Photography Degree Zero

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Roland Barthes's 1980 work is a seminal text on photography, introducing the concepts of studium and punctum, which have become essential in photographic discourse. His insights into photographic time and the connection between photography and death have influenced discussions extensively. The anthology, Photography Degree Zero, expands on Barthes's legacy by presenting diverse perspectives on his influential book. The title connects Barthes's earlier work, Writing Degree Zero, with his final exploration of photography. This collection features essays written shortly after the original publication, alongside more recent interpretations, some of which are previously unpublished. Contributors employ various approaches, including psychoanalysis, drawing on Lacan, and Buddhist perspectives, likening the photographic flash to a mystic's revelation. The anthology also offers a historical overview of Barthes's writings on photography and examines the reception of his work. Additionally, it includes analyses of Camera Lucida through the lens of race and presents a thought-provoking essay by Michael Fried, along with two responses to his arguments.