Photography: A Very Short Introduction

This short introduction of photography by Steve Edwards is an unusual and valuable book. Rather than giving us a chronological narrative of photography’s history (a worthless exercise because photography is changing rapidly), Steve Edwards approaches the topic from a social, historical and theoretical practice.
The book is short, but packs a wealth of information, and challenges us to view photography’s various roles in different aspects of life. He starts with placing photography in the context of our daily lives – family and professional – and discusses how photography has shaped the way we see the world.
Some themes:
- What is a photograph? Does it represent reality or our perception of reality?
- Photography and show more truth
- Photography as document and art
- Technology
- Photography and issues like our concept of pornography
- Photography in mass culture
There is much information that has been packed into this book and deserves several rereading. This book is targeted at those who wish to explore the philosophical aspects of photography and not for those who wish to explore the chronological or technical aspects. This aspect makes the book fascinating. show less

Excellent, a concise and thoughtful contribution that invites everyone with a camera to think harder about what they choose to photograph and why.

ספר קצר שמכיל הרבה. היה מרתק מאוד במיוחד בשבילי. גרם לי לחשוב על מספר נושאים בקשר לצילום שלא שמתי לבי אליהם עד כה כגון: היחס בין צילום כתיעוד וצילום כאומנות, צילום ואמת במיוחד בתקופה הדיגיטלית, צילום וזיכרון, צילום, פרספקטיבה טכנולוגיה ואנטומיה.