Product Description

Examining the themes of presence and absence, the relationship between photography and theatre, history and death, these 'reflections on photography' begin as an investigation into the nature of photographs. Then, as Barthes contemplates a photograph of his mother as a child, the book becomes an exposition of his own mind.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3333 in Books
• Published on: 1993-07-15
• Original language: French
• Binding: Paperback
• 144 pages

Review
Roland Barthes' final book - less a critical essay than a suite of valedictory meditations - is his most beautiful, and most painful Observer Of all his works it is the most accessible in language and the most revealing about the author. And effortlessly, as if in passing, his reflections on photography raise questions and doubts which will permanently affect the vision of the reader Guardian I am moved by the sense of discovery in Camera Lucida, by the glimpse of a return to a lost world New Society

About the Author
Roland Barthes was born in 1915 and studied French literarture and classics at the University of Paris. After teaching French at universities in Romania and Egypt, he joined the Centre National de Recherche Scientifique, where he devoted himself to research in sociology and lexicology. He was professor at the College de France until his death in 1980.

Customer Reviews

I'm sure it's very good if I could only understand it
This book was recommended to me by a philosopher friend who thought I might enjoy it as I'm about to embark on a photography course. I'm not a serious academic, but I'm not an idiot either and I have to admit I found this a pretty tough read. I understood the general meaning, but felt the language and structure of the book meant that I missed out on being able to really appreciate what seems like quite an exceptional piece of work with some fascinating alternate views. I'd do your research on Barthes before you buy this to determine whether you might or might not be comfortable with his style, otherwise, give it a go - might just take a couple of reads!

A Classic in the Theory of Photography.
Barthes wrote this book out of urge to discover the real nature of Photography. In the first part of the book he establishes his own system to do that. This system is based on two "cathegories" that Photography contains, studium and punctum. In the second part he wants to come closer to eidos, the nature of Photography. Therefor he takes one of his photographies, showing his mother as a child. Out of his emotions by this photography he builds the theory, often comparing it with another art, Film and sometimes also with Theatre. The book can also be recomended to wider public, not only philosophers, because it is written in a simple, understandable way, but is still opening some major questions regarding its subject.

a book about Barthes and not about photography
To get a feeling for this book read the most negative coments from reviews of his "Mythologies" and you'll be on the right track. Incorrect assertions are presented as fact. Incorrect conclusions are built on those assertions. Language is used to obfuscate rather than elucidate meaning (if you don't know those words don't even try to read Barthes). Actually, language appears to be used more to say "I am clever." Clever people communicate clearly, monsieur!

Unbearable, and you won't learn a thing about photography, which he more or less rejects in his opening chapters in favour of contemplating his own navel