Wow! I love your post, Neil! So much more comprenensive than mine. If I'd known you already posted about the book, I would have found a different subject. But I'm glad we agree on the importance of that monograph and Szarkowski.
Your approach to Szarkowski is refreshing. Love the man on the street interviews! A beer in plastic indeed! however...however...however....Ah, fuck it. I won't share my difference of opinion here with you/Szarkowski on the made/take arm wrestle. stay tuned for for a newsletter response later today, once I have my workout and coffee. It will be short, but telling. I may even include a quote from my spin class instructor. Not sure if she cares about photography, so i may have to ask her about the Mariners chances for the playoffs this year instead. i'll tie it all together somehow for you. start tuned, ak!
I don't know that I've fully come to your/Szarkowski's position yet, but this exercise of responding to your Substack has brought me closer. I still think that Szarkowski is overly reductionist in his assessment of photography, but he's generally correct in that the photographer captures a "real" moment, even if that moment was manufactured, or that moment couldn't be perceived by the naked eye, or by anyone other than the photographer. The original "reality" of the subject remains. I appreciate the exercise all this has given my brain matter.
This meditation on the photographer’s gaze is as much about seeing as it is about being seen. You articulate that sacred tension between observer and subject—how a single frame can hold both intimacy and distance, reverence and revelation. A reminder that the most powerful images aren’t taken, but received.
Essential reading! Interesting to see which examples you chose from the book (and, for me, where we overlap: https://neilscott.substack.com/p/the-photographers-eye-by-john-szarkowski)
Wow! I love your post, Neil! So much more comprenensive than mine. If I'd known you already posted about the book, I would have found a different subject. But I'm glad we agree on the importance of that monograph and Szarkowski.
Ha, thank you! I want to read this one next: https://fotologic.substack.com/p/mirrors-and-windows
Very interesting Alex. And thanks for summing it up in the end!
Thank you, Shital. I’m glad you liked it.
Thanks for the restack, Shital!
This is a great book Alex - you've done a good summary of the key points...now I'm off to dig it out from somewhere on my bookshelves!
Thank you, Lin.
Your approach to Szarkowski is refreshing. Love the man on the street interviews! A beer in plastic indeed! however...however...however....Ah, fuck it. I won't share my difference of opinion here with you/Szarkowski on the made/take arm wrestle. stay tuned for for a newsletter response later today, once I have my workout and coffee. It will be short, but telling. I may even include a quote from my spin class instructor. Not sure if she cares about photography, so i may have to ask her about the Mariners chances for the playoffs this year instead. i'll tie it all together somehow for you. start tuned, ak!
lol!🤣
I don't know that I've fully come to your/Szarkowski's position yet, but this exercise of responding to your Substack has brought me closer. I still think that Szarkowski is overly reductionist in his assessment of photography, but he's generally correct in that the photographer captures a "real" moment, even if that moment was manufactured, or that moment couldn't be perceived by the naked eye, or by anyone other than the photographer. The original "reality" of the subject remains. I appreciate the exercise all this has given my brain matter.
I’m happy to hear that my post got you thinking, Mark. Thanks for letting me know.
This meditation on the photographer’s gaze is as much about seeing as it is about being seen. You articulate that sacred tension between observer and subject—how a single frame can hold both intimacy and distance, reverence and revelation. A reminder that the most powerful images aren’t taken, but received.