Publisher/写真評論社

Google翻訳
Photo critic Shinya Yoshimura is a critic who has devoted himself to examining and enlightening Japan's postwar photography culture, and has consistently questioned the significance of reading photo books. His essays, which go beyond superficial evaluations of artists and works, but also cover the composition, editing, and social background of the works, present a perspective that leads photography to be a medium that is "read" rather than "viewed." His criticism, based on sharp analysis and careful verification of materials, is full of the power to capture photography in words. This book, "Research on the Masterpieces of Contemporary Photography," is a representative collection of photo critiques by Yoshimura, published by Shashin Hyoronsha in 1970. It features 24 important photo books from Japan and abroad, and provides a detailed analysis of the works with illustrations. The works featured are all masterpieces that have made their mark in the history of photography, such as Robert Frank's "The Americans," William Klein's "New York," Kikuji Kawada's "Map," and Domon Ken's "Hiroshima," and each work is explained in detail, including its composition, editing, and visual flow. This book is a critique that also presents a way of reading photobooks themselves, and can be considered a guide to gaining a deeper understanding of photography as a visual art. Even now, more than half a century after its publication, it is widely referenced by researchers and photography enthusiasts as a classic text for discussing photobooks.