Our first book in the Your Photo Tips Photography Book Club is Camera Lucida by Roland Barthes. In hindsight (which is of course 20/20) I could have gone with a book that was easier to consume, but that’s not really my style. One of the most important pieces of literature about photography Camera Lucida has also been highly criticized by many. Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with the philosophical views in the book it is important to note that these are the views of a man who was not a photographer himself and more importantly it was written by a man who causes you to think.
Written shortly after his mother’s death there is a very dark and mortal tone in this reading. Roland Barthes refers to life and death heavily throughout the book and the ongoing intermingling of those themes comes to a climax towards the end. This particular aspect of the book really grabs the reader in many ways. I found myself torn, often times within minutes, between feeling able to be one with the author then finding him alien. The roller coaster of emotions that are portrayed are symbolic of life itself as we grow, learn, reach, and find disappointment because of limitations caused by time and death. Does the photograph capture life, or does it capture death?
Barthes reaches controversy in Camera Lucida when he eludes to amateur photographers’ mastery of photography over the professional photographers. No doubt there were many professional photographers enraged by this conclusion therefore finding the book to be no more than the ramblings of a broken man. Admittedly I was taken aback, but held my emotions in check (as much as I could) as I continued on with the book.
I think Barthes got it wrong then, but does he get it wrong now? I think one could argue that with the price of quality photographic equipment in the price range of the average consumer we stumble upon much more than the ordinary when perusing through images online. Does more photographers (and easier sharing methods) mean we, as a community, are getting better? And if so, does that mean that the gap between quality from the “professional photographers” and the “hobbyists” is closing? Maybe he never had it wrong all along.
Aside from this website there are numerous other photography websites that aim at teaching “hobbyists” to better their photography. Hobbyists tend to use photography as a means of self expression as opposed to making money. Does this free them from the confines of “professional photography”? If so, does it then become more about the process than the product?
One of the best aspects of a book like Camera Lucida is that it raises more questions than offers answers.
So what did I get out of the book?
In reading Camera Lucida I stopped and reflected several times. I’m a fast reader so this was actually good for me. Similar to the difference in viewing photographs online and viewing printed photographs the book held my attention and caused me to reflect heavily on my own thoughts as well as interpreting the thoughts of the author. When I’m viewing photographs online I can sometimes find myself consuming them in mass quantities making snap judgements and deciding whether I like them or not at a mere glance. It’s truly a terrible practice. When viewing photographs in print, however, I consume the images with great care and deep thought.
After reading Camera Lucida I have taken a new aproach to both my photography and my viewing of photographs. I couldn’t have asked for more. So perhaps this was the perfect book to start the Photography Book Club after all.
If you are interested in purchasing this book it can be found at amazon here
In this week’s edition of Weekend Perusing I will announce the new book for the Your Photo Tips Photography Book Club. If you have suggestions feel free to leave them in the comments or use the contact form.
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“Hobbyists tend to use photography as a means of self expression as opposed to making money. Does this free them from the confines of “professional photography”? If so, does it then become more about the process than the product?”
Great observation and queries. I would say “Yes” to both. I know I find much more enjoyment from my photography when I’m freed from the confines of them being “others” photographs. Less pressure, as it were, I think.
I look forward to reading this. Thanks for the review.