Why Photographs Work: 52 Great Images: Who Made Them, What Makes Them Special and Why

by George Barr

Every photographer, from weekend enthusiast to professional, can learn by studying the "greats". In Why Photographs Work, author/photographer George Barr analyzes 52 striking images by some of the world's top photographers. Accompanying Barr's analysis of each image is an explanation by the photographer describing the circumstances of making the image, including not only the how, but also the why. Also included is each photographer's biography, a reference to his or her websites and publications, and brief technical descriptions of the equipment used in making each image.

With guidance from Barr, we learn to decipher that certain intangible "something" that makes an image go beyond the ordinary. As we gain an understanding of and appreciation for the elements that make an image truly great, we are bound to improve our own images as well.

Included are images Cramer, Bruce Barnbaum, Harald Mante, Dan Burkholder, Nick Brandt, Hans Strand, Roman Loranc, Huntington Witherill, Susan Burnstine, Ryuijie, Beth Moon, Phil Borges, Shaun O'Boyle, David Ward, Michael Levin, Michael Reichmann, Michael Kenna, Cole Thompson, George Jerkovich, Bengt Ekelberg, Sandra Davis, Brian Kosoff, Joe Lipka, Gordon Lewis, Lawrence Chrismas, Craig Richards, and many more.

Genres: Photography, Art, Nonfiction

228 pages, Paperback

First published October 28, 2010

About the author

George Edward Barr was an American science fiction and fantasy artist.

Reviews

[Christel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quote Benjamin:

The choices for this book were fairly eclectic, and I loved that the author did not rely exclusively on professional photographers. I felt there were too many photographs and the analysis was often the same from one to the other. The personal aesthetic of the author became quite obvious about halfway through the book. I learned a few things and discovered some photographers whose work I'll likely follow. I know this book is about photographs themselves, but all of the photographs chosen for this book stood alone aesthetically. But I think there are many images whose effectiveness is enhanced when the theme or overall project is raised as part of the work. (less)

and add my comment

Thanks for the review, I felt exaclty the same about the choice of photographers in the book. However, the examples in the book are a good starting point for refelction about why I like or dislike a special picture, or photographer.

[Jonathan Carlaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still working my way though this one.
Each of the 52 images is handled in a similar way - the author talks about the image, his feelings about it and why he feels it to be great, then the photographer has a section to mention their views on the image, and photography in general.
It's definitely not a book to sit and read, but rather one to turn to from time to time, and see what the next image might be.
You may well disagree with some of the comments about the images, but that (to me at least), doesn't detract from the quality of the book - the author doesn't try and present his views as 'the only way', but rather as his personal opinion, and for me part of the interest is seeing in some detail how someone else approaches the various images.

[Benjamin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The choices for this book were fairly eclectic, and I loved that the author did not rely exclusively on professional photographers. I felt there were too many photographs and the analysis was often the same from one to the other. The personal aesthetic of the author became quite obvious about halfway through the book. I learned a few things and discovered some photographers whose work I'll likely follow. I know this book is about photographs themselves, but all of the photographs chosen for this book stood alone aesthetically. But I think there are many images whose effectiveness is enhanced when the theme or overall project is raised as part of the work.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was a difficult step for me at first, with a high concentration of photographs that were more artistic, nearly abstract. As I progressed I began to understand and "see" many of the concepts being shown, and I really started to enjoy the forms withing the photograph as much as the subject matter. I think that reading this immediately after Barnbaum's "The Art of Photography" expanded my horizons at a speed higher than experience would usually allow, and I can already see a great impact in the way I approach making images, and in enjoying images made.

[Hala · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book shipped to me by mistake instead of another book. Anyways, I decided to keep it. Before reading, I decided to check some of the reviews, which were mediocre so I was starting to feel underwhelmed that this book might be bad. What I learned is, always judge every book on your own. Turned out, I enjoyed reading the analyses of the selection of photographs by both the author and the photographers, found it pretty interesting. I think the selection of photos were not that fascinating, which I assume why many didnt like this book. Yes, there were a few boring-looking photographs but I didnt let that stop me from learning what makes it special and what the writer's take on it was. In fact, it pretty much did the opposite effect. I wanted to know why he selected these particular photographs. Some say the analysis of the photos are repetitive, didnt find this to be the case at all. I think this book deserves a chance either ways. When it comes to photography, one should have an open mind as well and learn about new perspectives.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is always interesting to me to read interpretations of photographs. Most of the images in this book are very different from the photographs I am used to looking at from friends and photographers I follow. Some of them I found myself wondering why they were included in this book at all. Some look like happy accidents (although the argument would be made that there is no such thing) and some just didn't stand out to me as an amazing photograph. Still, it was interesting to read the interpretations and the photographers' perspectives.

[Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

The subtitle is “52 Great Images: Who Made Them, What Makes Them Special and Why,” and this sums it up pretty well. Great book to read one photograph at a time. I recommend taking the time to explore each image and deciding what you like or don’t like about it, then read the author’s commentary and the photographer’s description to get two additional viewpoints. Great learning tool.

[Edward · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really excellent book for anyone trying to figure out what the difference is between a good and a great photo. Easy to read and fun to discover some really excellent photographers. It was written on 2011 so there’s a strong bias towards film, but there are some marvelous inclusions in digital. Perhaps my favorite was Susan Burnstine’s Bridge to Nowhere made with a homemade camera.

[Brian Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

“We live in an age where everyone is a photographer but few can see.” (p. 66)

So says George Barr, author of WHY PHOTOGRAPHS WORK: 52 GREAT IMAGES – WHO MADE THEM, WHAT MAKES THEM SPECIAL AND WHY; and that quotation is the rationale for this book. At times Barr’s dissections of some of the images seem a bit forced, and even contradict the explanations provided by the photographers themselves; but that is not the point of the book. Whether or not you agree with Barr’s analyses the goal for the reader is to not simple like to dislike an image, it is to take the next step: think deeply and articulate why you like or dislike an image. In that, Barr succeeds. I’ll close with one more quotation: “A good photograph explains, a great one makes the viewer ask questions.” (p. 200)

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the format of this book and love the sorts of details included about each photographer and photograph, I'm just not all that compelled by the selection of photographs presented in the book, so my motivation to read all those great details is very low. Shame.

[Dil7worth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mostly looked at the pictures wondering why the author liked them

[Edo · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for the chutzpah of this effort!! Which, for the most part, is a vision realized.