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On Photography Paperback – August 25, 2001

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,233 ratings

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Winner of the National Book Critics' Circle Award for Criticism.

One of the most highly regarded books of its kind, Susan Sontag's
On Photography first appeared in 1977 and is described by its author as "a progress of essays about the meaning and career of photographs." It begins with the famous "In Plato's Cave"essay, then offers five other prose meditations on this topic, and concludes with a fascinating and far-reaching "Brief Anthology of Quotations."

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“A brilliant analysis of the profound changes photographic images have made in our way of looking at the world and at ourselves over the last 140 years.” ―Washington Post Book World

“Every page of
On Photography raises important and exciting questions about its subject and raises them in the best way.” ―The New York Times Book Review

“A book of great importance and originality . . . All future discussion or analysis of the role of photography in the affluent mass-media societies are now bound to begin with her book.” ―
John Berger

“Not many photographs are worth a thousand of [Susan Sontag's] words.” ―
Robert Hughes, Time

“After Sontag, photography must be written about not only as a force in the arts, but as one that is increasingly powerful in the nature and destiny of our global society.” ―
Newsweek

On Photography is to my mind the most original and illuminating study of the subject.” ―Calvin Trillin, The New Yorker

About the Author

Susan Sontag was the author of four novels, including The Benefactor, Death Kit, The Volcano Lover, and In America, which won the 2000 National Book Award for fiction; a collection of stories, I, etcetera; several plays, including Alice in Bed; and nine works of essays, among them On Photography, which won the National Books Critics Circle Award for criticism. In 2001, Sontag was awarded the Jerusalem Prize for the body of her work. She died in New York City in 2004.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0312420099
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Picador; First Edition (August 25, 2001)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780312420093
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0312420093
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.4 x 0.55 x 8.2 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,233 ratings

About the author

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Susan Sontag
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Susan Sontag was born in Manhattan in 1933 and studied at the universities of Chicago, Harvard and Oxford. She is the author of four novels, a collection of stories, several plays, and six books of essays, among them Illness as Metaphor and AIDS and Its Metaphors. Her books are translated into thirty-two languages. In 2001 she was awarded the Jerusalem Prize for the body of her work, and in 2003 she received the Prince of Asturias Prize for Literature and the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade. She died in December 2004.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,233 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They appreciate its insights into photography and cultural context. Readers describe it as a must-read for photographers seeking to understand the subject better.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

47 customers mention "Readability"37 positive10 negative

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They appreciate the author's eloquent writing style and find it refreshing to read an intelligent person who also writes well. The book is complex yet simple to understand, making it a must-read for photographers. Readers mention that every sentence is a revelation and that the book will change their perspective.

"...interested in the social roles of photography will find this book fascinating and thought-provoking...." Read more

"...this book was very inspiring. It's one every photographer should own and since I'm a comic and concept art I say any type of artist should read it...." Read more

"This is a complex book by a very complex writer. Susan Sontag is incisive in spots but also spins out of control in sentences that don't resonate...." Read more

"...Susan is an avid and learned woman whom writes beautifuly clear. She references many famouse artists in order to make her points clear and valid...." Read more

18 customers mention "Photography knowledge"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a valuable resource for photographers. They say it provides insightful commentary on photography and the cultural context of the art. Readers appreciate the author's engaging style and mention that the references to actual photographers are helpful.

"...On Photography" is a great tool for understanding the evolution of photography from its beginnings throughout the 20th century and for seeing the..." Read more

"As everything she wrote, Susan Sontag's book on photography is brilliant...." Read more

"...it's like a chicken soup for photographer. If your looking for techniques and taking better photos this isn't a book for you. not yet...." Read more

"...A terrific asset to any photographer gravitating towards the arts." Read more

17 customers mention "Insight"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and thought-provoking. They appreciate the clarity and intelligence of the author's ideas. While a little older in date, it is relevant and addresses important topics.

"...social roles of photography will find this book fascinating and thought-provoking...." Read more

"...ones mind into her words, revel in her clarifications, soak up her insights and intelligence. This book is a classic for a reason...." Read more

"...least for the variety of photographers she can analyze and place in historical context." Read more

"...Susan is an avid and learned woman whom writes beautifuly clear. She references many famouse artists in order to make her points clear and valid...." Read more

10 customers mention "Photography"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the photography. They find the views simple yet breathtaking, and the author's observations about people, culture, and photography spot-on. The book is described as intellectually satisfying and illuminating.

"...Its great perspective on photography...pun intended. Im glad i have it in my collection as a ard copy." Read more

"...But still, Sontag's observations about people, culture and photograph is spot on." Read more

"...A good tour of photographic thought, with an underlying sense of humor." Read more

