On Photography is a collection of essays and theoretical ideas that discuss the positives and negatives of photography, but mostly the negatives. In this way, it is a very biased work, and much of the opinion of the author is included.
One of the examples in On Photography is how the Farm Security Administration of the United States Government issued positive propaganda during the Great Depression. Images showing farmers with great harvests and yields went against what millions of other American farmers were experiencing. While this may seem upsetting, the administration was simply trying to lift the economy and spirits of the country, and in this way photographs can be used positively.
On Photography accurately explores and in-depth view of the 1970's through art and photography. Andy Warhol, a famous artist of the decade, is said to have painted a negative picture of 1970's America, at least according to Sontag. However, it was likely he was only following trends that had grown earlier, instead of setting them himself.
Throughout the book, Sontag explains that photography has man humanity less sensitive to real-world events. By describing how the inclusion of so many photos to show many negative things hurts peoples judgement, she comes to the somewhat valid conclusion that people have become less sensitive to issues.
Overall, Sontag gives an enticing idea of the negative effects of photography. However, there is room for improvement in factual endeavors - she continuously describes how authors and photographers paint America in an idealistic way, when she says it really isn't. However, for many of these photographers escaping from other parts of the world, America is much better, and the land of opportunity it claimed to be.
