Looking at Photographs: 100 Pictures from the Collection of The Museum of Modern Art Paperback – March 1, 2009

I also came to know of this book from Mike Johnston's "The Online Photographer" blog. Reading this book is like having a personal non-hurried guided tour of 100 significant works at MOMA by an expert curator.The subjects of the discussion of each image is not identical for each one. In most discussions we learn about the history of the photographer. More words are probably used to discuss each photographer's history than anything else. The curator's discussion of why the image is significant, why it works etc, is less even with some images getting a greater discussion about this than others.If indeed I had had a long private tour of these images with Mr. Szarkowski I would have asked more questions about why the individual images "worked" than what the author covered in his discussions. OTOH, since I'm somewhat lazy about visiting museums (and I live in NYC!) reading this book is equal or better than a long day trip to the museum. I certainly came away knowing more than when I started this book.

I found the title and editorial description rather misleading: "A visually splendid album, the book is both a treasury of remarkable photographs and a lively introduction to the aesthetics and the historical development of photography."I found the book disappointingly short on the aesthetics part. The book contains 100 photographs and a short essay/note on each of them. Now, most of the text is actually about the background of the photograph. Mostly about the photographer and situation photographed and some on the printing process employed. Generally only the last paragraph is devoted to some comments on the image itself. I really expected to learn more about Szarkowski's thoughts on the images as such.The book is much better on the historical part. The essays are quite enjoyable and have given me a small background knowledge of the historical development of photography. There is something about the authors lucid style of writing that appeals to me, and seduced me to actually complete the read and rather enjoy it even though it turned out to be very different from what I expected.The historical part deserves a 5 star rating, however both the title and editorial description suggests a more comprehensive treatment of the aesthetical part. I therefore give it a 3 star rating.

"The critic's job is to place the particular example in the larger context." This book is a brilliant example. Szarkowski here lovingly selects one photograph from each of 100 photographers -- 100 photos from the MOMA collection -- to illustrate the serpentine history of photography. Some of the photos are extraordinary, others are mundane, but so is the chaotic field of photography. This handsome book hints at the depth and breadth of the solutions to the question of what is significant in pictures. I have poured over this book again and again. I have lent it to friends. I discover surprises every time I open it. You can read this book for the perceptive essays or you can just look at the pictures. This book satisfies on both counts.

The photos are important but the writing is the real star of the show here. Great at giving context for each individual image but also showing how things fit together in the bigger picture of the history of photography.

"The Online Photographer" tipped me off to this excellent book, and boy were they right.This book discusses 100 photographers (100 shots with no artist twice). They are in approximately chronological order. The author discusses why the shots are the way they are in terms of technological limits, expectations/assumptions/conventions of the time, and composition; though not often all three for a single photo.Following up on each photographer via wikipedia and image search was my roll-my-own version of a History of Photography. (but only up to 1969, which is the date of the last photo in this book.)When I started, I didn't know that this was what I wanted, but it was.

This is a scholarly work by Szarkowski which makes engaging and insightful reading. Each page is prefaced by a short essay, most of which relate directly to the image. Occasionally Szarkowski's narrative seems to veer from the topic, as if he has trouble in identifying what he has to say about the image. That critism aside, and it is a minor one, this book provides a marvellous insight into the creative photogaphic process, and has no real peers. The style contrasts sharply with that of Szarkowski's other, earlier work - The Photographer's Eye. Both extend our understanding and knowledge of art. The quality of reproduction is also good.

I got an undergrad degree in Photography and this is the best book I was ever required to read. I LOVE THIS BOOK!If you are serious about photography, get this book. If you want to understand more about photography, get this book. If you know a photo lover, get this book!One page is the image, the opposing page is a short essay on what is critically imporant about this photographer/image/style.Really - if you are thinking about it and going so far as to read these comments, you should just go ahead and buy this book.

Very nice photographic history; well presented and written with an active voice.-1 for the segmented feel, some descriptions are nondescript, i.e. there seem to be photographs that should precede the next but are not there.Most likely the missing photographs were part of someones estate, copyrighted and/or otherwise not available for publication in this compilation.

Fantastic insight into the history of photography and photographers throughout history. Worth every penny. The images are on approx A4 glossy paper. Nice explanations besides the images.

interesting images with informative narrative

Great read.

Really interesting, especially given it's pre digital position in the photographic timeline and some beautiful images.

Marvellous book.