Pourquoi photographier

American photographer Robert Adams has published several theoretical texts on the sidelines of his practice. Why People Photograph, published by Aperture in 1994, is one of his most influential critical works. Pourquoi photographier is the French translation with a preface signed by the author, specially written for this new publication.

Fourth title in the TXT collection dedicated to the various conceptions of the photographic image and the evolution of the medium, Pourquoi photographier brings a new look at photography and its pedagogy. It brings together a selection of essays on the works of several photographers including Ansel Adams, Eugène Atget, Dorothea Lange, Nicholas Nixon, Susan Meiselas, Michael Schmidt, Paul Strand, Edward Weston and their respective publications. The corpus of texts also covers different genres, eras and photographic subjects such as the experience of space in the American West among 19th century landscape painters, but also more concrete themes such as the relationships between collectors and photographers, or how to live from his photographic practice. Adams also addresses his favorite theme, which underlies all his work, that of environmental issues and the protection of the planet. These essays are illustrated with around thirty photographs and paintings reproduced in black and white.

In a direct style, free from academic jargon, the reader will appreciate Robert Adams’ attention to everyday experience, its little joys (an essay is devoted to dogs and photography) and above all to the importance of art in our lives.