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Rating: 
Summary: A few ideas but much rambling
Review: An uneven and loosely connected collection of essays on photography ranging from very instructive (the insight on the cultural context surrounding "The Family of Man" exhibit) to absolutely uninformative (the interview with Diane Arbus where much is made of her reluctance to speak but what is actually discussed after she relaxes & actually gets to talk remains a mystery. Likewise the interview with Bill Brandt where nothing is discussed).
The text is written in a very readable fashion but the style is patronizing and dominated by cliches and commonplace arguments.
In my view, many of the discussions address the concerns of teen-agers interested in becoming photographers. This is perfectly legitimate but it may put off readers who do not fall in this category.
3 stars for the truly informative discussion on Steichen's exhibit and for the lovely illustrations which together justify the purchase.
Rating: 
Summary: Must reading for anyone who thinks in images.
Review: For forty years I thought there was something wrong with me. I never understood the writing about the subject which is my life's blood. Bill Jay has given me a photographic rebirth. I now know the problem is not my understanding, but the esoteric babble of academic writers. I can not thank Bill Jay in the proper terms. --- Yes I may be able to. I will also pass the word.
Rating:
Summary: Must reading for anyone who thinks in images.
Review: For forty years I thought there was something wrong with me. I never understood the writing about the subject which is my life's blood. Bill Jay has given me a photographic rebirth. I now know the problem is not my understanding, but the esoteric babble of academic writers. I can not thank Bill Jay in the proper terms. --- Yes I may be able to. I will also pass the word.
Rating:
Summary: Bill Jay: A Superb and Thoughtful Writer About Photography
Review: This book is a companion volume to Bill Jay's book entitled "Cyanide & Spirits: An Inside View of Early Photography" which focuses on 19th century photography. Occam's Razor discusses 20th Century photography in a series of expertly crafted essays on a wide variety of subjects. One essay discusses disturbing images and is especially worthwhile in the aftermath of September 11th. Jay concludes that the "most disturbing subjects threaten our survival as a species." It took a lot of thought to reach this conclusion, which is well supported. I also enjoyed the essays on Diane Arbus, W. Eugene Smith and the explosion of the Hindenberg.Even if all the essays don't interest you this book is a must read because Jay writes so well and thoughtfully about photography. He is one of a rare breed.
Rating:
Summary: Bill Jay: A Superb and Thoughtful Writer About Photography
Review: This book is a companion volume to Bill Jay's book entitled "Cyanide & Spirits: An Inside View of Early Photography" which focuses on 19th century photography. Occam's Razor discusses 20th Century photography in a series of expertly crafted essays on a wide variety of subjects. One essay discusses disturbing images and is especially worthwhile in the aftermath of September 11th. Jay concludes that the "most disturbing subjects threaten our survival as a species." It took a lot of thought to reach this conclusion, which is well supported. I also enjoyed the essays on Diane Arbus, W. Eugene Smith and the explosion of the Hindenberg. Even if all the essays don't interest you this book is a must read because Jay writes so well and thoughtfully about photography. He is one of a rare breed.
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