Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/12/28
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]In a message dated 12/28/04 5:20:52 PM, lug-request@leica-users.org writes: > I've learned a lot from reading her and Walter Benjamin though Barthes is > beyond my ability to comprehend. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yes, Barthes is the philosopher I had in mind. He uses that French style which is offputting until you get used to it. He comes across as very partial to folk photography. A good counterweight to Sontag's first book -- not her second -- and Benjamin. We must remember that none of these authors were photographers. They were consumers and interpreters of photography. It's good to get feedback from the public, particularly by good writers who have some scholarly credentials. At least they have the tendency to get the facts right. I'll miss Sontag. She was earthy, knew how to use language, and set out the issues of her times -- whether or not we disagree with her. 71 is about the time that a good writer becomes ripe enough to really produce her best work. I'd say that's true of field photographers as well. I hope some provocative writer a la Sontag doesn't come along and give digital photography a black eye while it's grasping the bars of the playpen. That's all we need. Bob