After seeing the cover for Ways Of Seeing I realized I have it back in store in Canada and just didn't get around to reading it yet. Should Nature Change by John Gossage is a staple in my collection and the Paul Strand book sounds absolutely lovely, something I would for sure enjoy, thanks for turning me onto it.
I recommend watching the four episodes on YT. They covered pretty much everything in the book. It really is an interesting way to look at oil paintings, advertisement and photography. I am still thinking about the points he made. The Paul Strand book is right up your alley. I am sure you would enjoy it!
I will have to check out the videos from Ways of Seeing, thanks for the link. I read it recently after it was recommended in a photography social media group that I follow. I struggled with it because for a book about art and relying on visuals- I found the layout/design of it did not work for me. Some of the formatting seemed like it was a mistake, and some of the artwork shown was too small to understand why they were included. I think I even disliked the typeface. Overall it was interesting and gave me a few things to think about but I quickly donated it, thinking I’d never refer to it again. Maybe the videos will help me appreciate it more. So many people seem to have been impacted by it, maybe I judged too quickly.
Mary, thank you for your thoughts. I know exactly how you feel about the book. I am still not sure about it. Some aspects are really interesting and a new way of looking at things and how they are connected. But I also find it a bit too narrow-minded if you know what I am. But I guess that is the way with art criticism. I found the layout terrible too. I guess the cheaply made design and quality is too make sure, the book can be made for the masses and not just for a few. But still. The videos helped me. They are not completely aligned with the book, but the overall thinking and theme is the same. Even after week, I am still wondering what to think of that book.
Good post, Susanne. I went to college with John Berger's son, Jacob Berger, but at the time I didn't realize how great his father was. I'm only discovering him now, and I'm 60. Oh, well.
Another book waiting for me is Selected Essays of John Berger, edited by Geoff Dyer. Can't wait to read it. And thanks for the link to the BBC doc.
You are very welcome. The John Berger book changed the way I look at oil paintings now. Very educational. The other two are pure visual pleasure of the mundane world around us. I love this kind of stuff!
Thank you dear friend for all of your lovely thoughts today on books you are enjoying. You are an inspiration to me as you know. May your beloved dog be well again soon and his eyes full of love and affection. My nephew has recently gotten the same breed and he is so in love with him. He named him Remington. Remi for short. I always enjoy your posts so much. Prayers and love. Sharon
Thank you, Sharon for your kind words. We hope it is nothing bad, just a lump. But we will know more next week. So thoughts and prayers are very appreciated. And how wonderful that you have now a Vizsla in your family! They are the best dogs in my opinion, but I am biased as you know! 😉
Thank you, Laura! My dog is feeling much better now, the wound is healing nicely. We now have to wait for the lab results and hope it isn‘t cancer. So, it is good to focus on something else in the meantime.
Ways of seeing opened my eyes (ha ha) to everything John Berger. I discovered him just a few years ago, but I go back to his books and essays with pure delight every time. "Bento's Sketchbook" is another favorite.
Yes, it was an eye-opener. As a self-taught artist I never really explored or thought about oil paintings in the way he interpreted them. Also his points how advertising plays into all of it. A really interesting ways to look at it. I just book „About looking“ too. Thanks for the tip of „Bentos Sketchbook“ - never heard of it before.
Berger sure has a lot of ideas. I guess its good to know that stuff. As Sonny Boy Williamson said: "don't start me talkin'..I'll tell everything I know!" Photog meetups and cocktail party chatter. Definite feel of "the academy". I liked Sontag's "On Photography". The two are similar. My taste runs more to the peculiar. The books by John Szarkowski are great, "Mirrors & Windows" etc. Check out Birney Imes' "Juke Joint" and Michael P. Smith's "Spirit World". That's my jam. Black bars and funky music spirituality. There's just soooo many great photo books! Shameless plug for my "Zydeco!" book here: https://www.amazon.com/Zydeco-Ben-Sandmel/dp/1578061164
It really makes the complex easy to understand. It also opened a way to look at oil paintings, advertisement and photography in a new way! It was a great lecture. Even if it is already 50 years old...
After seeing the cover for Ways Of Seeing I realized I have it back in store in Canada and just didn't get around to reading it yet. Should Nature Change by John Gossage is a staple in my collection and the Paul Strand book sounds absolutely lovely, something I would for sure enjoy, thanks for turning me onto it.
