry Barrett, who is Professor of Art Education at The Ohio State University.
As part of the course I teach in Photography at a school in England, critical analysis is an important feature. I found this book has
helped me to deliver that aspect of the course much more effectively.
Another good one is "How To Look At Photographs" by David Finn
If anyone knows of similar or related books I would be interested!
Howard
