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June 11, 2023

Diana & Nikon: Janet Malcolm's Masterpiece on the Beauty and Complexity of Photography

Here is the outline of the article: # Diana & Nikon: Essays on the Aesthetic of Photography by Janet Malcolm ## Introduction - What is the book about and why is it important? - Who is the author and what is her background? - What are the main themes and arguments of the book? ## Chapter 1: Assorted Characters of Death and Blight - How does Malcolm analyze the works of Diane Arbus, Robert Frank, and Garry Winogrand? - What are the ethical and aesthetic issues raised by their photographs? - How do they challenge the conventions and expectations of photography? ## Chapter 2: Men Without Props - How does Malcolm compare the portraits of Richard Avedon and Irving Penn? - What are the differences and similarities between their styles and techniques? - How do they reveal the personalities and identities of their subjects? ## Chapter 3: Diana and Nikon - How does Malcolm explore the phenomenon of the Diana camera and its influence on photography? - What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a cheap and simple camera? - How do Diana photographs create a distinctive aesthetic and mood? ## Chapter 4: The Woman Who Hated Women - How does Malcolm examine the life and work of Julia Margaret Cameron? - What are the challenges and achievements of Cameron as a female photographer in the Victorian era? - How does Cameron's photography express her personal vision and emotions? ## Chapter 5: The Masked Ball - How does Malcolm critique the photographs of Edward Weston, Alfred Stieglitz, Paul Strand, and Ansel Adams? - What are the characteristics and limitations of their modernist approach to photography? - How do they use abstraction, composition, and light to create artistic images? ## Chapter 6: The Impossible Profession - How does Malcolm discuss the role and responsibility of the photography critic? - What are the criteria and methods for evaluating photographs? - How does Malcolm reflect on her own experience and opinions as a critic? ## Chapter 7: The Last Photographs of Diane Arbus - How does Malcolm revisit the works of Diane Arbus after her suicide? - What are the changes and continuities in Arbus's late photographs? - How do they express Arbus's psychological state and artistic vision? ## Chapter 8: Sally Mann's Family Pictures - How does Malcolm review the controversial photographs of Sally Mann's children? - What are the ethical and legal implications of photographing one's own family? - How do Mann's photographs challenge and subvert the stereotypes of childhood and family life? ## Chapter 9: E.J. Bellocq's Storyville Portraits - How does Malcolm interpret the mysterious photographs of E.J. Bellocq's prostitutes in New Orleans? - What are the historical and social contexts of Bellocq's photographs? - How do they reveal the humanity and dignity of their subjects? ## Chapter 10: Andrew Bush's Interiors - How does Malcolm appreciate the photographs of Andrew Bush's richly detailed interiors? - What are the aesthetic and narrative qualities of Bush's photographs? - How do they invite the viewer to imagine the lives and stories behind them? ## Chapter 11: Painting into Photography - How does Malcolm explore the relationship between painting and photography as art forms? - What are the influences and interactions between painters and photographers throughout history? - How do they differ and complement each other in terms of expression, representation, and meaning? ## Conclusion - Summarize the main points and insights of the book - Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of Malcolm's essays - Explain why this book is relevant and valuable for anyone interested in photography ## FAQs - Q: Where can I find a PDF version of this book online? - A: You can download a PDF version of this book from Google Books . - Q: Who is Janet Malcolm and what are her other works? - A: Janet Malcolm is a renowned journalist, writer, and critic who has written for The New Yorker since 1963. She is the author of several books, including The Journalist and the Murderer, The Silent Woman: Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes, and Two Lives: Gertrude and Alice. - Q: What is the Diana camera and why is it popular among photographers? - A: The Diana camera is a plastic toy camera that was produced in Hong Kong in the 1960s. It is known for its low quality, light leaks, and unpredictable effects that create dreamy and lo-fi images. It has been used by many photographers, such as Andy Warhol, David Hamilton, and Nancy Rexroth, as a creative tool and a counterpoint to the perfection of digital photography. - Q: What are some of the ethical and aesthetic issues raised by photography? - A: Some of the ethical and aesthetic issues raised by photography include the consent and privacy of the subjects, the manipulation and editing of the images, the representation and interpretation of reality, the originality and authenticity of the photographs, and the social and cultural impact of photography on society. - Q: How can I improve my photography skills and knowledge? - A: You can improve your photography skills and knowledge by practicing regularly, experimenting with different cameras, lenses, settings, and techniques, studying the works of master photographers and critics, reading books and magazines on photography, taking courses or workshops on photography, joining online or offline photography communities, and sharing your photographs and feedback with others.