I recommend watching the four episodes on YT. They covered pretty much everything in the book. It really is an interesting way to look at oil paintings, advertisement and photography. I am still thinking about the points he made. The Paul Strand book is right up your alley. I am sure you would enjoy it!
Those videos are on my list for today ☺️
Then you should add this one too https://youtu.be/idG4toFb9m0. Joel Meyerowitz is reading his essay from the book „The Garden at Orgeval“.
Heaven, thank you! It's going to be to hot to be outside today so I need some new things to check out so thank you!
I will have to check out the videos from Ways of Seeing, thanks for the link. I read it recently after it was recommended in a photography social media group that I follow. I struggled with it because for a book about art and relying on visuals- I found the layout/design of it did not work for me. Some of the formatting seemed like it was a mistake, and some of the artwork shown was too small to understand why they were included. I think I even disliked the typeface. Overall it was interesting and gave me a few things to think about but I quickly donated it, thinking I’d never refer to it again. Maybe the videos will help me appreciate it more. So many people seem to have been impacted by it, maybe I judged too quickly.
Mary, thank you for your thoughts. I know exactly how you feel about the book. I am still not sure about it. Some aspects are really interesting and a new way of looking at things and how they are connected. But I also find it a bit too narrow-minded if you know what I am. But I guess that is the way with art criticism. I found the layout terrible too. I guess the cheaply made design and quality is too make sure, the book can be made for the masses and not just for a few. But still. The videos helped me. They are not completely aligned with the book, but the overall thinking and theme is the same. Even after week, I am still wondering what to think of that book.
Good post, Susanne. I went to college with John Berger's son, Jacob Berger, but at the time I didn't realize how great his father was. I'm only discovering him now, and I'm 60. Oh, well.
Another book waiting for me is Selected Essays of John Berger, edited by Geoff Dyer. Can't wait to read it. And thanks for the link to the BBC doc.
Cheers.
A small world it is! Enjoy the Video. Berger shares quite interesting views. Thank you for reading my newsletter!
Thanks for your review. I’m going to see if the library have these books.
You are very welcome. The John Berger book changed the way I look at oil paintings now. Very educational. The other two are pure visual pleasure of the mundane world around us. I love this kind of stuff!
Thank you dear friend for all of your lovely thoughts today on books you are enjoying. You are an inspiration to me as you know. May your beloved dog be well again soon and his eyes full of love and affection. My nephew has recently gotten the same breed and he is so in love with him. He named him Remington. Remi for short. I always enjoy your posts so much. Prayers and love. Sharon
Thank you, Sharon for your kind words. We hope it is nothing bad, just a lump. But we will know more next week. So thoughts and prayers are very appreciated. And how wonderful that you have now a Vizsla in your family! They are the best dogs in my opinion, but I am biased as you know! 😉
Please know my prayers are with Ben and your family for his improved health.
Thank you!
I want to thank you for taking time to write when your beloved dog has been ill.
I have none of the books you comment on but several sound very interesting. Laura
Thank you, Laura! My dog is feeling much better now, the wound is healing nicely. We now have to wait for the lab results and hope it isn‘t cancer. So, it is good to focus on something else in the meantime.
Ways of seeing opened my eyes (ha ha) to everything John Berger. I discovered him just a few years ago, but I go back to his books and essays with pure delight every time. "Bento's Sketchbook" is another favorite.
Yes, it was an eye-opener. As a self-taught artist I never really explored or thought about oil paintings in the way he interpreted them. Also his points how advertising plays into all of it. A really interesting ways to look at it. I just book „About looking“ too. Thanks for the tip of „Bentos Sketchbook“ - never heard of it before.
have you read any of robert adams?
Yes, I have! He is one of my favorites!
Berger sure has a lot of ideas. I guess its good to know that stuff. As Sonny Boy Williamson said: "don't start me talkin'..I'll tell everything I know!" Photog meetups and cocktail party chatter. Definite feel of "the academy". I liked Sontag's "On Photography". The two are similar. My taste runs more to the peculiar. The books by John Szarkowski are great, "Mirrors & Windows" etc. Check out Birney Imes' "Juke Joint" and Michael P. Smith's "Spirit World". That's my jam. Black bars and funky music spirituality. There's just soooo many great photo books! Shameless plug for my "Zydeco!" book here: https://www.amazon.com/Zydeco-Ben-Sandmel/dp/1578061164
It really makes the complex easy to understand. It also opened a way to look at oil paintings, advertisement and photography in a new way! It was a great lecture. Even if it is already 50 years old...