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  • On Photography

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Susan Sontag

On Photography Paperback – August 25, 2001

by Susan Sontag (Author)
3.9 on Goodreads
51,955 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

About the author

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Susan Sontag

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.

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Customers say

Customers find the book well-written and thought-provoking, providing a good tour of photographic thought. Moreover, the book offers valuable insights into photography as an art form, making it a must-read for photographers.

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Eszter Turbeky
    5.0 out of 5 stars One should read this book
    Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2025
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    The iconic book of Susan Sontag. Worth reading it!
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  • justin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2025
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    Great book, came in perfect condition!
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  • Willie jimenez
    4.0 out of 5 stars Chicken soup for photographer soul
    Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2017
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    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
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  • The Z Man
    5.0 out of 5 stars Blissfully intellectual, succulantly illuminating. A powerhouse of insights into the artistic realm of photography.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2015
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    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
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  • rapadgug
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Book
    Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2018
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    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
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  • Miguel A. Garcia
    3.0 out of 5 stars Poorly aged musings of an artist who is not a very good philosopher
    Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2019
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    I'm through the first chapter so far it's communicated a lot of very simplistic, redundant statements to me. They're good, I suppose, but the rest is just babble....comparing cameras to guns, penises...yeesh. She observes things through very small frames that fall apart if you step outside of and question them for a moment. I'm reading it for a course and it has all the depth you'd expect from a photography theory (not much).
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Thomas B. Roach
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must for serious photographers
    Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2014
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    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.
    27 people found this helpful
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  • Marwan
    5.0 out of 5 stars criticism & philosophy of photography at its best
    Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2013
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    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
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Yara
    5.0 out of 5 stars Difficult to read, but brilliant.
    Reviewed in Brazil on March 20, 2017
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    Each page of the book impelled me to go out there and take millions of pictures, but it also made me question the role of photographers and the ethics of the profession. Breathtaking insights. I'd really want to know what Susan Sontag would have to say about the "selfie generation".
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  • Fang
    5.0 out of 5 stars l'Analizzazione profondo
    Reviewed in Italy on July 13, 2019
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    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".
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  • Northerner
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ok quality ....
    Reviewed in Germany on January 1, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    ...have yet to read it though. Got it based on some ytuber who praised it, will see......
    Report
  • Someone
    5.0 out of 5 stars Un incontournable
    Reviewed in France on November 12, 2017
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    Produit conforme et envoi soigné.

    Il est difficile de ne pas avoir à lire Susan Sontag lorsque l'on étudie l'histoire des idées sur les représentations visuelles.

    Je n'ai pas encore pu m'aventurer assez loin dans ce livre afin de donner une critique constructive mais je suis très satisfait de ce que j'ai lu. Cela en vaut largement son prix !

    Merci Amazon !
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  • Cliente Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading!
    Reviewed in Spain on September 13, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    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.
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