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The Critical Eye

Fifteen Pictures to Understand Photography
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Critical Eye offers an in-depth exploration of photography through detailed analyses of fifteen significant photographs. Lyle Rexer examines these works within their historical, generic, biographical, and aesthetic contexts to reveal insights into the history, development, and present state of photography. Featuring photographers such as Roland Fischer, Myoung Ho Lee, Zanele Muholi, and Ernest Cole, the book discusses key photographic issues including authorial intent and audience engagement, bridging traditional photography history with contemporary practice.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$5599
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for students, scholars, and enthusiasts of photography and visual culture, as well as anyone interested in developing a more thoughtful and critical approach to viewing photographic works.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Critical Eye provides a comprehensive approach to the critical understanding of photography through an in-depth discussion of fifteen photographs and their contexts—historical, generic, biographical, and aesthetic. Lyle Rexer argues that by concentrating on just a few carefully chosen works, it is possible to understand the history, development, and contemporary situation of photography.

Looking at images by photographers such as Roland Fischer, Myoung Ho Lee, Zanele Muholi, and Ernest Cole, The Critical Eye addresses a wide range of issues involved in photography, from authorial self-consciousness to the role of the audience. With every chapter, it seeks to link the history of photography to current practice.

Series: Investigations of Lens and Screen Arts

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  • The Critical Eye
    The Critical Eye provides a comprehensive approach to the critical understanding of photography through an in-depth discussion of fifteen photographs and their contexts—historical, generic, biographical, and aesthetic. Lyle Rexer argues that by concentrating on just a few carefully chosen works, it is possible to understand the history, development, and contemporary situation of photography. Looking at images by photographers such as...
    Paperback
    $5599
    Available
    Ships in 3-4 weeks
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    Paperback
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

"It seems to me just what photo history needs now. People have forgotten how to look at photographs, so I applaud the concept, as well as the spot-on topics." – Stephen Pinson, curator, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Rexer challenges readers to truly understand photography by focusing on selected images, inviting us to stop and deeply engage with photographs rather than passively consume them. The book encourages critical and sceptical viewing, exploring how photographs function and how we interpret them, making it a key contribution to photographic discourse.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781783209842

Publisher: Intellect

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 15 September 2019

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Intellect Books

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 220.0mm

Height: 220.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 152

About the Author

Lyle Rexer is a writer, curator, critic and columnist, as well as a course leader at the School of Visual Arts. As well as being the author of numerous books on photography, he has also contributed to The New York Times, The New Yorker, Damn Magazine and Photograph Magazine. Lyle is the recipient of various prestigious awards, including the international Rhodes Scholar award.

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