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Looking at Photographs: 100 Pictures from Collection of The Museum of Modern Art Paperback – March 1, 2009

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 158 ratings

Originally published in 1973, this marvelous collection of photographs with accompanying texts by the revered late Museum of Modern Art photography curator John Szarkowski has long been recognized as a classic. Reissued in 1999-with new digital duotones-this volume is now available to a new generation of readers.

"This is a picture book, and its first purpose is to provide the material for simple delectation," says Szarkowski in his introduction to this first survey of The Museum of Modern Art's photography collection. A visually splendid album, the book is both a treasury of remarkable photographs and a lively introduction to the aesthetics and the historical development of photography.

Since 1930, when the Museum accessioned its first photograph, it has assembled an extraordinary and wide-ranging collection of pictures for preservation, study and exhibition. Among the outstanding figures represented here are Hill and Adamson, Cameron, O'Sullivan, Atget, Stieglitz, Steichen, Strand, Weston, Kertész, Evans, Cartier-Bresson, Lange, Brassaï, Ansel Adams, Shomei Tomatsu, Frank, Arbus and Friedlander.

Some of these photographs are classics, familiar and well-loved favorites, many are surprising, little-known works by the masters of the art.
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Museum of Modern Art, New York (March 1, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 216 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0870705156
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0870705151
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.4 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.9 x 0.7 x 10.9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 158 ratings

About the author

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John Szarkowski
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John Szarkowski (December 18, 1925 - July 7, 2007) was a photographer, curator, historian, and critic. From 1962 to 1991 Szarkowski was the Director of Photography at New York's Museum of Modern Art.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
158 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's photographs remarkable and a lively introduction to the aesthetics and historical aspects of photography. They appreciate the insightful writing style and the educational value it provides. However, some readers felt the pacing was too slow and boring, making it seem like a waste of money.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

15 customers mention "Photography"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's photography remarkable and engaging. It provides an insightful look into the creative photographic process and a lively introduction to the aesthetics and historical development of photography. The text is well-written and provides context for each image while also showing how things fit together in the larger context.

"...Some of the photos are extraordinary, others are mundane, but so is the chaotic field of photography...." Read more

"...and it is a minor one, this book provides a marvellous insight into the creative photogaphic process, and has no real peers...." Read more

"...Great at giving context for each individual image but also showing how things fit together in the bigger picture of the history of photography." Read more

"...The text is by John S; the photos are by the best photographers. John describes how each photographer and photograph is unique...." Read more

5 customers mention "Insight"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's insights. They find it engaging and educational, extending their knowledge of art. The quality of reproduction is good, and the book serves as a starting point for understanding photography and its roots.

"...Both extend our understanding and knowledge of art. The quality of reproduction is also good." Read more

"...one - I'm reading it slowly, one photo per day, and enjoying the visions and inspiration." Read more

"...a serous Fine Art photography, this book is the beginning of your understanding photography and its roots." Read more

"I found this book to be both inspiring and educational...it critiques each image and helped me to see my photograhy a bit more clearly...." Read more

4 customers mention "Writing style"4 positive0 negative

Customers like the writing style. They say the pictures are great, but the writing is the real star of the show. The history is well presented and written with an active voice.

"...There is something about the authors lucid style of writing that appeals to me, and seduced me to actually complete the read and rather enjoy it..." Read more

"Very nice photographic history; well presented and written with an active voice...." Read more

"The text is quite good, and the photos a rich historic lesson." Read more

"Great pictures but the writing is the real star of the show...." Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"0 positive3 negative

Customers find the book's pacing slow. They feel it's disappointing, a waste of money, and boring.

