Reading.

Reading.

A Dream of England: Landscape, Photography and the Tourist’s Imagination. John Taylor.

Having read the essay, “Landscape for Everyone”, from, “A dream of England: Landscape, Photography and the Tourist’s Imagination”, I thought the book would be worth examining further.  It proved to be worth the effort.  

It gave a neat history of not only the mechanics of photography but also the social development and democratisation of it from early pioneers, using glass plates that produced themselves, through to Eastman Kodaks easy to use box cameras.  

The examination of the work by the then modern practitioners was also useful if somewhat dated.  We are now more used to seeing politicised images of ruined landscapes and don’t find them as challenging and shocking as perhaps we ought.

Since the book makes no challenge on the claim that the coal mining industry was ended by Mrs. Thatcher I would point out that more mines were closed under the stewardship of Harold Wilson.  Wilson 272 against Thatcher 154.  I show no source for this as neither did the claims in the book.

Although now dated I found the book an absorbing read and an interesting insight into how political photography can be.

The Photographers Eye. John Szarkowski.

It was good to open a book that presented brilliant images without further explanation.  All one gets by way of information is the title, the photographer and the date.  I particularly enjoyed the sections The Detail and The Frame.  

Too many photographers to name but not a poor print in the book.

Viewfindings. Women Photographers: “Landscape and Environment.    Editor Liz Wells.

First published in 1994 his book seems rather dated, reflecting as it does on attitudes of “them” and “us”.  I would hope that these boundaries, although still felt by some, have softened.  Ingrid Pollard’s section on the acceptance of black people seems particularly dated as this country has opened it’s doors to the world and people of different colours and beliefs can be found in every town and city and in all walks of life.

Reading this book has helped me in differentiating between masculine sublime photography and feminist picturesque photography. 

Landscape and Power. W. J. T. Mitchell.

I read this some time ago and on picking it up to record my thoughts I realised none of it had stuck other than a memory of a tough read.  Taking it with me to Spain next week for a re-read.

Seeing, Observing and Thinking.  August Sander.

One of my favourite photographers.  The way he engages with his subjects is lesson to all.  No flattery or pretence here, just honest portraits of real people. 

I noted that, with the exception of river boats, his landscape images show little human activity.  Roads and bridges are devoid of traffic and footpaths empty of walkers. These pictures are obviously well researched and beautifully taken.

Landscape and Western Art. Malcolm Andrews.

A very readable history of western landscape portrayal showing its progress from landscape images as background to religious and mythical figures to the wrapping of islands in plastic.  It introduced me to the work of Richard Long which led me to me led me to the work I submitted for Assignment Two where I took a walk round my home town taking a picture of whatever was in front of me at three minute intervals.  This may be the basis for a future submission using a camera mounted in my car.  I have already carried out a couple of dummy runs.

I’m a Real Photographer.  Keith Arnett.

Quirky and rather self indulgent by never the less interesting.  The sections on dog walkers and gardeners are very August Sander like with the subjects square on and looking straight into the camera.  Miss Graces Lane is great document and I am looking to use some similar ideas regarding the despoliation of my local beaches.