Major Historic Photographic Movements

Major Historic Photographic Movements

Pictorialism

  • Pictorialism emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries striving to elevate photography to an art form.
  • Pictorialists manipulated their photographs in the dark room using techniques like soft focus, texture screens and handwork on negatives to make them more painterly.
  • Key figures include Peter Henry Emerson, Julia Margaret Cameron, and the Linked Ring group.

Straight Photography

  • In contrast to Pictorialism, Straight Photography focused on the medium’s ability to precisely depict reality.
  • Straight photographers strove for sharpness, high contrast, and precise exposure, avoiding manipulation in the darkroom.
  • This movement was promoted by Group f/64, which included famous photographers such as Ansel Adams and Edward Weston.

Street Photography

  • Originating in the early 20th century, Street Photography is all about capturing the human condition within public places.
  • Street Photographers often work in candid, unposed situations to capture life as it happens.
  • Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Doisneau, and Robert Frank are famed for their street photography.

Documentary Photography

  • Documentary Photography emerged in the 1930s during the Great Depression, aiming to promote social change by revealing the truth about living conditions.
  • Works in this genre are often stark, capturing poignant moments and narratives in society.
  • Dorothea Lange and Walker Evans were formative figures in this movement.

Surrealist Photography

  • Drawing on the wider Surrealist art movement of the early 20th century, Surrealist Photography explores the irrational and subconscious mind.
  • Surrealist photographers often use techniques like double exposures, collage, and photomontage to challenge reality.
  • Key figures include Man Ray, Maurice Tabard, and Dora Maar.

Modernism in Photography

  • Occurring from the 1920s to 1950s, Modernism in photography champions experimental techniques and abstract forms.
  • Modernist photographers often emphasise the formal aspects of composition: shape, line, form, and texture.
  • Paul Strand, Edward Weston, and Imogen Cunningham are key figures in this movement.