Photography Theory

I am looking for books on the the theory of photography similar to Camera Lucida by Roland Barthes and On Photography by Susan Sontag. These are my foundation texts. Does anyone have any suggestions for something more contemporary? Particularly I am looking for something written after the digital age took over. Any ideas?

ions wrote in post #9252497
I am looking for books on the the theory of photography similar to Camera Lucida by Roland Barthes and On Photography by Susan Sontag. These are my foundation texts. Does anyone have any suggestions for something more contemporary? Particularly I am looking for something written after the digital age took over. Any ideas?

Not having read either of the two you mention, I cannot compare my recommendations to those two, but I can offer suggestions what I think you are interested in:

BIG + for the Freeman book, The Photographer's Eye. Very interesting, relevant examples and concise (though a little sparse) text. Well worth it and very valuable information. My shooting style is slow to change, so what this book has done for me is that it has made me a much better editor of my own work. After shooting, I am much more decisive on what shot to work on and what shots to forget, and more importantly, I know why.


Another recommendation is Perception and Imaging: Photography - A Way of Seeing by Richard Zakia. This it a little bit more scholarly than the Freeman book, delving more into perception, how we see, how the brain interprets and makes sense of what we see, and how to use that to create better photographs. (4 stars on Amazon, but clearly not for everyone, Eleven 5's, Two 2's and Two 1's - personally, I am in the same camp as the Eleven.)


Both of my copies are very well worn.

Rad

Thank you, the Richard Zakia book looks like it will be particularly useful.

World History of Photography by Rosemblum is useful for understanding the progression of photography. Good reference for further study of individuals and their work. Not alot on digi but the foundations laid out there are very important to understanding theory in my opinion.

Thanks, just picked up a copy of The Photographer's Eye

Sounds like your looking for history and theory. I've found these 2 interesting

Photographers - a sourcebook for historical research - by Carl Mautz publishing
and
Focal Encyclopaedia of Photography - Michael Peres