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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. An audience cares about the subject being photographed, yet wants little to do with the _______________.

2. Balzac was one of many philosophers who believed that photographs are somehow permanently invasive of the process of ________.

3. Photography freed ____________ from the reproductive arts, according to Sontag's writing in this book.

4. Photographs cannot ___________ of something and are therefore obviously reproductive or mimetic.

5. Some champion total self ____________ for the photographer in order to capture subjects in the way that makes sense for an audience.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are photographs considered to be a superior form of recording information, even more so than writing?

2. In 1839, why was photography briefly attacked by those in society, according to the history lessons of this chapter?

3. What kinds of subjects does it seem that painting and photography seem to favor, according to the argument in this chapter?

4. What does modern photography seem to say about this subject of the photograph and its importance?

5. Why is a photograph of an object a more reliable way of looking at an object, according to the text in this chapter?

6. What do some philosophers - namely Balzac - have to say about the idea or the act of taking photographs?

7. In order to avoid the over-exposure of beautiful things, what becomes necessary in relation to beauty?

8. What does the final chapter have to present about the idea of images in relation to reality, something which may not be fully supported by the text?

9. What do photographs do to reality, according to this final chapter of the book as written by Sontag?

10. What discussion does false photography illuminate in regards to the essential division in photography?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Poetry and photography are two pieces of art which are subject to interpretation. The author might have one intention, but the audience may find another.

Part 1: Why do you think photography is open to interpretation?

Part 2: Why do you think poetry is open to interpretation?

Part 3: Do you think poetry or photography is more open to interpretation? Why do you choose the answer you do?

Essay Topic 2

Sontag points out that some photographers are like scientists, documenting and examining the world.

Part 1: Why do you think photographers could be called scientists?

Part 2: Do you think photography is necessary in science? Why or why not?

Part 3: Why do you think it's important to document the world? Or isn't it?

Essay Topic 3

Sontag points out that most people either have a camera or have access to a camera, making them hard to avoid these days.

Part 1: Why do you think people are so interested in having cameras around?

Part 2: Do you have a camera? Why or why not?

Part 3: Do you think cameras will be more or less important as the years go on? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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