"I bought as a recommendation book and I did not enjoy reading it. Too boring!" Read more

"waste of money" Read more

"This item did not meet my expectations . It is basically a history; i thought there would be more analysis . Very disappointed ...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2014
    "The critic's job is to place the particular example in the larger context." This book is a brilliant example. Szarkowski here lovingly selects one photograph from each of 100 photographers -- 100 photos from the MOMA collection -- to illustrate the serpentine history of photography. Some of the photos are extraordinary, others are mundane, but so is the chaotic field of photography. This handsome book hints at the depth and breadth of the solutions to the question of what is significant in pictures. I have poured over this book again and again. I have lent it to friends. I discover surprises every time I open it. You can read this book for the perceptive essays or you can just look at the pictures. This book satisfies on both counts.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2012
    This is a scholarly work by Szarkowski which makes engaging and insightful reading. Each page is prefaced by a short essay, most of which relate directly to the image. Occasionally Szarkowski's narrative seems to veer from the topic, as if he has trouble in identifying what he has to say about the image. That critism aside, and it is a minor one, this book provides a marvellous insight into the creative photogaphic process, and has no real peers. The style contrasts sharply with that of Szarkowski's other, earlier work - The Photographer's Eye. Both extend our understanding and knowledge of art. The quality of reproduction is also good.
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2024
    Corners were bent upon arrival.
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2021
    The photos are important but the writing is the real star of the show here. Great at giving context for each individual image but also showing how things fit together in the bigger picture of the history of photography.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2015
    One page of text, and an adjoining page with an excellent reproduction of the subject photograph. The text is by John S; the photos are by the best photographers. John describes how each photographer and photograph is unique. You want to take your time with this one - I'm reading it slowly, one photo per day, and enjoying the visions and inspiration.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2009
    I found the title and editorial description rather misleading: "A visually splendid album, the book is both a treasury of remarkable photographs and a lively introduction to the aesthetics and the historical development of photography."

    I found the book disappointingly short on the aesthetics part. The book contains 100 photographs and a short essay/note on each of them. Now, most of the text is actually about the background of the photograph. Mostly about the photographer and situation photographed and some on the printing process employed. Generally only the last paragraph is devoted to some comments on the image itself. I really expected to learn more about Szarkowski's thoughts on the images as such.

    The book is much better on the historical part. The essays are quite enjoyable and have given me a small background knowledge of the historical development of photography. There is something about the authors lucid style of writing that appeals to me, and seduced me to actually complete the read and rather enjoy it even though it turned out to be very different from what I expected.

    The historical part deserves a 5 star rating, however both the title and editorial description suggests a more comprehensive treatment of the aesthetical part. I therefore give it a 3 star rating.
    54 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2008
    I got an undergrad degree in Photography and this is the best book I was ever required to read. I LOVE THIS BOOK!
    If you are serious about photography, get this book. If you want to understand more about photography, get this book. If you know a photo lover, get this book!
    One page is the image, the opposing page is a short essay on what is critically imporant about this photographer/image/style.

    Really - if you are thinking about it and going so far as to read these comments, you should just go ahead and buy this book.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2018
    I was totally captivated by the photo on the cover when I visited a local library and was browsing. This book has a wonderful selection of iconic photos and information about them.

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Albert Adroer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Obra de museo
    Reviewed in Spain on December 3, 2024
    Este libro presenta 100 fotografías del MOMA comentadas por la persona que elevó la fotografía al nivel de arte. Gran libro.
  • Wilcockson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Highly informative and thought provoking
    Reviewed in Germany on December 9, 2021
    Part of the reading material for a course I was studying. Excellent book.
  • R. Ossmann
    5.0 out of 5 stars Très utile
    Reviewed in France on June 8, 2020
    Très beau livre pour voir et comprendre les subtilités des photos d’artistes du XXe. Recommandé par des galeries, pas déçu !
  • kevin warner
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in Canada on August 4, 2018
    Whiloe its not the end of the topic its a great place to start. Its everything I expected and more. Well worth it
  • Antonio J. Q. Ferreira
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fotografias e imagens
    Reviewed in Brazil on July 9, 2017
    Em um momento da história e da cultura, na qual as imagens parecem tomar o lugar de outras formas de comunicação e expressão, especialmente o espaço central das palavras e textos, olhar para fotografias, como propõe Szarkowski, é fundamental para quem deseja entender melhor onde nos metemos...