Basic Critical Theory for Photographers

If you want to understand the key debates in photography and learn how to apply the fascinating issues raised by critical theory to your own practical work, this is the book for you! This accessible book cuts through often difficult and intimidating academic language to deliver understandable, stimulating discussion and summaries of the original texts.

Key works by great writers such as Sontag and Barthes are explored, along with those from other prominent critics. You are guided through a broad range of issues, including the differences between Eastern and Western art, post-modernism, sexism, the relationship between photography and language and many other crucial debates. The book is illustrated by many classic images by eminent international photographers.

Each chapter is followed by stimulating assignments and activities to get you thinking critically and apply theoretical knowledge to your own practical work. A helpful glossary provides quick access to all key terms and a substantial index references key words within the original essays which are not normally indexed.

A must-have aid to anyone studying critical theory, this book provides intelligently written, illuminating insights on the 21st century's dominant art form.

• Benefit from detailed summaries and stimulating discussion that cuts through the complexity of key critical theory texts
• Gives you confidence to tackle photographic theory and relate it to your own work, enhancing your creativity and understanding

• Explore fascinating issues including sexism, the effects of advertising, Eastern versus Western art and moral issues raised by photography

  "Summaries of key texts are followed by thought-provoking questions and practical assignments...the texts are well chosen." - www.photoarchivenews.com

  "It's perfect for those who want to understand key debates in photography." - Amateur Photographer

  "Ashley la Grange has written an excellent book which navigates through the context and meaning of photography...Every chapter in this book is filled with information on one aspect or another of photography and la Grange explores each aspect with lessons and questions which help the user understand and explore their own work within this context...It is a book which benefits from group use and review and one which should be on the recommended reading lists for all students of the medium...Highly recommended." - www.kickstartnews.com

  "while this volume is clearly designed to be a textbook (each chapter ends with a section called "Assignments/Discussion Points"), it makes a good introduction to theory for photographers looking to expand their understanding of their art form." - Photo Techniques, May/June 2006

  Autorentext
  Head of Photography at Rickmansworth School, UK. He is a consultant for exam boards in charge of deciding photography syllabi. He has a particular interest in demystifying critical theory.

  Zusammenfassung
  Enables readers to understand the debates in photography and learn how to apply the issues raised by critical theory to their own practical work. This book guides readers through a range of issues, including the differences between Eastern and Western art, post-modernism, sexism, and the relationship between photography and language.

  Inhalt
  Introduction; Aims of book; Berger's 'Ways of Seeing' - consumerism, sexism and distortion of artistic worth by capitalism; Formalist/realist approach - Szarkowski and Shore; Sontag's 'On Photography'; Roland Barthes, "Camera Lucida”; Martha Rosler; Solomon-Godeau 'Inside/Out' (in conjunction with Sontag and Rosler this section illustrates how arguments develop); Clive Scott, photography and language; Grundberg's 'The Crisis of the real' - postmodernism; Raghubir Singh, "River of Colour”; "The Adventures of a Photographer”, a short story by Italio Calvino; Haitian poem by Felix Morisseau-Leroy; Poem by George Szirtes; Case studies - advertising and photojournalism (not major sections); Appendixes; Glossary; Index; Reading list; Theoretical and practical assignments at the end of each chapter.