Visual Culture

`Visual Culture offers readers incredible riches. It contains a number of important articles on theoretical matters involving the analysis and interpretation of images and their culture, social and political dimensions. As such, it is a major contribution to our understanding of visual culture′ - Journal of Communication

"This collection of classic essays in the study of visual culture fills a major gap in this new and expanding intellectual field. Its major strength is its insistence on the importance of three central aspects of the study of visual culture: the sign, the institution and the viewing subject. It will provide readers, teachers and students with essential text in visual and cultural studies." 

-- Janet Wolff
Used as supplementary reading to support sessions on visual culture and the imperial gaze. -- Dr Anna Bocking-Welch * drupal *
This is a key text in cultural studies. It is an essential text for many of the modules I teach but, due to some changes in the teaching programme, this will not be an essential reading. Yet, I will be using this resource in future modules in global media, Theory and Analysis and Key Concepts in Media Cultures. -- Dr Chiara Minestrelli * drupal *
Excellent compendium of classic texts in one location. -- Dr Christopher Wilson * drupal *
A multiperspective book on photography, film and visual culture which surrounds us in our everyday life. Well selected key texts which may serve as a classical guideline of how to research in depth the field of visual studies. -- Dr Eckehard Pistrick * drupal *
This is a splendid collection of classic essays in the study of visual culture. It is a must for students (particularly postgraduate) and researchers in the fields of art history, cultural studies, film studies, visual semiotics, media studies, and visual culture, and to an extent, for anybody with an intellectual interest in the visual. Not only the selection of the material is excellent; its organisation is also remarkable, and allows for critical connections and discussions regarding the wide range of approaches and theories included in this book. -- Dr Ignacio Aguiló * drupal *
A basic text that I recommend to any student who seeks to gain an understanding of visual culture and its development. It is not easy to read for bachelor level students at our uni. But fitting for those who want to pursue the topic of convergence culture and esp visual culture. It is significant because it enables students to connect disciplinary fields and, hopefully, to reflect on what images do to us and just how they do it. -- Dr Lisbeth Frolunde * drupal *
This is a highly impressive edition of this reader which has become a classic in the field. The essays in this book range from the canonical to the contemporary. I do think that some of the chapters have been over anthologised, so perhaps future editions could consider removing works such as Benjamin′s Laura Mulvey′s as these appear in virtually every reader. -- Dr Paul Elliott * drupal *
The book covers diverse writings from leading scholars. Will be recommended reading for Cinema and TV students. -- Dr Sermin Tag Kalafatoglu * drupal *
This is a comprehensive and exciting collection of essays in the field of visual culture. However, the essays are too advanced for a textbook for a first year class, even though they would serve as a great resources. As such, I have put Visual Culture: A Reader on the recommended reading list, and have request a copy for the library. -- Dr Susan Pell * drupal *
Excellent range of topics covered.
Will be useful to students taking certain electives. -- Mr David Pope * drupal *
Excellent publication providing the key texts on visual culture. While many readers provide texts, this one seems to be able to focus on the most relevant ones, without being too narrow. -- Mr Eric Erbacher * drupal *
Visual Culture: The Reader is a comprehensive collection of essays by top scholars. It is well written and the structure of the book is clear and easy to use in course design work. To be used as obligatory reading in my course it is too broad, for visual culture is only one of the main topics in the class. However, I am going to recommend it as a source for students′ course essays, and it may be the main source for those students who decide to write about visual culture. I will also recommend the book for their masters′ theses. I consider the book as a valuable source for many kind of culture-related studies. -- Mrs Annamari Huovinen * drupal *
Brings together many diverse writings relating to the subject and provides the student and teacher with an invaluable resource. Great foundation text in the subject of visual culture. -- Ms Sinead Wall * drupal *
Essential seminal reading. -- Professor Beschara Karam * drupal *