The Mental Image

The Mental Image is the latest book by Stephen Shore, one of the most influential photographers, writers, and teachers working today. Here, Shore turns to the inner life of images: how photographs are imagined, sensed, and carried in the body. Following on from The Nature of Photographs (2013) and Modern Instances: The Craft of Photography (2022), this richly illustrated volume brings together numerous anecdotes, influences, references, and teachings to show how visualisation, attention, and embodiment can fundamentally alter how we perceive the world around us. Both practical and philosophical, The Mental Image offers a luminous and disciplined approach to seeing, for photographers, artists, and anyone drawn to a deeper understanding of perception.