The collection explores the intersection of human memory and the static nature of the photographic image. George Szirtes utilizes the metaphor of the camera lens to examine themes of transit, impermanence, and the fragmented nature of identity. The poems track characters as they move through shifting landscapes, eventually becoming fixed within the poet's observational framework. The narrative structure is varied, incorporating both short, focused lyrical pieces and a sustained, long-form poem that anchors the collection in a specific historical and personal geography.

Readers and critics often note the technical precision with which Szirtes handles the relationship between visual media and verse. Discussion frequently centers on the effectiveness of the central metaphor, which allows the poet to capture fleeting moments of history and personal memory. The inclusion of the long poem Transylvana is often highlighted as a significant structural anchor that provides depth to the collection's broader thematic concerns. Critics observe that the work maintains a consistent balance between intimate personal reflection and broader historical observation, making it a notable entry in the Oxford Poets series.