Susan Sontag Photography

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2. What makes great Photography?

Photographers work is often critiqued intensely, yet there doesn’t appear to be a structure in which it can be assessed against. This is an issue that Susan Sontag highlights by stating that “We already know that beauty, from the fine arts. Hence the formal qualities of style - the central issue in painting – are, at most of secondary importance in photography” (HARVARD REFERENCE, SUSAN SONTAG ON PHOTOGRAPHY PAGE 93) What this means is that we cannot judge photography with the same structural analysis that we do with other art forms, it is completely unique and thus requires it’s own critical method. Susan Sontag goes on to draw comparison between two photographers in her book. The work of Edward Weston and …show more content…
1. Torso of Neil (1925)

Fig. 2. Children Sleeping on Mulberry Street (1890)

The full quote has been included due to the perfect way Sontag has summarised the contrasting photographer’s images. The beauty really is in the eye of the beholder and with photography “we must either dismiss it or complete its meaning for ourselves.” (HARVARD REFERENCE) (JOHN BERGER – UNDERSTANDING A PHOTOGRAPH, PAGE 9 – OCTOBER 1967) In my own personal terms there are two opposing examples that I find profoundly beautiful. The first, taken by Richard Drew, is an image we have all seen in our lifetimes. Captured during the horrific events of the attack on the two World Trade Centre buildings in New York ‘The Falling Man’ is an image that has caused justifiable controversy and outrage. However, to me it is one of the most beautiful and powerful photographs ever taken. The pose of the man is calm; he is not panicked in his fall. His clothing is smart and untainted by the events of that day. Yet the thoughts that must have been racing through his mind, as well as the others that jumped, is incomprehensible. The reason this photograph is beautiful is due to the defiance and the courage of the man who leapt. Away from the burning smoke and screams of panic, away from the heat and with fresh air finally filling his lungs he must have felt as if he were free and flying, if only for the last few seconds of his life. He chose an alternative ending. One where he could have a moment of peace. This is beautiful
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