"...Her views are simple but breathtaking...." Read more

Exhaustive Read with a major need of re-write
2 out of 5 stars
Exhaustive Read with a major need of re-write
This book is missing one MAJOR thing. She is constantly referencing pictures in this book and this book is text alone. It’s exhausting to constantly set the book down to go and find the proper images on Google. Why not re-write this book with the images included? Her points are long drawn out philosophies which have great points but also feel over-stated. As a photography student I find this book arduous and frustrating. I think the language needs a rewrite for 2020. I’m not sure how this holds 5 stars for a lot of readers.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2013
    S.S offers an in-depth and original analysis of what she considers to be the most important photographers from the beginnings of photography until the mid-late 70s. She questions the validity of the pretentious claims made by photographers, the relation the medium shares with the world as we know it, it's effect of creating a visual catalog, she also offers a response to the long expired debate on whether or not photography is an art.
    S.S proves to be an expert on photography by offering analysis which offers well-documented contextual information on photographers such as Diane Arbus, Richard Avdon, L.Hine, E.Weston, E.Steichen etc...
    "On Photography" is considered by many specialists to be a work of reference in regards to criticism and philosophy on photography, and after reading it I can understand why.
    "On Photography" is a great tool for understanding the evolution of photography from its beginnings throughout the 20th century and for seeing the camera for what it is- nothing more, nothing less. I would recommend it to art critics, anyone who is passionate about photography or interested in the history of photography, photography as an art form and its limits.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2018
    As everything she wrote, Susan Sontag's book on photography is brilliant. It is a set of essays on the "philosophy" of picture-taking and the meaning of photography in the modern (ca. 1970) world. Anyone interested in the social roles of photography will find this book fascinating and thought-provoking. I originally read it when it first came out and was immensely impressed and a second reading showed it to be as impressive now as then, even though the technology and use of photography has changed a good deal.
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2017
    To be fully honest I lost this book and didn't finish it completely But I do have it in mind to finish it. this book was very inspiring. It's one every photographer should own and since I'm a comic and concept art I say any type of artist should read it. In fact I think thats how I found this book a top ten book artist should read kinda thing. and I see why.

    It's not about technique it's more about inspirational quotes to keep you interested in inspired about going out and taking photos. theres books like this for painters and artist. Art and fear and the Art Spirt. but this one is more specific for photography. and I't really illustrated the commonalities we go through and its comforting to find some who thinks the way we do. in a way we can't even with or closest family and friends unless they are also very into this life of taking photos.

    It's an easy read. I kept in the car and reached for it on longer trips. which might be how I lost it. But it's broken up into chapters and essays in a way you can read it casually and keep in on a coffee table or something. it's like a chicken soup for photographer. If your looking for techniques and taking better photos this isn't a book for you. not yet.

    I really enjoyed and it was worth it for real. as a artist it's hard for me something to find the time and motivation to go out and take photos unless I'm traveling. but this has given me the kicking the back side I needed.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2015
    This got me thinking about photography in a way I never have. Now I have a strong understanding of what the medium is, and a better grasp of what to do to make my work stand out. Ms. Sontag is an intellectual without peer, her choice of words so eclectic yet perfect in expressing her deep understanding of this field. It's a pleasure to sink ones mind into her words, revel in her clarifications, soak up her insights and intelligence. This book is a classic for a reason. If you're a photographer trying to get a greater grasp of what it takes to be grand or noticed in this business, you will walk away with a deeper understanding of this world and its history. A terrific asset to any photographer gravitating towards the arts.
    9 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2014
    This should be a must read for any photographer whose mind seeks to go beyond the technical aspects of photography. When I read it, many of her comments were aimed at those "snapshot prints" that ended up in photo albums, thus lacked impact for me as digital photography was then my new medium. Now, with the the iPhone or equivalent running amuck, and the age of "selfies", which I would rename "narcisstics" for the "me, me, me" crowd, it regains impact. Yes, the medium is the message.

    I didn't like much of what she said as she was your typical leftist intellectual. The truth is she really had something to say about the meaning and content of photography. This alone puts her in a class probably by herself. I love photography and have been taking pictures since 1959. I don't know of one other book that even comes close to dealing with the real impact of photography. It is not a book for the "sheeple". If you are serious about photography - read it! It should make you angry, and challenge your beliefs. We all need more of that. I'm re-reading it now for about the tenth time. Every time I read it I get something new and challenging from it. You can't say that about many books today.
    28 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2020
    This is a complex book by a very complex writer. Susan Sontag is incisive in spots but also spins out of control in sentences that don't resonate. If you love photography it is worth reading at least for the variety of photographers she can analyze and place in historical context.
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2017
    This book is a must have if you are interested in photography. All photographers reference it or use it as a guide to understanding what photography is as an art. Its a staple in photographers education on the subject. Susan is an avid and learned woman whom writes beautifuly clear. She references many famouse artists in order to make her points clear and valid. Its great perspective on photography...pun intended. Im glad i have it in my collection as a ard copy.

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Joseph Myren
    5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME
    Reviewed in Canada on June 5, 2024
    AWESOME
  • Northerner
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ok quality ....
    Reviewed in Germany on January 1, 2025
    ...have yet to read it though. Got it based on some ytuber who praised it, will see......
  • Jorge
    5.0 out of 5 stars La fotografía en nuestros días: importancia y relevancia
    Reviewed in Mexico on February 29, 2020
    Excelente lectura. Contiene ensayos sobre la importancia, incidencia y relevancia de la fotografía en nuestros días. Sontag es sin duda una de las mejores ensayistas en distintas áreas (cine, literatura o fotografía).
  • Fang
    5.0 out of 5 stars l'Analizzazione profondo
    Reviewed in Italy on July 13, 2019
    Susan Santag ci ha mostrato vari casi che usiamo le foto. Questo libro mi ha aiutato molto per la mia tesi sulla fotografia. Tutti pensiamo di saper fare le foto, ma bisogna pensare bene prima di fare quel "clic".
  • Cliente Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading!
    Reviewed in Spain on September 13, 2018
    Susan Sontag·s essay on photography is a deep theoretical study .It is no easy reading,it needs to be read and read again to really get the messages.I first read it about 35 years ago and it is like a reunion with a good old friend.Everyone and anyone who is interested in photo graphy shoud read it several times as itis also very entertaining.It blows my mind ever since I first read it.