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Occam's Razor: An Outside-In View of Contemporary Photography | 
| Author: Bill Jay
Publisher: Nazraeli Press
Category: Book
Buy Used: $78.45
Used (1) Collectible (1) from $78.45
Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 1089979
Media: Paperback
Pages: 144
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.2 x 5.9 x 0.6
ISBN: 3923922132
EAN: 9783923922130
ASIN: 3923922132
Publication Date: March 1996
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Excellent customer service. Order inquiries handled promptly.
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Despite the odd title, which refers to one of the guiding principles of scientific and philosophical inquiry, this is an accessible collection of essays, ideas, and personal experiences. As far as author Bill Jay is concerned, photography encroaches on all aspects of life, and he touches on a wide range of topics. He addresses young photographers in particular, whom he advises that "each photograph you take is like a pebble dropped into the pond of consciousness, its never-ending ripples lapping upon everything." The book is illustrated with Jay's wonderfully inventive montages of Victorian wood engravings, which alone are almost worth the price of the book.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 You're normal, the artist's statement was written by someone on drugs July 6, 2008
Michael Brochstein (New York, NY)
The next time you go to a gallery or museum to see a photography exhibit and can't make heads or tails of the artist's statement or the curator's description about the work (and you also speak the same language that it is written in) then read this book to feel better. Occam's Razor is a serious and well written critique of certain aspects of the world of Fine Art Photography, certain types of academic programs in photography and other related areas. An unusually entertaining and fairly quick read for a book on a subject like this.
 Thoroughly entertaining February 26, 2006
Il Bruce
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I bought this collection of essays for the title and its implications in connecting one of the core intellectual principles of science to photography. Bill Jay succeeds quite will in this endeavor through positive assertions of the value of the artisan and photojournalistic aspects of photography over "Fine Art" photography. However, the criticisms of "criticism" and other pseudo-intellectual posturing, including some very funny send-ups, dominated my reading and enjoyment of the book. A particulary acerbic example from a section of the essay "Madonna Made Me Do It" entitled "Get a Rap" goes as follows:
"Copy down a paragraph (any one will do) from a current critical theorist. Memorize it. Then, in front of the mirror, practice a halting, stumbling delivery with screwed-up face until you can recite it as if ther words were being laboriously dredged up from deep in your psyche with gut-wrenching sincerity."
The book was a joy to read and I recommend it to anyone who likes photography but isn't very fond of the blather that surrounds so much of it. The "woodcut" illustrations were a nice bonus.
 A few ideas but much rambling January 4, 2003
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
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.
Bill Jay: A Superb and Thoughtful Writer About Photography November 24, 2001
David Enzel (Chevy Chase, MD USA)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
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.
Must reading for anyone who thinks in images. August 9, 1999
jpf1@aol.com (Jon Fishback) (Pacific Northwest)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
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.
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