The Photograph (Oxford History of Art)

Most people would rather die than think - and, indeed, they do. - Bertrand RussellI AM aware of some of the panning going on against this book in the USA - the same sort of panning that one can see frequently happening against Sontag's On Photography, which is ABSOLUTELY one of the most direct and succinct meditations on the medium I have yet seen. Precisely WHY it is that Americans seem to take such an anti-intellectual approach to these things is a bit beyond me. There seems to be, however, two distinct places from which persons unnamed approach thinking about the photograph (not totally unlike the two categories established at the start of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance) - the 'Ansel Adams Classicists' and the 'Marxist Empiricists'. The first school considers any psychological inspection of the photograph an all-out assault on the sanctity of the soul and fertile hand of the artist-genius. To explore the production of art-objects within an intellectual, social and political framework is not just offensive - it's downright 'off the map'! Granted - there IS a culture of persons who subscribe to the Frankfurt School and October Magazine but don't understand it. And hell yeah - they give the 'art' crowd a bad name. But that's REALLY not what's going on here - please trust me. If you'd like to be a little more convinced of this please see the corresponding review on amazon's UK sister site. You'll find nothing but praise for this little ditty there.For me - this book was clearly written and the thoughts expressed inside extremely well organized. I found it valuable, provocative and fruitful. A deeply worthy investment for those who are open to the idea of reframing existing knowledge in a larger and more sociably responsible way. The choice of phtoographs in this book was superb, I thought. A straight-up who's who of the more radical 'contemporary artist' oriented branch of the medium - the trailblazers from decades past - the people who made the starn twins and jeff wall and struths and others possible in the first place. If you want to cultivate a deep understanding of the photograph and it's importance in the world of art -especially contemporary art - this book is REQUIRED reading! Do your brain a favor and pick up a copy - and see some of the most powerful art of the 20th century while you're at it.

In defense of Mr. Clarke I offer the following: Photography is one of the most philosophically difficult art forms. Sure, one can apply similar aesthetic concepts and ideas--both formal and conceptual--to the photograph that one can to paintings and sculpture, but there are ideas that set the photograph apart from these other media. This is what people like Clark and Michael Fried are trying to do in their approach to photography. And, apropos of Oxford (especially this series), this is, after all, a scholarly work; not a survey of the coolest photographs of the last forty years. You cannot fault the book or the writer for not doing what you want it or him to do. That being said, the History of Art series by Oxford is precisely where one should go should one choose to ask the "whys" of art--not the who's, the what's or the how's. And, I'm sorry, but "why" questions and answers typically do not suppose a leisurely read. This is not to exalt these questions, nor denigrate the others, only to elucidate the playing field.

Excellent book. Reading for History of Photography at UNM currently and really explains the photo and photography in an engaging and informational way. Easy and good reading.

I need absolute silence and maximum concentration to read this book, because it's written in a very complicated style. Have to read a lot of pages twice. Jump back, read again. Once I unscrambled the content (I'm not through yet though) so far, it is very interesting (to me as a non-art student). As an art-student you will probably know all this already. Still interesting to me.

This book has a number of clear chapters focusing on debates within historic and contemporary photography that are approachable, well-written and relevant to a wide range of readers. I teach at BA and MA levels, and this book is recommended to my students as it covers many of the core debates within photographic history and theory.

This book gives a great overview of the history of photography, photographers, and important themes within photography

Interesting headlines, clear structure, but I am missing examples from other countries than UK and USA. to Too anglo-american for somebody outside UK and USA

No man can write out of his bourne of time and space,but the author clearly displays his contemperary trendy left wing biases to the point that his essay on the art of looking at photographs is somewhat occluded.His illustrations are not irrelevant, but his neglect of photography within the last 15 years or so is difficult to justifyAltogether well below the usual high standards of the Oxford Companions

A somewhat dated volume but from an authority on the subject so still relevant and worthy of a place in the reference library. Very wordy and in depth but technically spot on and the author knows their stuff. Interesting if a little deep but worth a read.

As the title says really; this book is essential reading for Photography students at any level, or for those whose are looking to expand & investigate further their photographic practice. Covering photgraphy from it's inception to modern contemporary practitioners, Clarke dissects the medium & clearly explains the concepts, intention & methodologies using masters of the art, including Barthes, Sontag,as well as coving all the genres. A must read !!!

we used it for my first years course book that my photography course was basically based on for the first year. very informative and goes into the basics of photography theory in a great depth. if you are interested in the theory behind photography then graham clarke's the photograph is worth reading.

This became a valuable book during my Photography degree. I definitely recommend it to anyone studying photography or interested in the key aspects of the history of photography.

Very good book