Photography: A very short introduction by Steve Edwards

Book review

When a book has "Photography" stamped on the front of a title page, it's easy to assume that its going down the "how to" path, while sharing all the tricks of the trade on how to take the next best photo, however Steve Edwards dives a bit deeper than that. This short little (travel friendly) book , is densely packed with information provided by Edwards' thorough knowledge of photography and its beginning. While also debating, and explaining styles of photography and their meaning, all from a theoretical and somewhat philosophical standpoint.

Photography: A very short introduction is a book written by Author Steve Edwards who is a research lecturer in History of art at the Open University. Edwards has also published other photography related books such as "The Making of English Photography: Allegories" which primarily examines the development of English photography as an industrial, commercial, and artistic enterprise. However if someone was to join in with the practice, I wouldn't recommend the latter, only being that "Photography" touches on a wider range of topics with the general idea of photography in mind, rather than just one specific area.

So let's talk about the content. This pocket book consists of 6 chapters of which some go hand in hand. Chapter 1: Forgetting photography, I found this chapter to be a captivating way of introducing us to photography through the theme of 'forgetting'. It depicts a world without photography and the consequences of such phenomenon. How art and photography cannot be compared or used for the same purposes, and he breaks that down quite endearingly whilst also using some interesting facts. Edwards quotes, "Moving subjects can only be reproduced as an artists impression (it took photography to establish how a running horse plants its feet)". Nonetheless, the first chapter was thought provoking and effectively makes you appreciate how much this medium has opened doors for new knowledge and stability. Chapter 2 and 3 are complimentary to each other, providing a survey of issues and themes associated with the division between 'documents' and 'pictures'. In these chapters, Edwards discusses the two in depth along side a lot of historical background and the progression of both 'styles' alike. By the term 'pictures' Edwards is realistically referring to art-photography, which in this part of the book he breaks down on the vast contrast between document-styled (not documentary, he explains this later in the chapter) and creative-driven content. It was interesting to learn about how much the perspective of people and different cultures have changed on both types of photography over time. Then you have chapter 4 and 5, which further discusses the same topics but with more theoretical emphasis. What I liked about these chapters is that they extensively explored the debate whilst borrowing from other disciplines, of course history, then philosophy, sociology, photography, as well as other forms of art. This chapter makes you really think about what photography truly represents. Lastly you have chapter 6, a separate topic, that ironically goes all the way back to basics, the uses of photography. Edwards simultaneously advances thoughts on "commodity, culture and memory" as he mentions in his preface. This chapter was almost like a snap back to reality, as so far you've been reading on mainly chemical and analogue photography, Edwards finally mentions digital. Reading this you learn of everything digital, the impact the introduction of digital photography made in the photography world, not only that, but how it challenges old premises of what photography really means and if modern photography truly counts as "authentic" photography. By the end of this chapter, my head hurt a little.

Now the question is, would I recommend it? The answer is, yes if you value theory and enjoy photography, and no if you just want to learn how to take a great landscape picture. Steve Edwards made a pretty good 101 book on everything photography is on a deeper level. Whilst reading you will find yourself wanting to join in on the argument and opening up to new perspectives, and then every so often you will flip a page onto a photograph that aligns to what he is currently discussing, although not printed very well, you quickly realise that it's not there to stand out or look good, but to give reference to what Edwards is talking about. This book does consist of a lot of historical and factual evidence, which at times can allow for a slower read, and easy to lose focus, and found that it somehow lacks a kind of descriptive information that is needed to make a modern reader spellbound and hooked to the subject.The flow of ideas is slightly messy, as I also struggled to follow along with the authors thought process and found myself having to go back and read certain paragraphs again to piece the ideas together. If you can focus hard and think intently, then this might be the book for you. Besides that personal flaw, the book is packed with good ideas and information in a modest amount of space.