• What was the Pictorialism Movement in photography?

Pictorialist photographs focus on altering the photography to increase its visual effect and impact on its audience. During their making process, photographer use techniques such as “soft focus, color tinting, composite images” and adding brushstrokes to create their work.  By doing this, photographers aim to make their work look like paintings. In fact, because of its similarity with painting during that era, it was the first photographic style critics considered a form of art.

  • What was the straight photography movement in photography? Why was it popular amongst photographers?

Straight photography was created after the pictorialist photography movement. Unlike pictorialist photography, it focuses on using the camera to produce photos that are detailed and sharp in focus. In other words, straight photography does not alter the image, either in the process or after the picture is taken. Photographers need to plan out their images before they pick up their cameras. Straight photography influenced contemporary photographs and continues to do so today.

  • How have Edward Weston and Aaron Siskind (above) been influenced by the Straight Photography Movement?

Edward Weston once stated, “Get your lighting and exposure correct at the start, and both the developing and printing can be practically automatic.” Inspired by the straight photography movement, he started sharpening his image for his work. Nowadays, he is known for his deliberate composition and detailed images “of natural forms” and “landscapes.” Moreover, Aron Siskind was also inspired by the straight photography movement. Different from Edward Weston, Aron Sikind focuses on combining the straight photography style with abstraction. He is actually the first photographer to do this.

  • What makes the work of contemporary photographers Andreas Gursky and Uta Barth abstract? Can they be classified as pictorialists or straight photographers? Explain your response.

Andreas Gursky is known for his intended zoom-out, tons of details, and wild use of color in his work. According to the photos he has taken, Andreas Gursky can be considered a pictorialist photographer. This is because he manipulates pictures after they are taken to form his ideal abstract work. Furthermore, Uta Barth is known for her use of light in her photographs. She focuses on utilizing light to play with human vision and makes her image intriguing to look at. One of the techniques Uta Barth often employs is blurring the camera, which makes her lean more to the side of being a pictorialist photographer.

Sources:

https://scalar.chapman.edu/scalar/ah-331-history-of-photography-spring-2021-compendium/dylan-lavigne-assignment-3

https://www.theartstory.org/movement/pictorialism/

https://www.theartstory.org/movement/straight-photography/

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Edward-Weston-American-photographer

https://www.theartstory.org/artist/siskind-aaron/

https://www.ideelart.com/magazine/andreas-gursky

https://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/barth/index.html

https://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/barth/explore.html