Critique
Critique (established 1999) is the regular Eye column by Rick Poynor.
A confederacy of lunches
A text-only book argues that ‘social’ photography is more about self-documentation than aesthetics. By Rick Poynor
Posters for the people
Photographs by the Polish designer Wojciech Zamecznik investigate the use of posters as public communication By Rick Poynor
Catalogue of things
A close relative’s colour slides show a densely layered record of everyday life. Photo Critique by Rick Poynor
From out of the blue
Volume one of Anna Atkins’ beautiful study of British algae, issued in 1843, was the first ever publication to be printed using photography.
Photo Critique by Rick Poynor
Awkward objects
The tradition of the painted still life has been reinvented by contemporary photographers with pictures that pose a puzzle and slow the viewer down. Photo Critique by Rick Poynor
Streets without people
Emigre’s Rudy VanderLans explores the clotted terrain of Tokyo’s Shibuya and Shinjuku districts with the eye of a graphic designer
Hole in the head
An artful book of deliberately torn, anonymous photographs from the Cold War era leaves many questions unanswered.
Photo Critique by Rick Poynor
Cinematic view
A recent edition of Aperture examines the enduring affinity between two art forms. Photo Critique by Rick Poynor
Twisting the alien
Set to minimalist techno, Arthur Jafa’s APEX is a cycle of images that illuminate the condition of black people within white-dominated culture. Photo Critique by Rick Poynor
Scenes from an imperfect world
Even Don McCullin expressed doubts about his photographs of war and suffering. What is their message today? Photo Critique by Rick Poynor