Review on Sontag's On Photography
Review on Sontag's On Photography Sontag insists photography is an aggressive act which makes reality atomic, manageable, denies interconnectedness and continuity, and confers on each moment the character of a mystery. Alienating us from direct experience, the photo provides a more intense second-hand experience, an illusion of knowledge A section at the end of the book collects several quotations on the topic of photography. Nonetheless, Sontag provides what could be the most conclusive understanding of On Photography's major themes. She writes near the end of the book, "The final reason for photographing everything is the reasoning of consumption itself. To consume is to burn, to deplete—and thus to require replenishment." So, photography is a truly capitalist art form, constantly creating more supply and demand with each shutter click. Is that, however, enough to elevate it to the same level as other types of art? Is it sufficient t...
